Lawmakers develop consensus compromise approach—Legislature votes overwhelmingly in favor of special session bills SB 13/AB 14
For more information contact:
Cindy Tomlinson, Associate Manager-Public Relations
TDS Telecommunications Corp.
608-664-4471 / cindy.tomlinson@tdstelecom.com
MADISON, Wis. (May 11, 2011) — Today, the Wisconsin State Legislature took decisive and overwhelming action, passing special session bills SB 13/AB 14, legislation focused on streamlining existing telecom regulations in the state of Wisconsin.
The following statement can be attributed to Drew Petersen, vice president of external affairs and communications for TDS Telecommunications Corp.:
“Today, state policymakers, in a special session on job creation, recognized the important role telecommunications plays in spurring economic growth, job creation and consumer choice in our state. This legislative reform action, referred to as the Telecommunication Modernization Act of 2011, was developed and championed by Governor Walker, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Senator Zipperer, Senator Harsdorf, Assembly Speaker Fitzgerald, and Representative Honadel. These leaders, along with numerous, economic development focused legislators, from across the state, delivered on the promise of bringing our communications laws into the digital age.
“To that end, the bi-partisan legislative approach crafted toward streamlining outdated and unnecessary regulations on telecommunications carriers, creating new product bundles and services for residential and business customers, and fostering greater competition in Wisconsin gets a step closer to public law.
“Badger state legislators, on both sides of the aisle, who have been actively involved with the negotiations, improvements, and refinements made to SB 13/AB 14 should be commended for taking the strides necessary for getting Wisconsin’s economy back on track. We are hopeful the resounding votes in favor of telecommunications modernization helps this legislation become law — with deliberate speed. TDS looks forward to Governor Walker’s careful review and signature of this important public policy and economic development matter.”
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As the eighth largest telecom provider in the U.S., TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) connects people with broadband Internet, phone, and TV entertainment services in hundreds of rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities in 30 states. With more than 40 years of experience and 1.2 million equivalent access lines in service, customers can select from the latest technologies, including: VoIP (managedIP) phone service, dedicated Internet, data networking, and hosted-managed services.
TDS Telecommunications Corp. also manages the data center operations of VISI Incorporated and TEAM Companies, specializing in colocation, cloud computing, and disaster recovery solutions for businesses of all sizes. In total, approximately 2,700 people work for the companies both in local communities and at TDS’ national headquarters in Madison, Wis. Visit http://www.tdstelecom.com, http://www.tdsbusiness.com, http://www.visi.comand http://www.team-companies.comfor more information.
TDS Telecommunications Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS, TDS.S] Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., a Fortune 500® company, provides wireless, local and long-distance telephone, and broadband services to nearly 7.1 million customers in 36 states through TDS Telecommunications Corp. and U.S. Cellular [NYSE: USM], its 83-percent owned wireless subsidiary. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, Telephone and Data Systems employed 12,100 employees as of March 31, 2011. Visit http://www.teldta.comfor more information.
