February 28, 2002 -- "Today's vote on the Tauzin-Dingell Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives should be of no surprise to anyone who has been closely following the debate," said Dan Moffat, president and CEO of New Edge Networks. "Most observers fully expected the measure to pass in the House and they acknowledge a formidable challenge -- if not certain death -- in the U.S. Senate."

"We will continue to educate the Senate membership on the frightening effects of this legislation," said Moffat. "This measure cuts out the heart of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, threatens to kill off existing competition from upstart companies like New Edge Networks, and stifles broadband deployment in rural America. Unfortunately, the uncertainty cast by the lingering debate over the past year, adds to the Telecom downturn. It is time let the competitive forces that currently exist play out in the open marketplace and not in the Halls of Congress."

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