Oklahoma House passes high-speed Internet regulation bill

<br>(Oklahoma City-A-P) -- The Oklahoma House Monday gave final approval to a bill that supporters say will expand high-speed Internet services in the state. <br><br>The bill prohibits the Oklahoma Corporation

Monday, April 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-A-P) -- The Oklahoma House Monday gave final approval to a bill that supporters say will expand high-speed Internet services in the state.

The bill prohibits the Oklahoma Corporation Commission from regulating a high-speed Internet access provider unless all high-speed Internet providers are regulated. The commission currently regulates Southwestern Bell's Internet service, but doesn't regulate wireless or cable Internet providers.

Southwestern Bell Oklahoma president Jim Epperson says the bill allows Bell to expand its Internet access service known as digital subscriber lines, or D-S-L. The digital lines allow Internet speeds up to 200 times faster than a dial-up modem.

Representatives voted 83-to-4 for the bill, sending it to the governor for his signature.