Senate confirms Adelstein as FCC Commissioner

The Senate last night confirmed by voice vote the appointment of Jonathan Adelstein to fill the vacancy on the Federal Communications Commission created when Commissioner Gloria Tristani resigned 14 months ago.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps referred to the commission's burden of having to work short-handed for more than a year as the lengthy process to fill the vacancy ensued when he issued a statement on Adelstein's confirmation today.

"I am also happy for the Commission, because we not only get an exceptionally fine new colleague, but we also will be up-and-running at full complement and in the way intended by the statutes that guide us. It's a happy day for me and for the Commission," Copps said.

All factions of the telecom industry hailed Adelstein’s confirmation. U.S. Telecom Association President Walter McCormick said Adelstein’s appreciation for the challenges facing rural communities – he was a long-time aide to Sen. Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., who presented Adelstein to fill the vacancy – “make him a strong advocate for rural America on the commission.”

Herschel Abbott, vice president governmental affairs for BellSouth agreed saying, “his many years of experience in telecommunications as a legislative assistant in the Congress, and especially his focus on rural issues, will be particularly valuable in his new job. BellSouth has more rural customers than any other local telephone company, and they too should benefit from his special expertise.”

Competitive Telecommunications Association President Russell Frisby called Adelstein a welcome addition to the FCC. “His personal commitment to bringing the benefits of competition to rural America will play a role in the challenges now facing the FCC, particularly with regards to broadband deployment and development, access to the public network and enforcement of the rules,” Frisby said.

Robert A. Curtis, senior vice president, strategic planning, for competitive carrier Z-Tel said, “The FCC is at a critical juncture on its unbundling and universal service rules, and there is no doubt that Mr. Adelstein's voice and influence will be heard and felt.”

Thomas Wheeler, president of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association called Adelstein “ the poster child” for Congress’s vision of a competitive telecommunications industry. “He’s been working for years to help deliver the competition and innovation Congress envisioned in the 1996 Telecom Act,” Wheeler said. “We have worked closely with him during his tenure on the Hill and look forward to continuing this good work in his new role.”