USTA launches ads backing reform

The United States Telecom Association has launched an ad campaign intended to raise public support for telecom reform that would reduce regulation of its member telephone companies.

The USTA said today that its first TV ad will begin running nationally and can be seen at www.usta.org, and that print and radio ads will follow.

The 30-second spot is intended to be humorous and shows an older man in a suit telling younger consumers what they can eat, how to get their hair cut and what shoes to buy. The message is that the government shouldn't be telling consumers what their choices in telecom services should be either.

"By updating our telephone laws, you--not the government--can be in charge," the ad states. "Communications your way. Now that's the future. Faster."

The ad doesn't ask consumers to take any specific action. Walter B. McCormick, Jr., president and CEO of USTA, said in a prepared statement that USTA believes " the American people want their representatives in Washington to RSVP on behalf of consumer choice in today's competitive marketplace."