In an attempt to reign-in the explosion of telecommunication technology, congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This massive act comprehensively addresses virtually every current aspect of telecommunications. It is the first major telecommunications legislation enacted since the Communications Act of 1934, which essentially established the air waves as public property, regulated by the government.         Major provisions in the media include major restructuring of the telephone industry, deregulation of the cable industry, and limitations in content of …showed first 75 words of 1816 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1816 total…conclusion, as the world becomes increasingly digital, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 will show its power as a living document that recognizes this. All intellectual property can be easily digitized, if it wasn't created in digital format, and be sent across the internet. It is important for us, as a society, to protect our identity and commerce, both of which are increasingly reliant on the internet. The Act is a general step in the right direction.