US Telecommunications Reform Act

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 overhauled US telecommunications law for the first time since 1934. President Bill Clinton signed the legislation on February 8, 1996. The Act allowed cross-market competition, reduced regulatory barriers, and required incumbent telecommunications companies to share networks with competitors. It relaxed media ownership rules and included Communications Decency Act provisions, parts of which the Supreme Court later struck down. The Act led to industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions.