By Walter S. Ciciora, Ph.D.
The 1996 Telecommunications Act included SEC. 629. COMPETITIVE AVAILABILITY OF NAVIGATION DEVICES, also called the "Bliley Amendment" after its author, Congressman Bliley. The potential of substantial hazards has been created. The danger exists that a) consumers will be confused and purchase devices that fail to meet expectations, b) the technical integrity of services will be impaired, c) reception of signals on other receivers in the home will be degraded, d) interference will be caused to other subscribers, e) signal leakage will hamper legitimate uses of the over-the-air spectrum, and f) economic waste will result. With adequate care, many of these hazards can be minimized and the consumer offered choices. Accomplishing this will not be easy.