Capitol Update piece on telecommunications issues, noting that Sen. Olympia Sn

Capitol Update piece on telecommunications issues, noting that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine) are in the midst of the battle over reauthorization of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Snowe said the legislation was held up last year over the issue of net neutrality, federal rules that mandate that all companies have and businesses have equal online access. Snowe said that without such regulations, average Internet users and small business would be disadvantaged. Allen is vowing to object to any action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allowing further consolidation of media ownership. Allen is also in favor of a provision, authored by Snowe, that would push to expand broadband access in rural areas through the Universal Service Fund