More choices, better services

To the editor:Like most folks, I understand how important the idea of choice is to what it means to be an American. We have the freedom to do pretty much anything we want with anyone we want to anywhere we want to. The availability of choices means that we don't have to settle for one or two types of goods and services. Instead, we have lots of different types of goods, varying in quality and price, in turn forcing companies to constantly reinvent their products and services in order to stay competitive with each other. The discovery of new and emerging technologies further increases the availability of choices to consumers, driving down prices while increasing the level and quality of service. Voice over the Internet protocol (VoIP) is a great example of this, an emerging technology that allows consumers to access video and phone services over the Internet at greatly reduced rates over current service providers.

The Missouri Senate is debating Senate Bill 284, the Video Franchising Bill. Among other things, SB 284 is supposed to institute a regulatory structure that ensures a level playing field. Currently, though, there is no wording to promote more phone competition by promoting VoIP. I encourage state Sen. Jason Crowell to support adding VoIP into the legislation to promote more competition in phone service.

LUCAS PRESSON, Cape Girardeau