SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2002-- Covad Communications (OTCBB:COVD - news), the leading national broadband services provider utilizing DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology, applauded Senator Ernest Hollings on his introduction of the "Broadband Telecommunications Act of 2002."

The bill addresses the challenges of rural broadband deployment, which has been one of the most controversial issues facing the industry. Instead of allowing the phone companies to regain their monopoly status as proposed by other prominent broadband bills, Chairman Hollings' proposal would spur rural deployment in a way that would encourage fair competition among broadband providers and ensure choice for consumers. The bill would make federal loans available to fund deployment of broadband-enabled remote terminals in rural and under served areas and ensure that those remote terminals would be available to all competitive broadband providers.