Republican politicians are seeking to carry out a major overhaul of the rules governing the US phone, TV and Internet sectors after winning control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Updating the Communications Act is understood to be a key priority for Senator John Thune who is expected to take the reins of the influential Commerce Committee in 2015.

The legislation was first enacted in 1934, and last updated in 1996, before the availability of high-speed broadband and the emergence companies such as YouTube, Netflix and Skype.

“Sen. Thune looks forward to working with his counterparts in the House to explore ways to update and modernise our nation’s communications laws and maintain a light regulatory touch for the Internet,” commented Thune’s Communication Director AshLee Strong.

“We want to take action. We want to get some documents out there for people to be talking about,” said David Redl, Counsel to the House committee.

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