The sweeping nature of the telecom reform measure introduced yesterday by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) may reduce the chances that a national video franchise bill passes this year.

Stevens’ measure is much more comprehensive than the measure sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), which passed the House Commerce Committee last week, addressing broader issues such as the Universal Service Fund, first responder networks, child pornography and municipally owned networks.

As a result, regulatory experts are saying the chances are now no more than 50-50 that Congress will pass telecom reform this year, in a session shortened by the November elections.

Paul L. Glenchur, who tracks telecom regulatory developments for the Stanford Washington Research Group, told the Washington Post that it will be tough to get a law enacted this year.

Even the co-sponsor of the measure, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), said in a prepared statement that he has many problems with it, particularly in its lack of a stance on network neutrality. The Stevens’ measure only directs the Federal Communications Commission to study the flow of Internet traffic once every five years to determine potential problems.

“We cannot ignore concerns about the potential for discrimination by network operators, but the draft appears to do just that by failing to create enforceable protections that will ensure network neutrality,” Inouye said in a prepared statement. “The legislation must promote the availability of affordable broadband services and extend consumer protections on a competitively neutral basis.”

The Stevens bill stops short of establishing a national video franchise but gives local franchise authorities 30 days to address a franchise application before that franchise is automatically granted, with fees and rules that are pre-established.

Stevens would also require all cable operators to pay into the USF, and would provide subsidies to rural carriers for high-speed Internet access.

Industry reaction was muted.

Walter McCormick, president of USTelecom, applauded the measure.

“Senators Stevens and Inouye have crafted legislation that will bring real video choice, put consumers in charge of the dynamic communications market and address the future of the nation’s universal service system,” he said in a prepared statement. “The bill’s introduction today is a significant step toward meaningful reform and we look forward to working with both the Senate and House to enact legislation this year.”