Early Progress in Efforts to Learn About the Impact of Technology Transitions

In January, the Federal Communications Commission’s unanimously adopted Technology Transitions Order kick-started the process for a diverse set of experiments and data collection initiatives focused on how consumers are affected by the historic technology transitions that are transforming our nation’s communications networks. Just one month later, providers and members of the public are accepting the FCC’s invitation to participate in that process.

For example, AT&T filed a proposal for service-based experiments that would explore the transitions to wireline and wireless Internet Protocol-based services in its wire centers in Carbon Hill (AL) and the other in West Delray Beach (FL). The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau then issued a Public Notice seeking public comment on AT&T’s proposal. The Bureau sought comment on a service-based proposal filed by another entity, Iowa Network Services. There also is much enthusiasm around the targeted rural broadband experiments that the Technology Transitions Order authorized.

[Veach is Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau]