The FCC Gets Down to Details in IP Transition Trials

[Commentary] One important step in the transition of our phone network from traditional TDM-based technology to IP (and in some cases from copper networks to fiber or wireless) is to figure out exactly how those new technologies are going to impact consumers. The Federal Communications Commission has now set out plans for a series of experiments on various aspects of the network transition.

Right off the bat, the FCC starts on the right foot by setting out the core values that establish the purpose of the trials: “public safety, ubiquitous and affordable access, competition, and consumer protection.” Public Knowledge agrees with this approach -- in fact, our own Five Fundamentals for the network transition agree with much of what the FCC has adopted. The FCC Order sets out three directions for the upcoming trials: 1) Voluntary Service-Based Experiments; 2) Targeted Experiments and Cooperative Research; and 3) Ongoing Data Initiative.