Introducing America’s Connected Future

Across the country, policymakers are reexamining outdated telecommunications rules that no longer reflect how Americans communicate. Recently, the Federal Communications Commission took another big step toward speeding our nation’s transition to modern digital networks, joining the more than two dozen states who have made this progress a priority. This requires reforming decades-old state rules, such as “Carrier of Last Resort,” that require phone companies to spend billions maintaining outdated copper networks rather than focusing on faster, stronger networks consumers actually use. In a market defined by competing telecommunications, cable, wireless, satellite, and other communications choices, consumers have overwhelmingly chosen modern networks to connect with each other and the world, including over the phone. Four out of five of us now live in wireless-only households. For the few who still have landlines, nearly 80 percent of the connections already operate over broadband networks—not copper. In fact, just 1.4 percent of Americans rely solely on what’s called copper-based “plain old telephone service.” It’s time for the rules to catch up with reality. That’s why we in the broadband community are standing together for smart, common-sense policies and approaches that allow our nation to complete a thoughtful and necessary transition from copper to digital networks. Our new initiative, America’s Connected Future, is committed to helping consumers, businesses, communities, and civic leaders understand the benefits of this transition and the important consumer protections in place at every step.