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Statement of FCC Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn

House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Committee on Energy and Commerce
Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Good morning Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Eshoo, and Members of the
Committee.
I am grateful for the opportunity to testify before you today, and to discuss the
collaborative and inclusive decision-making process the Commission has adopted in issuing
rulemakings and setting policies to create a foundation for innovation in the communications
marketplace.
I intend to remain fully engaged in transparent and open discussions, for the Commission
recognizes that it is important that we work hand-in-hand with Congress on issues vital to
fostering a vibrant and dynamic communications marketplace. We all share the common goal of
promoting robust competition throughout all communications industry sectors, and by continuing
this dialogue between the Commission, Congress, and all stakeholders, we are on the path
towards achieving this goal.
The ideal marketplace consists of many viable competitors, constantly innovating and
challenging one another in offering products and services to all consumers. However, today’s
reality is far from this utopian ideal.
There are still times where the communications ecosystem fails to properly address
current, key consumer interests. And when that occurs, the Federal Communications
Commission is charged with playing a vital role, one that necessitates striking the delicate
balance between two equally important considerations: the protection and service of consumers
and the provision of necessary tools and guidance for businesses. In keeping with this spirit, the
Commission has created regulations and guidelines that allow businesses to thrive and compete
in an international marketplace while ensuring that basic consumer protections are in place.
Under the leadership of Chairman Genachowski, the FCC has worked collaboratively
with all stakeholders in crafting policies and solutions in response to industry concerns. While
we encourage industry to come up with voluntary solutions that will give the marketplace greater
flexibility to respond to evolving consumer needs, we must recognize that this will not always be
the case. In some instances, the Commission is justified in adopting smart, targeted regulations
when necessary to promote meaningful competition in order to ensure that basic protections are
in place. And even in instances where the Commission must codify regulations, we make sure
that lines of communication remain open, and implement waiver procedures so that we can
evaluate the unique circumstances of industry participants on a case-by-case basis. We also work
with industry participants to ensure that any regulatory changes will be gradual and provide
ample time and opportunity for participants to voice their concerns.

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Last October, the Commission adopted reforms to the Universal Service Fund to update
the Fund to meet modern day realities and put it on a more sustainable path. More Americans are
using mobile services today than ever before, and broadband access is now the gateway by which
most Americans obtain critical information and services. The Fund needed to be updated to
reflect these realities.
The reforms that we adopted will promote significant broadband deployment, as quickly
as possible, to millions of unserved consumers in our nation over the next six years. Importantly,
our reform carefully balances the need for certainty and predictability for carriers by avoiding
flash cuts and providing transitions so they can adjust to the changes.

I strongly believe that in telecommunications sectors, the most efficient progress is made
when industry, public interest advocates, government, and all other stakeholders join hands and
work together. As with USF reform, another example of this type of collaboration is reflected in
recent Commission action to spur the creation of new Medical Body Area Network, or MBAN,
devices. GE, Phillips, and the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council
(AFTRCC), presented a Joint Proposal to the Commission, detailing the potential of MBANs and
identifying ways in which the Commission could go about making it a reality.
These devices, which are about the size and shape of a Band-Aid, are going to
revolutionize health care. They are disposable, low-cost inventions that send signals to a nearby
information aggregation device by way of a low-power radio transmitter, and will allow hospitals
to monitor patient vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure levels, without all the wires
and cables that tether a patient to machines. These devices should also attract capital investment
and spur business development and job creation, as the health care profession and the wireless
industry again join forces in deploying MBANs nationwide. This is a stellar example of
innovation and advancement that can occur when industry and government work collaboratively.
At the FCC, we are also committed to advocating for the equal provision of
communications services to all Americans. In addition to expanding sustainable broadband
service to rural and underserved Americans, the FCC is also tackling access issues affecting
Americans with disabilities. Congress paved the way for the Commission’s advocacy of these
issues by enacting the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. The
implementation of this Act is a high priority for the Commission and for my office.
Under the CVAA, there are two initiatives that will come into effect this month that I am
especially excited about. The first is video description on television programming, which will
allow blind or visually impaired viewers to more fully benefit from TV shows. For now, some
channels on broadcast stations in the top 25 markets and cable and satellite systems with 50,000
or more subscribers will offer about four hours a week of the new service. However, this is only
the beginning, and the number of stations and hours will gradually increase.
Also set to launch this month is the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
(NDBEDP). This Program provides funding for up to $10 million annually for the local
distribution of communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind. The
CVAA set the course for the Commission to adopt rules, such as the NDBEDP, to work towards
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providing access to vital communications services for those who were previously denied. This
represents an important move towards ensuring that individuals who are deaf-blind are able to
fully utilize our nation’s communications systems, and I will continue working towards
achieving this critical goal.
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak today, and I look forward to answering any
questions you may have on how the FCC can continue to promote greater access to
communications technologies and services for all Americans. Thank you.
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