FCC Chairman Announces Technology Transitions Policy Task Force

NEWS
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 10, 2012
Justin Cole, 202-418-8191
Email: justin.cole@fcc.gov

FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF 

‘TECHNOLOGY TRANSITIONS POLICY TASK FORCE’ 
Washington, D.C. – FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski today announced the formation of an 
agency-wide Technology Transitions Policy Task Force under the leadership of Sean Lev, the 
Commission’s General Counsel, who will serve as Interim Director, and Rebekah Goodheart, Associate 
Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, who will serve as Deputy Director.
Chairman Genachowski said, “The Technology Transitions Policy Task Force will play a critical role in 
answering the fundamental policy question for communications in the 21st century:  In a broadband world, 
how can we best ensure that our nation’s communications policies continue to drive a virtuous cycle of 
innovation and investment, promote competition, and protect consumers?” 
The nation’s broadband transition means that communications networks are increasingly migrating from 
special purpose to general purpose, from circuit-switched to packet-switched, and from copper to fiber 
and wireless-based networks.
Among other issues, the Task Force will coordinate the Commission’s efforts on IP interconnection, 
resiliency of 21st century communications networks, business broadband competition, and consumer 
protection with a particular focus on voice services.  The Task Force will also consider recommendations 
from the Technological Advisory Committee on the PSTN Transition, coordinate with the NARUC 
Presidential Task Force on Federalism and Telecommunications, and evaluate the feedback from the 
Commission’s pending field hearings on Superstorm Sandy.  
The Task Force will conduct a data-driven review and provide recommendations to modernize the 
Commission’s policies in a process that encourages the technological transition, empowers and protects 
consumers, promotes competition, and ensures network resiliency and reliability.
Chairman Genachowski said, “Technological transitions don’t change the basic mission of the FCC.  But 
technology changes can drive changes in markets and competition.  And many of the Commission’s 
existing rules draw technology-based distinctions.  So the ongoing changes in our nation’s 
communications networks require a hard look at many rules that were written for a different technological 
and market landscape.”
“We anticipated and addressed many of these issues in the National Broadband Plan, and we’ve taken 
game-changing steps to deliver on its vision, including a once-in-a-generation transformation of Universal 
Service and intercarrier compensation and unprecedented efforts to unleash new spectrum to meet 
skyrocketing wireless demand. Congress has acted to update our communications laws to keep pace with 
the broadband transition, including by enacting the landmark Twenty-First Century Communications and 

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Video Accessibility Act of 2010 [CVAA] which ensures that individuals with disabilities have access to 
today’s communications technologies, and by authorizing the creation of a national interoperable public 
safety broadband network.  These actions are accelerating and spurring investment in 21st century 
communications networks. But there’s still significant work for the Commission to do.” 
The Task Force will include the Commission’s Chief Economist and Chief Technology Officer, as well as 
representatives from across the agency, including staff from the Wireline, Wireless, Media, Consumer 
Affairs, and Public Safety Bureaus, as well as the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Strategic 
Planning and Policy Analysis.
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