A Reason to Celebrate: FCC Examines Future of the Phone Network

The Federal Communications Commission’s November 21 meeting was a step forward for the 303 million people residing the in US who depend on some kind of phone service for their personal, business, and emergency communications. The FCC voted to move forward on two proposals that examine the future of the phone network and 911 emergency services. This vote builds on the FCC’s bipartisan, unanimous consensus around core network values that include public safety, universal access, competition, and consumer protection. Public input to the FCC will be instrumental in developing federal guidance for the phone network transitions that protects consumers and vulnerable populations.

The open comment period is an opportunity for people who care about phone service to make their voices heard. Rural voices, grassroots organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and state agencies who have been vocal on this issue should continue to highlight the importance of a reliable, affordable, and universally available network that includes all communities. This stakeholder input will be critical in ensuring that the digitally underserved do not become the permanently unserved. To be clear, this is a policy debate as much as technical one. Any future failure of the phone network, or elimination of service for communities who previously had access before a technological transition, will be the fault of bad policy. We have an opportunity to preserve the values that expanded phone service from coast to coast and cannot be the first industrialized nation to step back from a communications network that effectively served all households for the past 100 years. Public Knowledge will continue to urge the public and Congress to support the FCC’s step forward in protecting the phone network’s core values, and ensuring that this technology transition does not widen the communication gap in this country but serves instead as an upgrade for everyone.