Commiioner Pai Statement on the IP Transition

NEWS

Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202-418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

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Washington, DC 20554

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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. Cir. 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

November 19, 2013

Matthew Berry, 202-418-2005

Email: Matthew.Berry@fcc.gov

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI

ON THE IP TRANSITION

I agree with Chairman Wheeler that when it comes to the IP Transition, now . . . is the time to

act. The transition to IP-based technologies represents the most fundamental and positive change in

telecommunications in decades. But our regulations still reflect a 1970s view of technology and

competition, preventing consumers and providers alike from realizing the full benefits of IP. For that

reason, I welcome Chairman Wheeler's announcement that the Commission will consider an order at our

January meeting addressing the IP Transition.

Two years ago, the FCC's Technological Advisory Council under Chairman Wheeler's leadership

recommended that we sunset the public switched telephone network in 2018. This would allow carriers

to stop investing in the networks of the past and instead concentrate finite resources on the networks of

the future. But we cannot take this step nationally without adequate testing and preparation.

Accordingly, as I stated in February, the time has come to commence an All-IP Pilot Program to provide

us with real-world data from a diverse set of local experiments. I am optimistic that the item we will

consider in January will pave the way for such geographic all-IP trials where carriers will be able to

transition from TDM to IP in a discrete set of wire centers. I thank Chairman Wheeler for his leadership

and look forward to working with him and my colleagues in the coming months to make these trials a

reality.

LINK:	http://www.fcc.gov/document/commissioner-pai-statement-ip-transition...
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