Technology Transitions Policy Task Force

December 2013 —The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the agenda for an Open Meeting to be held on December 12, 2013.  The agenda includes considerations for a Report and Order to improve 911 reliability and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise rules regarding use of wireless phones aboard airlines.  Additionally, the meeting will include status updates from the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force regarding recommendations for the FCC’s “expectations and role in the IP transition.”  The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m.

November 2013 — On November 19, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler released a blog post entitled The IP Transition: Starting Now.  The post highlighted future efforts of the FCC Technology Transitions Policy Task Force concerning evolving communications networks, often called the “IP transition.”  Specifically, the post noted considerations for an Order providing the FCC with recommendations regarding the implementation, data collection practices and consideration of policy issues for IP transition pilot projects.

September 2013 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force will host a workshop on October 15, 2013.  In March 2013, the Task Force held their first workshop to gather data on ongoing technology transitions.  The upcoming workshop will continue this effort by focusing on “the consumer and competitive impacts” of the transitions from copper networks to fiber and wireline to wireless services and specifically how these transitions may affect “residential and business consumers” when legacy services are replaced.  The workshop will

June 2013 — The Acting Director of the FCC Technology Transitions Policy Task Force, Sean Lev addressed the TIA Network Transition Event in June, concerning the “multifaceted communications transition” currently underway in the United States.  Specifically, Lev noted recent years have seen significant decreases in circuit switch telephone service complemented by increases in use of VOIP and wireless and the replacement of copper networks with fiber.

March 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission has convened the First Technology Transitions Policy Task Force Workshop. It was the first of a series of workshops that will focus on transitions to new technologies including: the advancement of network protocols; the implementation of fiber networks replacing copper; and the increased use of wireless in place of wireline services.