The State of Wireline is changing, but our values remain the same

The public telephone network remains the backbone of our nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, but any changes in technology need to reflect a bedrock principle— we must make sure the transition results in an actual upgrade in technology without a downgrade in the services upon which Americans depend.

Leaders from telecom, rural broadband, and Internet industry joined PK's President Gigi Sohn to discuss the challenges of the IP transition at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the “State of Wireline Communications.” There were a number of issues raised at the hearing that will require policymakers to act as more and more consumers cut the cord and move to mobile wireless and VoIP services. The Federal Communications Commission has been tasked with providing guidance with national policy, but changes are already happening at the state level.