Chairman Pai Remarks to Calix Connexions Conference

I wanted to use my remarks to talk more broadly about the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to connect all Americans. The FCC’s first and foremost mission is to help ensure that every American can access advanced communications. On my first full day in this job in Jan 2017, I convened a meeting of the FCC’s staff. I told them that our number one priority would be closing the digital divide and bringing the benefits of the Internet age to all Americans. And for good reason. The FCC’s founding statute, the Communications Act of 1934, explicitly directs the FCC to make wire and radio communication "available . . . to all the people of the United States.” And second, the FCC aims to promote innovation and investment across the communications sector. With each new breakthrough, we increase the value of being connected and unlock opportunities to improve the lives of our citizens. 

The pandemic has ended any debate about the need to expand Internet access to all Americans. The FCC has been pursuing an aggressive agenda to connect all Americans—an agenda that precedes and will outlast COVID-19.