FCC Announces Formation of 'Technology Transitions Policy Task Force'

Federal Communications Commission Julius Genachowski announced the formation of an agency-wide Technology Transitions Policy Task Force under the leadership of Sean Lev, the Commission’s General Counsel, who will serve as Interim Director, and Rebekah Goodheart, Associate Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, who will serve as Deputy Director.

Chairman Genachowski said, “The Technology Transitions Policy Task Force will play a critical role in answering the fundamental policy question for communications in the 21st century: In a broadband world, how can we best ensure that our nation’s communications policies continue to drive a virtuous cycle of innovation and investment, promote competition, and protect consumers?” The nation’s broadband transition means that communications networks are increasingly migrating from special purpose to general purpose, from circuit-switched to packet-switched, and from copper to fiber and wireless-based networks. Among other issues, the Task Force will coordinate the Commission’s efforts on IP interconnection, resiliency of 21st century communications networks, business broadband competition, and consumer protection with a particular focus on voice services. The Task Force will also consider recommendations from the Technological Advisory Committee on the PSTN Transition, coordinate with the NARUC Presidential Task Force on Federalism and Telecommunications, and evaluate the feedback from the FCC’s pending field hearings on Superstorm Sandy. The Task Force will conduct a data-driven review and provide recommendations to modernize the Commission’s policies in a process that encourages the technological transition, empowers and protects consumers, promotes competition, and ensures network resiliency and reliability.