FCC's Sohn Remarks: "Halftime at the Wheeler FCC"

If I had to use a football metaphor to describe where we are at the Federal Communications Commission today, I would say that we'ere at halftime -- although without rest or refreshments. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler was sworn in 19 months ago, and by my calculation, we have about another 19 months to go. So it seems to be a good time to take stock of what the FCC has accomplished over that time and what the future holds...I won't belabor the big decisions that make the papers seemingly every day, like open Internet, mergers, community broadband, E-Rate and spectrum auctions. I'd rather focus on those actions that didn't get as much attention, but impact the everyday lives of Americans. Decisions like getting the major wireless companies to agree to unlock their cellphones; requiring those same companies to certify annually that their networks can withstand the damage done by natural disasters; requiring that all wireless carriers enable text to 911 and provide bettter location accuracy in an emergency; requiring cable operators and broadcasters to improve their closed captioning; eliminating the sports blackout rule; simplifying our consumer complaint system; and last, butnot least, using the power of our enforcement authority to ensure, among other things, that consumers' privacy and data are protected and that netowkr operatros who engage in fraudulent billing practices are called to account. So what should you all expect in the second 19 months? There are numerous decisions in the pipeline, but I want to highlight five:

1. Lifeline Modernization
2. Over-the-Top Video: Making any providers that make linear streams of programming available for purchase, including over-the-top video services, multichannel video programming distrubtors (MVPDs).
3. Tech Transitions: From his very first days in office, Chairman Wheeler has emphasized that the values underlying our communications system must be preserved as that system transitions to all Internet Protocol.
4. Incentive Auction
5. FCC.Gov 2.0: While fixing the FCC's website and our 18 year old Electronic Comment Filing System won't bring fast, fair and open broadband to American households, it will go a long way to makingthe agency more open, transparent and responsive.