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See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).
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November 19, 2013 Matthew Berry, 202-418-2005
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STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI
ON THE IP TRANSITION
I agree with Chairman Wheeler that when it comes to the IP Transition, “now . . . is the time to 
act.”  The transition to IP-based technologies represents the most fundamental and positive change in 
telecommunications in decades.  But our regulations still reflect a 1970s view of technology and 
competition, preventing consumers and providers alike from realizing the full benefits of IP.  For that 
reason, I welcome Chairman Wheeler’s announcement that the Commission will consider an order at our 
January meeting addressing the IP Transition.
Two years ago, the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council under Chairman Wheeler’s leadership 
recommended that we sunset the public switched telephone network in 2018.  This would allow carriers 
to stop investing in the networks of the past and instead concentrate finite resources on the networks of 
the future.  But we cannot take this step nationally without adequate testing and preparation.  
Accordingly, as I stated in February, the time has come to commence an All-IP Pilot Program to provide 
us with real-world data from a diverse set of local experiments.  I am optimistic that the item we will 
consider in January will pave the way for such geographic all-IP trials where carriers will be able to 
transition from TDM to IP in a discrete set of wire centers.  I thank Chairman Wheeler for his leadership 
and look forward to working with him and my colleagues in the coming months to make these trials a 
reality.