PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 13-192 Released: February 12, 2013 FCC ANNOUNCES FIRST TECHNOLOGY TRANSITIONS POLICY TASK FORCE WORKSHOP GN Docket No. 13-5 On December 10, 2012, Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the formation of an agency- wide Technology Transitions Policy Task Force to “provide recommendations to modernize the Commission’s policies.” The Chairman instructed the Task Force to provide recommendations to “empower and protect consumers, promote competition, and ensure network resiliency and reliability.” 1 As part of the data-driven and transparent review that the Chairman has required, the Task Force announces today the first in a series of workshops. The first workshop will gather data and analysis to establish a factual baseline understanding of these transitions. The first workshop will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013, in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305), 445 12 th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20554. This workshop will solicit data and analysis on three critical ongoing transitions: the evolution in network protocols, including from TDM to IP; the replacement of copper networks with fiber; and the shift from wireline services toward greater use of wireless services. The workshop will analyze the American landscape in a granular way by gathering data on disparities between rural and urban areas and business and residential services. The workshop will also focus on the experiences of different demographic groups, including different generations, as well as challenges faced by people with disabilities. Panelists will also describe underlying network technologies and identify the advantages and limitations that various technologies present in different contexts. Finally, the workshop will seek input on the factors driving the market’s transition to new technologies. Additional details concerning the workshop agenda and panelists will be forthcoming. The workshop will be free and open to the public, and will also be streamed live at http://www.fcc.gov/live. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. The request should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and contact information. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible in order to allow the agency to satisfy such requests whenever possible. Send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). For further information, contact Rebekah Goodheart at 202-418-1438, or via e-mail at rebekah.goodheart@fcc.gov. -FCC- 1 See FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Announces Formation of “Technology Transitions Policy Task Force” (Dec. 10, 2012).