FCC CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Recommendation Regarding the IP-Transition Trials
WHEREAS adoption of Internet Protocol (IP) based broadband services has been prioritized by 
the Commission and by other Federal and State governmental entities as a strategic goal; and
WHEREAS access, deployment and use of these IP-based services have been widely identified as 
an essential contributor to economic growth, job creation, national competitiveness, consumer 
welfare and civic engagement in the digital age; and
WHEREAS consumers are making the transition from traditional TDM-based telephone services 
to an Internet Protocol (IP-based) network services; and 
THEREFORE, as the first of several recommendations, and in order to enhance the openness 
and transparency of the IP transition trials, we urge the Commission to develop a series of 
metrics to serve as a checklist for evaluating successful execution of the IP-transition trials 
before they begin, and encourage the development of best-in-class benchmarks for future 
trials.
MOREOVER, we suggest that this checklist embrace the many of the consumer-centric 
principles raised in the Commission’s adopted Orders and Notices in this matter, among them: 
1. Ensuring that quality IP-based services are, from a consumer’s perspective, reliable, 
functionally comparable or superior to TDM-based telephone services, and available 
to all; and
2. Making sure that technological solutions enhance consumer choice; and
3. Providing functionally comparable or superior services for public safety, including 
access to e-911, and for people with disabilities, including seeking advice from 
disability  experts on whether access needs are being addressed; and
4. Providing connectivity with telemedicine applications, alarm systems, modems, fax 
machines, captioned telephones, TTYs and other similar third-party services and 
equipment; and
5. Ensuring the protection of consumer privacy; and
6. Ensuring affordable solutions, options and choices to meet a wide array of consumer 
telecommunications needs for all consumers
Finally, during the IP-transition trials, we recommend that the FCC review public outreach to 
provide consumers with appropriate and sufficient information throughout the trials, as well as 
independent survey research and other data on consumer experiences.
Adopted: March 28, 2014
Abstentions: CEA; CTIA; NASUCA; NCTA; Qualcomm; TWC; T-Mobile; Verizon
Respectfully Submitted:
Debra R. Berlyn, Chairperson
FCC Consumer Advisory Committee