Statement of Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn
Technology Transitions Presentation
June 13, 2014
While we cannot see around every corner of the journey, we can make each step count 
along the way.
In voting to approve the Technology Transitions Order, I stated that a properly structured 
trial will provide the Commission and our state partners the data needed to make informed 
decisions on how best to modernize our rules, while upholding the Act’s core values of 
competition, consumer protection, universal service, and public safety.  
Meaningful information helps to facilitate good policy. So I am pleased that the Bureau is 
taking steps to ensure that we have the internal capabilities to collect and analyze data regarding 
any experiments or trials.  
At the same time, I have heard concerns that AT&T’s proposed trial, has yet to satisfy the 
parameters set forth by the Commission and is currently not ready for approval.  
Before we can move forward and approve any trial, we need reasonable solutions that 
properly address the needs of all consumers.  Four percent of the residents in Carbon Hill, 
Alabama, have been identified as being at risk under the proposed framework. When it comes to 
assessing the critical communications needs of these consumers, 96% is not an A.  We cannot 
nor will we ever contemplate leaving them behind.
AT&T has indicated that it does not intend to seek FCC approval to discontinue any 
legacy TDM services until mid-2015, and I am hopeful that the concerns will be addressed by 
that time. I will maintain a keen eye on these consumers, as well as any proposed solution that 
will address the needs of all retail and wholesale customers.  
I would like to thank the staff in Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of General 
Counsel, for the presentation today.