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
December 19, 2016
This Public Notice is to announce the draft release of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn’s 
#Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan. 
Public Comment Deadline: January 11, 2017
Comments, suggestions or feedback should be submitted to solutions2020@fcc.gov and may 
subsequently be posted on the Commission’s website. Submissions which reference open 
proceedings must also comply with the Commission’s ex parte rules. A discussion of those rules 
can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/proceedings-actions/ex-parte.
The final report will be released during the 1st quarter of 2017. 
#Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan
Introduction
On October 19, 2016, stakeholders from across the communications landscape convened 
in Washington, D.C., on the campus of Georgetown University Law Center for our 
#Solutions2020 Policy Forum. Over 100 persons attended the event and more than 400 watched 
it online through FCC.gov.
During the course of four and a half hours, academics, practitioners, and other thought 
leaders each delivered a three minute solutions-focused “pitch” to address many of the toughest 
challenges facing the communications sector. In the weeks that followed, an invitation was 
extended to the public to submit their own 350 words or less “pitch.” Those written submissions 
along with the complete video of the #Solutions2020 Policy Forum can be viewed on the FCC’s 
website. 
Building on our own ideas, as well as from those presented at the forum and submitted in 
written form, we are pleased to issue our #Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan – an agenda we feel 
that if acted upon in a timely manner, could deliver robust, affordable connectivity within the 
next four years. 
1) Ensuring Affordable Communications 
“A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
– Nelson Mandela 
2The work of ensuring affordable access to communications to all Americans may or may 
not ever be fully realized, but we should never fail to try. Twenty years ago, an average family of 
four paid for two fixed telephone lines and dial-up Internet access. Now that same family MAY 
have a fixed phone in the home accompanied by a broadband internet connection, along with two 
or more mobile voice and data lines. This means that the number of services needed to be 
purchased in order to keep up with the Joneses, has risen in cost so much that for the lowest-
income American who can barely afford one device or service, the digital divide continues to 
widen.
I saw the effects of this earlier this year during my #ConnectingCommunities tour, where 
too many people in economically distressed, hard-to-serve areas are being digitally left behind. 
They live in places where markets have failed, or options appear to be absent or substandard: 
Those who use inmate calling services (ICS), or communities where broadband has been 
deployed, but the service is beyond reach due to cost. But if we follow a few well-crafted steps, 
establish unique public-private partnerships and institute well-thought out policies, we can 
narrow the gaps, shrink the divides and fulfil that mandate so nobly expressed in the 
Communications Act: that all Americans should have access to quality communications services 
at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.
a) Comprehensive Reform of Inmate Calling Services
? The Congress, the FCC, states and localities should work to introduce real 
competition and establish reasonable rates in ICS and video visitation services, 
and abolish kickbacks to correctional facilities. 
o Federal legislation, like Rep. Bobby Rush’s Family Telephone Connection 
Protection Act or Sen.-elect Tammy Duckworth’s Video Visitation in Prisons 
Act, are good steps toward achieving that goal. They should be adopted with 
haste.
o Actions by states like Ohio and counties like Essex County, NJ, to eliminate 
kickbacks for the betterment of the prison system as a whole, are 
commendable and should be studied and adopted by others.
? Despite the benefits video visitation may bring, they should not be used as a 
substitute for face-to-face human contact. The mere existence of an option for 
video visitation should not be the basis for limiting in-person visitation. 
? Reduction of inmate calling service rates has been shown to assist with the 
problem of contraband cell phones. Thus, it would be antithetical to the goal of 
addressing the contraband cell phone problem by increasing the cost of inmate 
calling services rates to pay for contraband cell phone detection and control 
technology.
3b) Streamlined Access to Lifeline Service
? Only about a third of eligible U.S. households currently subscribe to Lifeline 
services. 
? To address this, EveryoneOn suggests that we close the gap by making Lifeline 
information available at the common touchpoints:  clinics, places where those 
who are eligible apply for social benefits, recertify their eligibility to live in HUD-
assisted housing, among others.
c) Deployment of Next-Generation Communications Services
? To have affordable service, you must first have service. That is why lowering 
barriers to deployment are so important. Several steps can be taken to help on this 
front: 
o Reform pole attachment rules to increase access and reduce the cost of 
deployment.
o Encourage public-private, public-public, and private-private partnerships on 
both the supply and demand side by, for example, assisting with different 
pieces of the infrastructure puzzle and aggregate the demand for services 
where the economic case for buildout is weaker.
2) Empowering Communities
At the heart of our #ConnectingCommunities tour was the idea that we need to get 
outside of D.C. and hear first-hand the opportunities and challenges of bringing robust, 
affordable communications services to all Americans. How else can one truly grasp just how 
varied the problems and solutions are? State and local leaders are on the front-lines and, as 
American Rural points out, communications policies must reflect the geographic and 
demographic diversity of our nation. Rural workers are not just farmers, but are innovators and 
entrepreneurs as well.
a) Empower Communities to Deploy Communications Infrastructure Where the Market has 
Not
? I support the enactment of the Community Broadband Act, which preserves the 
local communities’ right to provide their residents, who would benefit greatly, 
with broadband service.
b) Ensure Tribal Voices are Heard at the FCC
4? We must do better in engaging with Tribal governments. To that end, the FCC’s 
Office of Native Affairs should be empowered as a standalone Office with its own 
budget that is sufficient to proactively engage with Tribes on important issues of 
communications policy. 
3) 5G and Beyond for All Americans
This past summer, the Commission took a momentous step towards bringing next 
generation wireless technology to consumers by making available nearly 11 gigahertz of high-
band spectrum for licensed and unlicensed use and teeing up an additional 18 gigahertz of 
spectrum, encompassing eight high-frequency bands for consideration.  
This exciting development is the first of many steps on the path towards 5G technologies.  
Wireless providers and equipment manufacturers are conducting demos and launching trials, so 
we are on the verge of really seeing just how fundamentally fifth generation wireless technology 
will change our lives and the ways we interact with each other and our communities.
The potential use cases for 5G are as varied as they are incredible, from remote-
controlled robots performing surgeries on the other side of the world, to fully autonomous cars, 
to ubiquitously connected homes, and even connected bodies.  
But it is important as we move into this new age of connectivity that those who live in 
rural and low-income areas are a part of this new frontier.  It is important that industry and 
government work together to ensure that we narrow, not further widen the digital divide in the 
country. Below are some ideas to help us do just that:
a) Passage of the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limit Excessive and 
Needless Obstacles to the Wireless Act, or MOBILE NOW Act
? Among other things, the MOBILE NOW Act introduced in the 114
th
Congress, 
underscores that it is U.S. policy to maximize spectrum resources to benefit 
Americans, advance wireless broadband innovation and investment and make 
available unlicensed spectrum sufficient to meet consumer demand;
? It directs NTIA and the FCC to make available at least 255 megahertz of federal 
and non-federal spectrum below 6000 megahertz for wireless broadband use, 
including 100 megahertz for unlicensed use, and 100 megahertz for exclusive 
commercial licensed use; and
? The Act proposes common sense solutions that would streamline deployment of 
broadband infrastructure.
b) Identifying Spectrum Bands Suitable for Unlicensed Use
5? Unlicensed spectrum has been one of our nation’s greatest innovation engines.  It 
has enabled technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency 
Identification (RFID), cordless phones and security systems.  Some of these 
technologies have led to the development of billion dollar industries and the 
successes of these industries is attributable to the fact that unlicensed spectrum is 
open to all: from individuals with great ideas, to small start-ups, to large 
corporations.  
? Despite the amount of spectrum that the FCC has auctioned over the years, there 
are too many areas in this country – most notably rural areas and low income 
urban communities – that do not have the number of choices for broadband 
providers that most Americans enjoy. Unlicensed spectrum has and must continue 
to play a role in helping to close this gap.  
c) Promoting Efficient and Collaborative Infrastructure Siting Policies
? In order for wireless providers to meet America’s growing demand for broadband 
services, they not only need additional spectrum, but the ability to deploy new or 
improved wireless facilities or cell sites in a timely manner.  In a 5G world, we 
expect an acceleration in infrastructure deployment, particularly of small cells and 
Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS).  It is in the best interest of consumers for 
municipalities and providers to work together to ensure timely rollout of robust 
wireless networks throughout the country.  
? This can be accomplished by:
o ensuring that there is transparency on both sides of the table;
o creating capacity for permitting and make ready work;
o putting in place processes to streamline the permitting process;
o establishing stakeholder committees to understand upcoming construction 
and build-out opportunities;
o making municipal assets such as fiber, light and power poles, rooftops, 
street furniture and traffic signals available on a nondiscriminatory basis 
and attractive terms; and 
o creating broadband ready building stock by integrating future looking 
broadband practices into the process of developing residential and 
commercial real estate.
d) Advancing Policies to Promote 5G Deployment in Rural America
? Consumers in rural areas must have access to robust mobile voice and data 
services.  They expect an always-on, everywhere-available connection, and have 
for some time now.  Reasonably comparable service across the nation is our goal, 
and we have been working on this on the fixed side for some time.  With the 
increasing importance of wireless connectivity, we must double down on our 
6efforts to ensure reasonably comparable mobile service as well.  Here are some 
ways to accomplish this:
o Action on Phase II of the Mobility Fund – this initiative has languished at 
the Commission for far too long, and we need to move forward on it 
expeditiously and ensure that enough funding is available to further invest 
in and expand wireless infrastructure in rural America;
o Ensure that there is equitable access to spectrum;
o Encourage the creation of strategic partnerships between those willing to 
provide 5G services in rural areas and those in need of such services; and
o Promote policies to encourage equipment manufacturers and vendors to 
provide lower cost solutions for 5G equipment in rural America.
e) Promote Security and Reliability in Communications Networks
? In order to ensure all communications networks, including NG911 networks are 
safe, we must incorporate cyber defense mechanisms into every aspect of the 
networks and encourage companies to take the lead in developing and 
implementing effective, industry-driven security risk management practices and 
policies.
? The Commission must also work with other government agencies and 
communications providers to facilitate information sharing regarding 
cybersecurity best practices between government and industry as well as among 
industry stakeholders.
? As we incorporate 5G into a NG911 and FirstNet landscape, we must ensure that 
all Americans have the ability to reach emergency personnel.
4) Enhancing Consumer Protections
The FCC plays a key role in protecting against practices that are anti-competitive and/or 
anti-consumer. In recent years, consumers have faced a slew of undesirable practices, including 
cramming, slamming, unsolicited robocalls and various deceptive billing practices. 
When consumers are unable to reach a resolution with their communications provider, 
they often turn to the FCC for assistance. If acted upon, the following recommendations would 
strengthen protections for consumers, improve accessibility and enhance transparency:  
a) Eliminating Forced Arbitration
? Mandatory arbitration, put simply, forces consumers with grievances against a 
company, out of the court system, and into a private dispute resolution system. 
This is why I joined with Senator Franken in calling for this to be addressed in the 
Commission’s privacy proceeding. 
7? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that 99.9% of mobile 
wireless customers have no option and are forced to give up their day in court, 
when they sign up for connectivity. 
? The FCC should use its authority to ban these provisions in all contracts for 
telecommunications services. If the FCC refuses to do so, Congress should step in 
and include an equitable dispute resolution process. 
b) Enhancing Text Messaging for people with Disabilities
? While most consumers are able to receive and send timely information via text 
messaging, deafblind braille users do not have this capability and therefore miss 
out on many important messages, including emergency/weather alerts and the 
ability to quickly communicate with family, friends or emergency services.  In 
order to address this inequality, we must develop simple mobile texting solutions 
for deafblind individuals who are ASL/braille users.
c) Improving Point-of-Sale Transparency 
? The FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee “No Surprises Task Force” recently 
offered several recommendations to improve a consumers’ experience when they 
sign-up for phone, Internet, or pay-TV service. 
? Implementation of these recommendations, including providing consumers’ with 
an estimated dollar amount of their total monthly bill, including all government 
imposed taxes and fees, and all company-imposed fees, surcharges and equipment 
charges just prior to signing-up for service, would be a huge win for consumers 
and an opportunity for providers to show how committed they are to putting 
customers first.
5) Broadband as a Driver of Improved Health Services
More than two years ago, at my urging, the Commission launched the Connect2Health
FCC
Task Force. Underpinning the effort to improve health outcomes is access to robust broadband 
connectivity. This means not only within the confines of a health care facility but connectivity in 
the home, so patients can maintain close communication with their doctor in the weeks and 
months following hospitalization or an out-patient procedure. 
During my #ConnectingCommunities tour, I visited health facilities of varying sizes 
including the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford and the Preston Memorial Hospital 
in Kingwood, West Virginia. We must explore new ways to ensure all of our nation’s health 
facilities are equipped with advanced broadband-enabled technologies by the end of this decade.
In pursuit of this goal, I offer the following recommendations:
8a) Expanding Provider Access to the FCC’s Healthcare Connect Fund
? The 1996 Act instructed the Commission to provide funding to qualifying rural 
healthcare providers for critical communications services. 
? Congress should pass the bipartisan Reaching Underserved Rural Areas to Lead 
on Telehealth, which would enable non-rural hospitals that predominately serve 
rural areas, to take advantage of funding from the FCC’s Healthcare Connect 
Fund. The bill recognizes that non-rural hospitals and health-care providers may 
be best positioned to bring telehealth services to rural communities. 
? By limiting Healthcare Connect funds to providers who predominantly serve rural 
areas, the legislation preserves the FCC’s goal of delivering advanced telehealth 
services to communities most in need.
b) Replicating the Success of Project Ethan in More Local Communities
? Project ETHAN (Emergency Telehealth and Navigation), a program established 
by the Houston, Texas Fire Department, connects the city’s first responders to a 
call center staffed by physicians. 
? Through the power of mobile broadband and a tablet, EMTs dispatched to a 9-1-1 
call, can connect a patient with a non-critical issue to a physician through a video 
chat, and in just over 80 percent of the cases, eliminate the need for a costly 
hospital visit.
? Local communities nationwide should consider replicating Project ETHAN to 
improve patient care and reduce medical costs.
c) Adopting a Public Notice to Support Adoption and Accessibility of Broadband-Enabled 
Health Care Solutions
? In March 2016, Chairman Wheeler circulated for consideration among fellow 
Commissioners, a Public Notice that seeks comment on the current state of 
broadband health connectivity, including where there are critical gaps and needs. 
? The Commission should adopt this Public Notice as a way to build a record on 
what the FCC can do to support the adoption and accessibility of broadband-
enabled health care solutions.
d) Promoting Remote Patient Monitoring Programs
? It is estimated that the U.S. could lower its health care costs by $197 billion over 
the next 25 years through the use of remote monitoring to track the vital signs of 
9patients with chronic diseases.
? The importance of remote patient monitoring was reiterated by several of the 
panelists at our October 19th policy forum, including C Spire’s Fenly Davis who 
described a pilot project in Ruleville, Mississippi with 100 people who had 
uncontrolled diabetes and who used broadband to regularly connect with their 
doctors. In the first year, none of those patients had hospital visits, resulting in a 
$339,000 savings in Medicaid spending.
? The Commission should seek to encourage communities to embark on pilot 
projects like the one in Ruleville.
6) Promoting a More Diverse Media Landscape
Digital inclusion has many meanings. To me, it is about promoting viewpoint diversity 
through various media outlets including broadcast television, radio, cable, newspapers and 
online. Included in this objective is the need for a variety of perspectives, particularly local 
voices that can be a source for relevant news, weather and emergency information. 
Digital inclusion also means there should be ownership diversity and a tech and telecom 
industry made up of employees that reflect America's rich diversity and talent. According to the
Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), “despite comprising a third of the 
population, people of color comprise only 22% of the television news force and (while not FCC-
regulated) only 13% of the daily newspaper workforce.” It does not have to be this way. Highly-
qualified female and minority candidates exist, yet a disconnect remains.
With these goals in mind, I propose the following steps to enhance digital inclusion and 
promote a more diverse media landscape.
a) Adoption of a Final Order on Independent Programming
? In September, building off of a record that included more than 36,000 filings, the 
Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that targeted two 
of the worst offending practices facing many independent video programmers: 
“unconditional” most favored nation (MFN) clauses and unreasonable alternative 
distribution method (ADM) provisions.
? The Commission is currently seeking comment in response to the NPRM. 
Following a thorough review of the record, the Commission should proceed with 
the adoption of a final Order that ensures independent and diverse voices have a 
place in a vibrant media landscape. 
10
b) Reinstate the FCC’s Minority Tax Certificate Program
? During its 17 years of existence, the FCC’s Minority Tax Certificate Program 
successfully helped to bring numerous diverse entrepreneurs into the broadcast 
industry. 
? The program was eliminated in 1995. Congress should reinstate this program as a 
way to improve the state of broadcast ownership diversity.
c) Establish a Pilot Incubator Program to Increase Female and Minority Ownership
? The Commission and industry should work to encourage new entry into the 
broadcasting industry, particularly by minorities and women. One way that has 
been suggested to achieve this is by waiving certain ownership restrictions for an 
incumbent broadcaster if that broadcaster incubates a new entrant or a 
disadvantaged business.  
? Such incubation, perhaps in the form of lending financial, programming, or 
technical support, could result in the successful entry of a new broadcaster, 
increasing the diversity of voices available to the public.  
? Even absent an explicit FCC program that entices such incubation in exchange for 
a waiver of local ownership rules, the industry should strive to nurture and 
support minority and women-owned broadcasting businesses. The upcoming
Capital Assets Conference sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters 
(NAB) and the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) is an important step in this 
process.
d) Reinvigorating the FCC’s Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO)
? Today, the FCC’s OCBO serves as chief advisor to the Chairman and the 
Commissioners on issues, rulemakings, and policies affecting small, women, and 
minority-owned communications businesses.
? Proposed in part by the American Cable Association (ACA), OCBO should 
expand its role to serve as Small Business Ombudsman by helping small 
businesses in “identifying and complying with their regulatory obligations.” As 
described by ACA, this would improve compliance and help mitigate regulatory 
burdens.
e) Improving Diversity at Tech Companies
? In October, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the 
launch of a working group, aimed at improving both gender and racial diversity at 
tech companies.
11
? According to the EEOC's Diversity in High Tech report, African-Americans 
represent just 7% of tech hires, compared to 14% in other industries. The gap is 
similarly large for women, representing 36% of tech hires compared to 48% in 
other industries.
? The EEOC, working with industry leaders, should establish a series of best 
practices that would encourage tech companies to increase the hiring of women 
and minorities.   
Conclusion
Taken together, these recommendations would narrow the opportunities divide, support 
the growth of our economy and greatly improve the quality of life for all Americans. 
Implementation will require bipartisan action, support from leaders at the federal, state and local 
levels as well as buy-in from representatives of the technology and telecommunications 
industries. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners, Members of Congress, 
state and local government partners, the public interest community and industry to bring about 
real and lasting change by the end of this decade.