Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-168
STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI
Re: Electronic Delivery of MVPD Communications, MB Docket No. 17-317; Modernization 
of Media Regulation Initiative, MB Docket No. 17-105
Even in the digital age, many of us remain all too familiar with paper.  One example is “bill 
inserts”—the extra sheets of paper that are stuck in the envelope along with your bill for a particular 
service.  Other than those who struggle to decipher them, most consumers simply ignore them.  And 
these days, we tend to prefer electronic communications over pulp. 
The FCC too shares that preference.  We’re working to reduce our use of paper.  And we’re also 
aiming to modernize rules that unnecessarily require the private sector to stuff paper into your mailbox.  
This Notice is another step down that path.  We propose to take the consumer-friendly step of allowing 
video companies—multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), as they’re called around 
here—to send certain notices to subscribers electronically.  
If it’s finalized, this proposal could allow consumers to more readily access information about 
their service in the form they find most convenient.  And it would get rid of a lot of environmental waste 
and reduce unnecessary regulatory costs, too.  
There’s a similar issue lurking about in one of our rules, and we seek public input in this Notice 
on it too.  Today, broadcast television stations have to send MVPDs a notice telling them whether 
they’re opting for must-carry of their content or retransmission consent.  They have to send a separate 
election notice to each cable system or satellite carrier individually, by certified mail.  This doesn’t seem 
to be necessary or efficient, so we’re looking into how to streamline this notice requirement while still 
ensuring that MVPDs get the information they need.  
I’d like to thank Steve Broeckaert, Michelle Carey, Katie Costello, Martha Heller, Maria 
Mullarkey, and Mary Beth Murphy of the Media Bureau, and Susan Aaron and Dave Konczal from the 
Office of General Counsel, for your efforts on this Notice.