Federal Communications Commission __FCC 07-21
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re:  Inquiry Concerning the Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All 
Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion, and Possible Steps to Accelerate Such 
Deployment Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
As a state official, I witnessed first-hand the incredible impact broadband networks and services 
have on real communities and families across Tennessee.  From watching our state become the first to 
connect every school to the Internet, to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the E-rate program, I’ve seen 
how millions of children all across this country are benefiting in ways we never dreamed possible before.  
From Appalachia to Alaska, I have also seen the impact of broadband services to improve the quality and 
availability of health care services to more Americans, particularly those in the most rural and isolated 
communities.  Pockets of incredible stories, uses, and innovative projects abound, but we need to do more 
in order to ensure that all Americans enjoy the benefits that broadband can bring.
While a state member of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications 
Services, I encouraged the Commission to do more, and am now pleased that we are doing just that.  
Congress charged us with regularly inquiring into the availability of advanced telecommunications 
capability to all Americans and, through this proceeding, we are fulfilling our obligation.  But, more 
importantly, we will be providing information to CEOs deciding where to locate a new business, to 
consumers seeking e-learning, and to healthcare providers sharing medical records to better coordinate 
patient care. I also hope this will enable us to showcase some of the most innovative and exciting public-
private initiatives across the country and serve as a clearinghouse for local officials, businesses, providers, 
and consumers seeking to bring all the opportunities and promise that broadband provides to their 
communities. 
Meeting the goal of providing broadband to this vast and geographically challenging country will 
not be easy.  It cannot and should not be up to government alone.  But with American ingenuity, corporate 
commitment, the promise of new jobs to economically depressed areas, and reduced healthcare costs, we 
all can be part of the solution.  We must be in order to continue our role of global leadership and to ensure 
that we prepare, educate, and provide the tools necessary for tomorrow’s innovators.