STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
CONCURRING
Re:  Petition of CRC Communications of Maine, Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. for 
Preemption Pursuant to Section 253 of the Communications Act, as Amended; A National 
Broadband Plan for Our Future; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime; 
T-Mobile et al. Petition for Declaratory Ruling Regarding Incumbent LEC Wireless 
Termination Tariffs, WC Docket No. 10-143, GN Docket No. 09-51, CC Docket No. 01-
92
Competition and Universal Service are cornerstones of the 1996 Telecommunications 
Act.  In order to achieve those goals, Congress created important roles for both state and federal 
regulators.  The narrow legal question before us requires this result but a good policy outcome 
pulls us in another direction.  I’m concerned about the unintended consequences of today’s 
decision on consumers in Maine who rely on these rural phone companies for service.  I believe 
the Maine PUC is best equipped to balance the interests of Maine consumers and carrier 
responsibilities.