STATEMENT OF 
CHAIRMAN TOM WHEELER
Re: Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation 
Regime, CC Docket No. 01-92.
Today, we adopt a declaratory ruling to ensure that the transition to IP-based networks and 
services is not impeded by outdated technological distinctions.  In the 2011 USF/ICC Transformation 
Order, the Commission adopted the VoIP symmetry rule as part of its effort to abandon outdated 
approaches to intercarrier compensation, eliminate competitive distortions, and encourage the transition to 
IP-based networks and services.  The action we take today precludes carriers from advancing self-serving 
interpretations of this rule in an effort to skew the competitive landscape, today and into the future.  
I continue to believe that technology transitions will be speeded by technology-neutral rules that 
promote, preserve, and protect the competitive choices that consumers expect.  Today’s decision will help 
maintain those competitive choices through symmetrical treatment of like services and additional 
regulatory certainty for all parties.