Federal Communications Commission	"FCC  XX-XXX"


STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL,
DISSENTING

Re: 	Petition of USTelecom for Forbearance Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §160(c) to Accelerate Investment in Broadband and Next-Generation Networks, WC Docket 18-141.

There was a time, not that long ago, when traditional voice telephony offered over copper loops was the core of our communications system.  No longer.  The technologies used to provide voice service have expanded and the digital age has brought a whole new range of communications services to homes and businesses across the country.
This change is exciting.  But in our haste to make way for the new, I worry we give short shrift to those consumers who depend upon the old.  There are still consumers who rely on traditional voice services provided via unbundled copper loops and avoided-cost resale.  By ushering these facilities out of the market and erasing their provision under the law, this decision risks cutting off calls and could leave consumers without options at the end of the line.  To this end, I am disappointed that this decision did not do more to guarantee a smooth transition for newly-ordered services, especially when it comes to government users that depend on these facilities.  I respectfully dissent.



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