The Federal Communications Commission has launched a set of voluntary experiments to prepare for the transition to all-IP networks. The US regulator's experiments will focus on how the underlying operation of networks can be preserved and enhanced throughout technology change. These values are fundamental: public safety communications must be available no matter the technology, all Americans must have access to affordable communications services, competition in the marketplace provides choice for consumers and businesses and consumer protection is paramount, the FCC said.
The experiments will gather information in three broad areas: service-based experiments, targeted experiments and cooperative research and data improvement. Providers are invited to submit proposals to initiate tests of providing IP-based alternatives to existing services in defined geographic areas or situations. Proposals are due 20 February, followed by a public comment and reply period ending on 31 March, and final decision on the proposals made at the FCC's May meeting.
Experiments will focus on ways to deliver robust broadband to rural areas and development with funding of inter-agency research on IP-based technologies for people with disabilities. A numbering testbed will address concerns raised about number assignment and databases in an all-IP world, without disrupting current systems.
Data improvement experiments will reform the FCC's consumers complaint and inquiry process to collect better data on how technological change is impacting consumer values, intergovernmental collaboration to better understand consumer impact and collection and analysis of data on next-generation 911 systems in coordination with the US Department of Transportation's National 911 office and public safety associations.
