Arlington, VA– The American Consumer Institute (ACI) has submitted reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to update or forbear from Section 214 discontinuance requirements, which hinder broadband modernization. ACI notes that these nearly century-old regulations, originally designed for copper-based networks, impose unnecessary costs, delay investment, and restrict consumer access to faster, more reliable technologies like fiber and fixed wireless. Maintaining outdated copper networks costs an estimated $6 billion annually and exposes households to slower service, higher prices, and safety risks from copper theft.
ACI highlights a majority of industry support for reform, emphasizing that Section 214 rules no longer reflect today’s competitive broadband marketplace. The organization calls on the FCC to either forbear from enforcing these requirements where alternatives exist or revise the standards to streamline network upgrades. Doing so would reduce costs, accelerate deployment of modern communications infrastructure, and improve broadband access for American consumers.
Read ACI’s public comments here.
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The American Consumer Institute is a nonprofit education and research organization.