The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on a network modernization plan at its March 26 Open Meeting.  The decision will shape the country’s digital future and be a cornerstone for the 21st century economy.

Outdated rules have been forcing providers to pour money into old copper lines, the same kind of infrastructure that powered telephone landlines decades ago.  These systems were not built for how we connect with one another today.  

Copper lines are slower, more prone to outages, and less reliable in extreme weather.  The value of copper makes copper lines increasingly susceptible to crime. These are real vulnerabilities that lead to service disruptions.

Wireless connectivity is now central to Americans’ daily lives.  Most households now rely primarily—and in some cases, entirely—on wireless services.  Only 1.4 percent of Americans rely solely on copper-based phone service.

The transition away from copper helps bring the regulatory environment in line with the reality of modern consumer wants and needs.  Streamlining cumbersome regulations that impede the transition away from outdated networks, stands to spur investment into modern infrastructure. 

Industry analysts indicate that part of the stated goal is to “free up tens of billions of dollars annually in private capital” currently spent maintaining copper networks, allowing providers to invest in fiber, fixed wireless, and other next-generation technologies—in addition to wireless networks.

Network modernization matters not just for convenience, but also for creating economic opportunity.

Reliable connectivity enables students to participate in online learning, gives families access to telehealth services, and empowers entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, kickstarting job creation.

For example, a recent study showed that “rural counties with high broadband adoption rates of over 80% have significant advantages over those with low usage, including 213% higher business growth rates,10% higher self-employment growth rates, 44% higher GDP growth rates, and 18% higher per capita income growth rates.”

Broadband access matters to those rural and other segments of the country that are still not reaping the full rewards of increased connectivity.  The gap in access to communication technologies— known as the digital divide—hurts millions in underserved communities. 

By now Americans have a strong understanding of just how they benefit from connectivity and the digital economy.  Regulators should ensure Americans have access to the tools they are clearly demanding.  The FCC attention to the transition to modern communication networks is a constructive step.