fcc_ecfs:FCC-2026-1024-0001:109290324025179

The National Center for Frontier Communities was founded in 1997 to provide national leadership and build collaboration on issues important to sparsely populated, isolated and remote communities across the United States. While advanced technologies are beginning to reach some of these communities, the overwhelming majority are served by landline telephones. Landlines remain the lifelines in frontier and rural America. There are many safety reasons to assure that utilities and telephone service providers are required to upgrade and improve landline technology. This comment will focus on three key reasons for modernizing the copper wire landline communication systems. 1. Copper landlines work in emergencies when even when power is out. 2. Cell phone networks are often inoperable in emergency situations such as wildfires, but landlines continue to be functional. 3. Modems and routers, which are essential for cable and fiber optic connections, require a constant power supply. Home backup and battery systems can be unreliable and not have enough power storage to operate during lengthy power outages. Landline customers have paid for the system to be maintained. We have been charged many billions of dollars in rate increases over the past two decades that were diverted into developing cellular systems without improving landline systems or making the cellular systems either "universal" or affordable. On behalf of frontier and rural communities, we urge the FCC from adopting any rules that intentionally or unintentionally might result in reducing lifesaving, affordable technology available to homes and businesses across the country. Carol Miller Director National Center for Frontier Communities