Media Contact:
David Grossman, (202) 418-2100
david.grossman@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release

FCC Commissioner Clyburn Invites
Additional Submissions for the #Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan
WASHINGTON, November 10, 2016 – Today, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn announced
that she is inviting additional “pitch” submissions as a part of the upcoming release of the
#Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan.
Last month, academics, practitioners, and other thought leaders came to Washington, D.C. to
participate in Commissioner Clyburn’s #Solutions2020 Policy Forum. Invited participants each
gave a three minute solutions-focused “pitch” followed by an audience Q&A session and a one
minute closing statement aimed at addressing many of the toughest challenges facing the
communications sector, including affordability, digital inclusion, and broadband-enabled
healthcare.
A video recording of the forum is now available for viewing: Part 1 and Part 2.
During the forum, Commissioner Clyburn also outlined six pillars targeted at several of the
biggest challenges confronting the communications sector:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Ensuring Affordable Communications
Empowering Communities
Broadband as a Driver of Improved Health Services
Promoting a More Diverse Media Landscape
5G and Beyond for All Americans
Enhancing Consumer Protections

How to Submit a Solutions-Focused “Pitch”:
Pitch submissions should propose a specific solution to an issue facing the communications
sector and be a maximum of 350 words in length. It is encouraged to submit a “pitch” that falls
within one of the six categories described above.
Please email your pitch to Solutions2020@fcc.gov. All submissions must be received by 5:30
p.m. Eastern Time on November 28, 2016 and may subsequently be posted on the Commission’s
website.

All pitch submissions which reference open proceedings must also comply with the
Commission’s ex parte rules. A discussion of those rules can be found at
https://www.fcc.gov/proceedings-actions/ex-parte.
Submitted ideas will be considered for inclusion in the #Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan which
will be publicly released before the end of this year.
Background on #ConnectingCommunities and the #Solutions2020 Policy Forum:
In April, 2016, Commissioner Clyburn announced the #ConnectingCommunities tour as a way to
hear first-hand about the opportunities and challenges of bringing affordable, diverse and
competitive communications services to all Americans. During the tour, Commissioner Clyburn
visited the following communities:
 Boston, Massachusetts
 Charleston County, South Carolina
 Chandler/Phoenix, Arizona
 Denver, Colorado
 Indian Land, South Carolina
 Morgantown/Kingwood, West Virginia
 Newark, New Jersey
 New York, New York
 Navajo Nation, New Mexico
 Palo Alto/San Francisco, California
 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 San Diego, California
 Seattle, Washington
On October 19, 2016, Commissioner Clyburn hosted the #Solutions2020 Policy Forum at
Georgetown University Law Center. The forum was the culmination of the Commissioner’s sixmonth #ConnectingCommunities tour.