"A competitive telecommunications market - a market that allows multiple facilities-based and nonfacilities-based pathways for competitive entry and consumer choice - is best to encourage innovation in technology, lower rates and encourage investment," he said. Kennard referred to the U.S. Telecommunications Act of 1996, which cited competition as its guiding principle.

Kennard also spoke of the controversy over a universal service, which is designed to offer a stable supply of telecommunications services with uniform quality and affordable prices nationwide.

"We must recognize that this is not an act of charity, it is the promotion of opportunity," he said. "Advances in technology should always be considered opportunities, not threats to the established order. We should not avoid or fear this change, we should embrace it."