Ju1.28.2009 1:10PM
CHARI.ES E. SCHUMER
NEW YORK
Office of Sen. Charles Schumer
tlnitro~tatfS~rnatr
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
July 28, 2009
No. 3279 P. 2
COMMfTlEES'
JOINT ECONOMIC
6ANKING
JUDICIARY
RULES
FINANCE
Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chainnan Genachowski:
I write to request that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expeditiously review the
denial ofa resident ofYonkers, NY to enroll in the TracFone prepaid cellular telephone service's
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Yonkers was denied a subscription to the SafeLink-- a discounted or free telephone service based
on income-eligiblity-- because SafeLink is only able to enroll one consumer per household
address. This is problematic because the Regency Extended Care Center, which is a nursing
home, houses multiple residencies. I ask that FCC review what I believe to be an error in
denying SafeLink service.
SafeLink is an important resource to consumers who cannot afford cellular telephone service. In
a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on the ability to communicate quickly, it is
important that low-income consumers are not denied access to telecommunications technology.
Cellular telephones are important tools that help consumers, especially those that are elderly,
remain in close contact with family members and emergency services personnel.
While I appreciate that SafeLink is a public service that is subjected to funding constraints, and
therefore only one subscription is awarded per household, I believe that the denial ofa nursing
home resident was made in error. I ask that FCC look at the circumstances surrounding the
Regency Extended Care Center in Yonkers, as well as any other instances ofresidents of
buildings with multiple households, so that we can ensure no one is denied access to cellular
telephone service.
1205
Ju1.28.2009 1:10PM Office of Sen. Charles Schumer No. 3279 P. 3
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Ifyouhav~any questions or require
additional infonnation, please contact Katie Kulpa in my Washington, DC office at 202-224 
6542.
CCi:-y,
CharleSE~
United States Senator
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SENATe
SENATOR FOR NEW YORK STATE
CHARLES E.SCHUMER
~«Jul,28, 2009 1: 10PM
I
Office of Sen, Charles Schumer
No,3279 P, 1
Office ofUnited States Senator
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