OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
March 2, 2010
The Honorable Rick Boucher
Chairman
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology,
and the Internet
Committee on Energy and Commerce
316 Ford House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Boucher:
Thank you for your letter regarding the implementation ofthe National Broadband Plan
to promote universal availability and access to high-quality broadband for all Americans. I value
your insights and recommendations.
I am in complete agreement that we must ensure universal availability ofbroadband
access, and that we should put in place a comprehensive blueprint for high levels ofbroadband
service speeds over the next several years. In this respect, the Commission is evaluating public,
private, and cooperative efforts of all sorts and is considering short, medium, and long-term
actions to improve universal service programs. We are also assessing our experience with the
Rural Health Care programs to refine such initiatives to expand affordable broadband
connectivity more effectively. Through these programs and other effOlis, we hope to close the
gaps on universal broadband availability and adoption.
The second goal you recommend is to establish ambitious, but achievable benchmarks for
broadband service speeds. I agree that setting such benchmarks is an important component of
developing an effective broadband plan. I have recently suggested that our aspirational high
speed goal should be affordable broadband access to 100 million homes by 2020, at a minimum
speed of 100 Mbps. It is essential that we aspire to meet the broadband infrastructure needs of
the future. As you mention, these networks will be the foundation for the nation's long-term
economic stability and prosperity.
I appreciate your views and input on this matter, and I will make your letter a part ofthe
record in the Commission's open docket regarding its development of a National Broadband
Plan. I look forward to working with you as the Commission undertakes the development of a
broadband plan that can serve our nation for years to come. Please let me know ifI can be of
any further assistance.
Julius Genachowski