AMY KLOBUCHAA
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JOINT ECONOMfC COMr.'ITIEE
JUDICIARY
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WASHINGTON. OC 20510
March 16,2011
The Iiollorable Julius Gcnachowski
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Fedcral Communications Commission
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Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dcar Chainnan Gcnachowski:
We write to you today about wireless broadband and data roaming practices. Wireless data
scrvices are becoming an increasingly important part of consumers' daily lives. yet many
consumcrs suffer from a lack ofadequate wircless covcrage, particularly in mral areas. To
cnsurc (lUll aff consumers have access to wireless bro<1dband services, we urge the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to consider niles that ensure dma roaming is provided on
just and reasonable terms. This will help promote competition in the wireless industry and
encourage investment in the build-ollt of wireless data systems.
By establishing clem rules on data roaming. the FCC can help provide certailllY to both large and
small wireless providers. As you know, small wireless carriers in rural areas arc currently
unwilling or unable to expand their infrastructure due to the unavailabil ity of data roaming or the
fluctuation in the price ofdata roaming charged by large carriers. Similarly, large carriers have
linle incentive to improve rural service so long as uncertainty exists about future data roaming
requirements. This standoff shortclmnges consumers and denies businesses an important
communications tool.
That the fCC should consider clcar rules for data roaming is bolstered by the success of its 2007
ruling on voice roaming. Under that rulcˇˇ which set-up a system for negotiating voice roaming
ratesˇˇ carriers have been able to reach proˇconsumer roaming agrecmcnts and exorbitant
roaming charges have disappeared from phone bills. At the same time, smaller providers have
been able to increase their invcstment in infrastructure and consumers have benefitted from morc
competition and beller service. No\\'. as wireless data is quickly becoming a critical part of
consumers' cell phone needs, the FCC needs to do the sallle for data roaming.
We urge the FCC to ensure conSUlllers have access to seamless data covcrage and to incclltivizc
carrier investment and innovation in wireless network services. We look forward [0 working
with yOll on this issue.
United States Senator
Sincerely,
John . Kerry
Unitˇˇd States Senator
0343