TIM GRIFFIN 2ND OISTflICT, ARKANSAS ASSll!ITANT MAJORITY WHIP 1501 NORTH UNIVI!I'lSITY AVeNUl! SUIT! 150 L.mu; ROCK, AR 72207 PHONe: (501)324-5941 FAX: (501) 324-6029 1232 L.ONGWOIlTtl HOUI!O~PlCEBUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 PHONE: (202)225-2506 FAX: (202) 225-6903 QCongre~~of tbe mntteb~tate~ ~OUUtof l'tprtUtntatibtU Dallbington, 18fl 20515-0402 June 14,2011 COMMmEE ON ARMED SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEe ON READINESS SUBCOMMITTEe ON SEAPOweA ANO PROJE:CTION FORces COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY SUIICOMMITTl:E ON CRIME, TERAOAISM, AND HOMELAAO SeCUAITY SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, COMPEilnON, ANO THE INT£RNET COMMmEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS SU8COMMITTF:E ON EUROPE ANO EUAASIA IVICE CHAlAMAN) SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRORISM, NONPROLifeRATION, AND TRACE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFAICA, GLOBAL HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS The Honorable Julius Genachowski Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Genachowski: I write in support ofthe proposed merger ofAT&T and T-Mobile USA and urge you to support it. This merger will expand access to broadband services and create jobs for my constituents in the Second Congressional District, throughout the State ofArkansas and across the nation. This is a transaction between two private sector job creators who should have the freedom to conduct business transactions free from government intervention unless legally prohibited. Having examined this merger, I see no legal barrier to it proceeding. Further, this merger will greatly benefit Arkansas families and businesses in a number ofways, ineluding: • Acquisition ofneeded spectrum. AT&T will acquire the spectrum it needs to build out its 4G network in Arkansas and across the United States. This investment will expand broadband access to approximately 55 million Amcricans in both urban and rural communities. • Connecting rural communities. Expanding broadband scrvices will especially benefit the economies ofunderserved rural communities. Approximately 40 percent ofArkansans live in rural areas, and this merger would strengthen broadband infrastructure in communities in my district like Perryville, Greenbrier, and Vilonia. • Economic growth. The introdJ!ction of4G broadband services to Arkansas communities will serve as a catalyst for economic development, workforce training, education, and industry. WWW.GI.lI~.IN.HoUSE.GOVWWW.FACEBOOK.COMIREPTIMGRIFFIN WWW.TWITTER.CoMlREPTIMGRIFFlN Chainnan Genachowski Page 2 of2 June 14,2011 As the American economy continues to evolve, expanding access to the Internet and wireless phone services is essential to private sector job creation and connecting communities and businesses. I am adding my voice to the chorus ofstate and local leaders in Arkansas that have expressed support for this merger and am including some oftheir letters for your reference, and I urge you to ensure that the merger receives a fair and expeditious review. Sincerely, ~. Tim Griffin Member ofCongress City of uttle Rock Mark Stodola Mayor city Hal, Room 203 500W. MadIham UIt1e Rock,~72201-1427 Phone: (501) 371-4510 Fax: (5011371-4498 www.lllIterock.org May 12, 2011 The Honorable Tim Griffin United States Congmlsman 1501 North University Avenue, Suite 150 Little Rock, AR 72207 Dearcongres.4~ There continues to be pressure on the government to "invest" in new jobs through more spending, while at the same time we face unprecedented budget cuts. However, we have an opportunity to create a pro-jobs environment without spending more tax dollars. I hope you will actively support the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA, which will help provide the next generation wireless infrastructure that will make job growth possible in Little Rock, in Arkansas and in the entire country. By bringing these two companies together, AT&T will be able to provide high-speed wireless broadband service to an additional 55 million Americans - reaching 97 percent of the country. As more and more applications move to the wireless realm, we need this high-speed network in order to provide not only voice calling, but also hundreds ofthousands ofdata applications. It is bard to be an involved consumer or informed citizen without Internet access. Today onjust the borne page of Little Rock's web site, residents can get the details on curbside recycling, apply for a new business license, volunteer for a city board or commission, submit an online bid for a city project or learn about their flood insurance options. The Internet provides a -utb of information and connects citizens with city services. In fact, the edge of the technology curve is where we also will see many startups companies, with entrepreneurs creating new jobs, new competition and new opportunities for American workers. investors and consumers. Just as we could not have forecast the online world oftoday a few years ago, we cannot imagine what will be around the next corner when virtually all areas of the country have high-speed wireless service. I urge you to support this business acquisition and ensure that all ofour citizens will have access to this next generation ofwireless data services. Sincere»'/ /t1I£ Mark Stodola Mayor cc: Governor Mike Beebe STATE OF ARKANSAS Mark A. Darr Lieutenant Governor May 9, 20ll The Honorable Tim Griffin 1232 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Congressman Griffin, As you wel1 know, our state and our nation are in perilous economic times. The economic development ofArkansas is always at the forefront ofmy focus each day. It is with this in mind that I am writing to urge your support ofthe proposed acquisition ofT Mobile USA by AT&T. This deal will invigorate our state and national economies. With their combined resources, they will be more equipped to provide a better quality ofservice while rolling out the newest and most advanced networks to all comers ofthe country. The combined companies will also significantly build out the most advanced wireless broadband network possible. Not only will this plan do its part to accomplish the National Broadband Plan, it will bring new and exciting opportunities to Arkansas, especially rural Arkansas. When I started my business, I saw firsthand the effects broadband Internet has on local businesses. Through this technology, I was able to reach out to consumers, engage with suppliers and make my business more efficient. I hope to provide the same opportunities I enjoyed to the entire state ofArkansas. AT&T's acquisition ofT-Mobile will be a big step forward in bringing the valuable tool ofconnectivity to all corners ofArkansas and the United States as a whole. Sincerely, MarkA. Darr Lieutenant Governor ofArkansas State Capitol' Suite 270 • Little Rock. Arkansas 72201-1061 (50 I) 682-2144 • Fax (50\) 682-2894 • ..:-mail: mark.dnl'l'rji,urkans:ls.yt H CITY OF BENTON CITY OF BENTON David Mattingly MAYOR BENTON May 9,2011 ARKANSAS The Honorable Tim Griffin 1232 Longworth House Office Building, District of Columbia 20515-Q402 Fax: (202) 225-5903 Dear Congressman Griffin, On behalf of the citizens of Benton, I want to thank you for your service. I am writing today to offer my thoughts on an important economic development issue for Benton and the state of Arkansas. As you know, Congressional committees will soon hold hearings to review the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile. I believe that this proposed merger would have a number of positive impacts on our state and for consumers that don't have access to traditional broadband services, like cable and D5L, or wireless broadband. First and foremost, this merger will provide AT&T with a significant amount of spectrum to deploy its 4G mobile broadband services statewide. The current reality is that some consumers, particularly those in rural communities, have limited (or nol options for high-speed Internet access. This merger will give them one more choice In receiving this critical service. second, an expansion in high-speed mobile broadband services offers enormous potential for our local businesses, medical professionals, and schools to take advantage of new technologies that will ailow them to Innovate, prOVide new services, and reach new people in need, The free-market often serves as one of our country's greatest innovators, and should be allowed to flourish. I hope that you also see the value in this proposed merger and lend your support to this important transaction. MAYOR'S OFFICE • CITY HALL • P.O. BOX 607 • BENTON. ARKANSA5 7eOlB • 501-776-5900 ---- .- GILBERT BAJ\'ER SF.NAIDR 3OI'H Dllmucr ClfI:rm 501--329-9999 HJMEc 501-327-8653 !#lbcn.bal.L~jV~...\,:;i;")[1'.' THE SENATE STATE Oli' ARKANSAS HAl 202011 May 6,2011 The Honorabie:. 11m Giiffii, United States Congressman United States Congress 1232 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-0402 Dear Congressman Griffin: Over the past ten to fifteen years, technology has developed at an extraordinarily fast rate. Wireless broadband services, which allow end users high-speed intemet access regardless of location, are becoming an important part of the broadband industry. As a result of the recent merger announcement from AT&T and T-Mobile we are sure to see an even greater expansion of mobile broadband services across the Unites States and Arkansas. If approved by regulators, this merger will pave the way for 97% of Americans to receive Long Term Evolution wireless broadband access, covering nearly all of Arkansas. Internet access has become vital to the economic growth and development for industry of all sizes. In this global economy, high-speed internet gives businesses the ability to reach partners and customers around the world. Because of the cost of laying fiber optic networks in sparsely populated areas, individuals living or working in rural areas are sometimes forgotten when it.comes to establishing this essential infrastructure. The 1:Jt:11t:!l1t& this merger offel's if. teims of de!iverii1gmobilE: broadband wiH g!ve those !!vire or working in rural communities the same wireless broadband opportunities as someone living in the state's largest city. As the Senate begins discussions, I ask you to please keep in mind the positive impact it would have on Arkansans, particularly those living in rural parts of our state, and join me in supporting the merger. RespectfUlly, Jeremy Hut jnso State Senator District 22 .... f\rr- C ',J':' I • REPRESENTATIVE Jane Engli.h 35 PUNlft (lkJ... Cif.:)., Nodh lJulu R..clrt, AR 72120.1546 501·257.7670 coilB",ill."",~ 501-835-1465 Rwid lO:U ;.lw.ltI1,lillh@.rbInl,(M~).rl~ D1STRICr 42 Counti",: Putf.llUI'IW~ Pari Pul...~j COMMITTEES, r;Juo:..tion Hit;Iher Edu.:aUonS~,kU'lllUjlt\XI Vkg Ciloilitl'''noou, City, C....unly .nd I..o-:al Alf..in Joillt C"mnliltflO 1111 Enel'!& STATE OF ARKANSAS HAY 20.2011 May 13,2011 The Honorable Tim Griffin United StIItcs Rqxerm lllti ve 1232 Longworth Houle Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Griffin: On~fofthe people ofArkansas, I want to Uumk Y9u, for your leadership in CQ!lgrcss.,· . When I talk to constituents in my legislative district, the economy is usually the first concern they have. I have spent more than two decades working on economic development and workforce training, with a single goal in mind creating better job opportunities for Arkansans. I know that with improved education and worker training, lower taxes, less government regulation, better highways and the right incentives for industry, Arkansans will sec growth in jobs, income and a higher standard of living. And when it comes to the private sector, I believe in the power of the free-market to drive innovation, competition, and growth. I'm sure you are aware that AT&T and T-Mobile recently announced their intentions to merge. I understand that the Federal Communications Commission, Department ofJustice, and Congress will all be reviewing this transaction. I think this merger is a prime example of where we should let the free-1JIlII'ket work. Broadband access is becoming more and more available in Arleansas, however not everyone in our state will have access to high-speed services likecabl~and DSL For, some.areas, it's simply not Pf8Ctical. That is why newcutting edge mobile broadband services are so important for the future. 05/1312011 2 To that end, this merger will give AT&T the spectrum it needs to roll out its next generation (40) of mobile broadband to more than 97% of Americans, and nearly aU of Arbnsas. Introducing mobile high-speed internet llCrVices to underserved areas will jumpstart eoonomic development,~ training, education, and industry in a significant way. I hope that you will join me in supporting this important merger. and ensuring dtat this important setVice makes its way to all Arkansans. ;::~~ Jane English State R.epresentative District 42