NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).
News Media Information 202-418-0500
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 12, 2013 Matthew Berry, 202-418-2005
Email:  Matthew.Berry@fcc.gov
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI
ON THE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO END THE QRA BENCHMARKS
Today is a good day for rural America.  For over a year, I and many others have warned 
that the quantile regression analysis (QRA) benchmarks adopted in the 2011 Universal Service 
Transformation Order have increased regulatory uncertainty, chilled the investment climate, and 
impeded the deployment of broadband to rural Americans.  That said, the benchmarks have been 
a feature of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund reforms for over two years.  Accordingly, it is no 
small matter, either in terms of policy or politics, to change course.  
It is with gratitude, then, that I welcome and applaud Chairman Wheeler’s announcement 
that he intends to end the QRA benchmarks.  Ending regulatory uncertainty is the right thing to 
do, especially given that the QRA benchmarks did not save the Fund one dollar.  I am hopeful 
that today’s news means that bringing next-generation technologies to our nation’s rural citizens 
will be a priority during Chairman Wheeler’s tenure, and I look forward to continue working 
with him to make that happen.