FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISS ION W AS HI NGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Fred Upton Chairman Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives 2125 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Upton: June 27,2014 Thank you for your letter urging swift action on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), WT Docket No. 13-238, In the Matter of Acceleration of Broadband Deployment by Improving Wireless Facilities Siting Policies, which the Commission initiated on September 26, 2013, as a follow-up to the Public Notice released in January of2013. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. I agree that we must do more to expand existing networks and deploy the next generation networks to meet the demand for wireless broadband. Simply put, we cannot have high-speed broadband if we do not have high-speed deployment. Increasing certainty in the FCC's processes and removing barriers to infrastructure deployment will spur public and private investment, while expanding wireless coverage and capacity throughout the nation. Commission staff has been reviewing the record after comments and reply comments in the docket were filed by January and February of this year, respectively. I intend to present proposed final rules to my fellow Commissioners yet this year. Clarifying and implementing Section 6409(a), as well as expediting processes, removing barriers, and cutting red tape are important steps for efficient deployment of infrastructure to support mobile broadband coverage and capacity. As you indicated, we sought comment in the NPRM on what remedies should be available and how to interpret and define certain terms in Section 6409(a) including: "substantially change the physical dimensions," "existing wireless tower or base station," and "may not deny, and shall approve," among others. We are also exploring how best to facilitate the deployment of small cells for targeted capacity and the use of temporary towers. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if l can be of any further assistance. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CfiAIRMAN June 27, 2014 The Honorable Greg Walden Chairman Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives 2125 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Walden: Thank you for your letter urging swift action on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), WT Docket No. 13-238, In the Matter of Acceleration of Broadband Deployment by Improving Wireless Facilities Siting Policies, which the Commission initiated on September 26, 2013, as a follow-up to the Public Notice released in January of2013. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. I agree that we must do more to expand existing networks and deploy the next generation networks to meet the demand for wireless broadband. Simply put, we cannot have high-speed broadband if we do not have high-speed deployment. Increasing certainty in the FCC's processes and removing barriers to infrastructure deployment will spur public and private investment, while expanding wireless coverage and capacity throughout the nation. Commission staff has been reviewing the record after comments and reply comments in the docket were filed by January and February of this year, respectively. I intend to present proposed final rules to my fellow Commissioners yet this year. Clarifying and implementing Section 6409(a), as well as expediting processes, removing barriers, and cutting red tape are important steps for efficient deployment of infrastructure to support mobile broadband coverage and capacity. As you indicated, we sought comment in the NPRM on what remedies should be available and how to interpret and define certain terms in Section 6409(a) including: "substantially change the physical dimensions," "existing wireless tower or base station," and "may not deny, and shall approve," among others. We are also exploring how best to facilitate the deployment of small cells for targeted capacity and the use of temporary towers. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely,