KELLY A. AYOTTE 
NEW HAMPSHIRE 
COMMITTEES: 
ARMED SERVICES 
COMMERCE 
HOMELAND SECURITY & 
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 
BUDGET 
AGING 
1anitrd ~tatrs ~rnatr 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
(202) 224-3324 
July 9, 2014 
The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
144 RuSSELL BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
1200 ELM STREET, SUITE 2 
MANCHESTER, NH 03101 
144 MAIN STREET 
NASHUA, NH 03060 
14 MANCHESTER SOUARE, SUITE 140 
PORTSMOUTH, NH 03801 
19 PLEASANT STREET, SUITE 13B 
BERLIN, NH 03570 
As the FCC prepares to vote this Friday on proposed changes to the E-Rate 
program, I am writing to renew my call for meaningful reform that distributes E­
Rate funds more equitably, simplifies the application process and reduces 
administrative burdens, and gives schools greater flexibility to spend funds on 
technologies that directly benefit students. 
Schools and libraries in New Hampshire, especially rural areas, are in dire need of 
communications services. Minor tweaks to the current system will fail to address 
these urgent needs. 
The intent of E-Rate is to provide rural, urban, and suburban students the same 
access to quality communications services. But the current E-Rate distribution 
formula fails states like New Hampshire, where many schools and libraries remain 
unserved or underserved despite the fact that we are proportionally the largest 
donor state in the country. In fact, New Hampshire ranks 50 out of 50 states when 
it comes to return on our E-Rate dollar. For example, in 2012, New Hampshire 
contributed over $10.3 million, but received only $2.6 million - amounting to a 
return of only 25.2 cents on the dollar. 
To give students in New Hampshire and other rural states a fairer shake, we need 
real E-Rate reform. That means simplifying the process by reducing the paperwork 
needed to apply for funding. It also means distributing aid to schools on a more 
equitable per-student basis (rather than the complex discount formula that the 
program now uses). Moreover, this means giving schools the flexibility to spend E­
Rate funds on technologies that directly benefit students, instead of a complicated 
system of technology priorities dictated by Washington. 
A final, critical point: Unless and until reforms like these are adopted, the FCC 
should not consider an increase in the size of the E-Rate budget. Without 
substantial operational changes to the program, and adequate time to study the 
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effectiveness of those changes, any budget increase would be both premature and 
harmful to the consumers who would have to pay for it. 
As you finalize your rulemaking, the Commission must work in a bipartisan 
manner that will deliver true reform and equity to the program - not just tinker 
around the edges. Working in partnership with all five commissioners will also 
increase the credibility of E·rate and the reforms undertaken. This is an important 
opportunity to work in a collaborative manner to achieve the E-Rate reforms that so 
many rural communities desperately need. I look forward to working with you and 
your FCC colleagues to achieve this objective. 
Sincerely, 
~~a.~ 
Kelly A. Ayotte 
U.S. Senator 
Cc: Commissioner Mignon Clyburn 
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel 
Commissioner Ajit Pai 
Commissioner Michael O'Rielly