COMMITIEE ON 
OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM TIM WALBERG 
7TH DISTRICT, MICHIGAN 
COMMITIEE ON 
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August 13, 2014 
Mr. Thomas Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 1ih Street, SW 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
AUG ·1 o L:U 14 
FCC Mail Room 
On behalf of my constituents in the ih Congressional District of Michigan, I respectfully urge 
the FCC take appropriate steps to ensure Connect America Fund ("CAF") Phase II is allocated in 
a manner to guarantee its goals of providing broadband service to the most rural parts of our 
country. Whether it is a non-traditional option, like the rural electric cooperative that serves 
much of my district, or a price cap or rate-of-return carrier, a publicly-driven, open and 
competitive process will yield the best solution for rural Americans currently on the wrong side 
of our nation's digital divide. Broadband has quickly become a necessity of life for rural 
America, and is essential for the continued growth, productivity and economic competitiveness 
for many of the communities I represent. As such the current gaps in rural broadband access 
must be addressed and warrant the FCC's consideration of new options that encourage 
competition and result in meaningful solutions. 
As you are aware, in response to the rural trials set forth in your January 31, 2014 Order, more 
than 1,000 expressions of interest were filed with the FCC providing ideas and solutions to the 
issue of broadband coverage in un-served and underserved parts of rural America. I believe this 
response signifies a market interest that bodes well for rural America and I look forward to 
seeing the results of the Rural Experiments this fall. 
As the FCC moves forward with CAF Phase II, I encourage you to deliberate thoughtfully to 
ensure the goals of CAF are realized. Due to the significant funds behind this initiative it is 
imperative that we get this right. If the goal of CAF is to promote access to robust broadband 
infrastructure, we must take steps to incent those platforms and those entities possessing both the 
appetite and ability to deploy meaningful network solutions in the rural space. For example, 
with the infrastructure and billing relationships already in place, allowing electric coops to 
compete for CAF Phase II funding would help increase competition and encourage more 
affordable pricing and improved broadband access for rural consumers. 
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The next five years has the potential of closing. a digital divide that now limits opportunities for 
much of my district. From agriculture to education, job opportunities to simple daily tasks, next­
generation broadband is as essential in rural areas as it is to the rest of the country. I urge the 
FCC to stay the current course implemented in the Rural Experiments and allow all interested 
parties to compete to bring robust broadband to rural areas. The CAF disbursement process must 
encourage universal access, competition, public input and a robust broadband solution for rural 
America. 
Sincerely, 
Member of Congress