ROY BLUNT 
MISSOURI 
VICE C•wR. SrNATE REPusucAN CONrrn£ Net 
260 Rt s ( ll Str~A TE OFFICE BUll !liNG 
WASt1t"<GT0"<, DC 20510-2&08 
202 224 5721 
tinitcd ~tares ~cnatc 
The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
September 3, 2014 
COMMiTT[t 
APPROPRIA TJONS 
ARMED SERVICES 
COMMERCE, SCIENCE 
AND TRANSPORTATION 
RULES AND AOMINISTRA nON 
I write to emphasize to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the importance 
of its final rules for Phase II of the Connect America Fund (CAF II). Bringing broadband to 
unserved households and businesses in Missouri is critical to rural development. 
In 2011 , the FCC undertook a monumental transition of the Universal Service program 
for many rural areas from telephony to broadband. I applaud the Commission for this effort. 
However, over the last several years, I have observed challenges the FCC faced implementing 
this transition as the rules have not always corresponded to real-world situations. Because CAF 
II represents the final phase of Universal Service reform for many rural areas, it is critically 
important the FCC heed the advice of local communities and stakeholders to ensure its rules for 
CAF II are practical , accountable, and targeted in order to extend broadband service where it 
does not already exist. 
The FCC's June 1 01h CAF II order and further notice of proposed rulemaking 
contemplates anum ber of changes - the details of which will likely determine the success of 
CAF II in Missouri, and across the country. Specifical ly, adopting a 10 Mbps download speed 
for CAF II support should be accompanied with a 1 0 year funding period to allow adequate time 
for construction. Moreover, the FCC needs to allow flexibility in final build out plans to account 
for specific situations that may not be amenable to a one-size-fits-all approach. Lastly, it is 
essential that the Commission ensure these limited funds are targeted to rural, unserved 
households and businesses. 
Households and businesses in Missouri stand to benefit from CAF II if it is implemented 
correctly. I strongly urge the Commission to reconcile its rules for CAF II with the practical 
challenges of building broadband to unserved areas. It is imperative to close the digital divide 
between rural and urban America, and the FCC must seize CAF II as an opportunity to do so. 
Roy Blu 
United States Senator 
www f<tcebook.com/senatorblunt www blunt.scndte.gov www.twitter.com royblunt