HEIDI HEITKAMP COMMITTEES: NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY HART SENATE BUILDING 502 WASHINGTON, DC 20510 PH: 202-224-2043 BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS FAX: 202- 224- 7776 TOLL FREE: 1- 800-223-4457 CJ.!initrd ~tatrs ~rnatr HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS http://www.heitkamp.senate.gov WASHINGTON, DC 20510 September 3, 2014 INDIAN AFFAIRS SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554-0004 Dear Chairman Wheeler: I write about the Connect America Fund Phase II rules currently under review and request your attention to several key issues of concern raised by providers in my state of North Dakota to enhance certainty and predictability for price cap carriers. Providers in North Dakota, even with its vast rural spaces, have made great strides in improving access to broadband throughout the state. Yet, there are still areas of the state which present unique challenges, including our Indian reservations and the western oil region. The Connect America Fund Phase II provides an opportunity to close the digital-divide in these areas. The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking dated June 10, 2014, proposes to increase downstream speeds from 4mbps to 1Om bps. I support the goal of proposing a speed which will be comparable to urban areas. However, I have heard concerns from providers in my state about ensuring the speed standard applies to all carriers in order to not leave anyone behind and the need for a 1 0 year timeframe for support to allow providers the ability to make the proper infrastructure improvements. In addition, providers have expressed the need for flexibility to substitute extremely high cost locations with unserved locations in partially served census blocks to allow these funds to reach as many people as possible. The broadband technology we implement today will affect consumers in the years to come. In a time when access to broadband has become essential to our economy, we must make sure we are meeting the demands in a responsible, timely, and efficient manner. I hope you will take these concerns into account as you work to finalize the regulations. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ~~~~p~lJ~ United States Senate BISMARCK OFFICE: FARGO OFFICE: MINOT OFFICE: 228 FEDERAL BUILDING 220 EAST ROSSER AVENUE BISMARCK, NO 58501 PH: 701-258-4648 FAX: 701-258-1254 DICKINSON OFFICE: 40 1ST AVENUE WEST SuiTE 202 DICKINSON, NO 58601 PH: 701-225-0974 FAX: 701-225-3287 306 FEDERAL BUILDING 657 SECOND AVENUE NORTH FARGO, NO 58102 GRAND FORKS OFFICE: 33 S. 3RD ST., SUITE B GRAND FORKS, NO 58201 PH: 701-775-9601 FAx: 701-746-1990 105 FEDERAL BUILDING 100 FIRST STREET s.w. PH: 701-232-8030- 1-800-223-4457 FAx: 701-232-6449 MINOT, ND 58701 PH: 701-852-0703 FAX: 701-838-8196