Oct-23-2014 01:53 PM VITTER-DC (202)228-5858 
DAVID VITTER 
L.OUIIIANA 
DEPUTYWH. 
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The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
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WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
October 23, 2014 
Chainnan, Federal Communications Commission 
445 12111 Street, SW 
Washington. DC 20536 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
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Broadband Internet access has become an essential part of the economic and social fabric 
in many rural communities, as a tool to build businesses, apply for jobs, enhance educational 
opportunities, and connect to friends and relatives. With robust broadband service, even a small 
town can rely on its residents' talent and determination to compete with the world. Without It, 
the same community risks being left behind in today' a tec:hnology-cenLric economy. 
Phase II of the Connect America Fund ("CAF ll'') offers an opportunity to bring speedier 
broadband connections to millions of Americans who wouldn't otherwise have it, especially in 
rural areas, like much of Louisiana, served by the larger "price cap" carriers. Due to Lbe 
Commission's publicized efforts, many rural communities are counting on CAF II, and its rules 
will determine for years to come whether or not many rural communities have broadband 
service. The June 10 Further NPRM raised hopes t\Jnher by more than doublina the promised 
download speeds in the 2011 USFIICC Transformation Order, from 4 Mbps to 10 Mbps. 
It is important to ensure that the final details of CAF II live up to its promise. I am 
concerned that If the Commission more than doubles the speed requirements without allowing 
the appropriate level of tlexiblllty In other elements of CAF II, the program's overall mission 
could be endangered. To the Commission's credit, the June 10 FNPRM identifies a number of 
constructive ideas that could help achieve the network speed goals without exceeding the CAP II 
annual budget. These include extending the term of support up to ten years and providing 
flexibility on the build-out parameters. I hope you will take these ideas under consideration. 
I stronaly support efforts to eii!UI'C that funding is not used to support service where it 
already exists. Doing so ensures that limited resources will support broadband deployment to 
areas cun:ently without service and will not subject existing c:errlers to subsidized competition. In 
applyinJ standards, I encourage you to be as precise as possible in targeting support to areas 
where broadband would not otherwise be available. In the "Interim" CAF I phases, an entire 
census block could be disqualified if a competitive carrier claimed to serve only a small fraction 
of its customers, and many areas were disqualified based on the untested assertions of ilxed 
wireless ISPs with line of slaht and capacity issues. The Commission should work to target 
specific areas, avoid duplication, and use reasonable standards to verify competitive providers 
when considering applications for support. 
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Oct-23-2014 01:53 PM V!TTER-DC (202)228-5858 
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Thank you for considcrini these concerns, and I look forward to worldng with you to 
promote policies that will improve our nation's broadband infrastructure. 
Sincerely, \ I!JJ.. _ 
s ~~~ 
David Vitter 
U.S. Senator 
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