JERRY MORAN
KANSAS
361A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1606
F: 1202) 224-6521
F: 202) 228-6966
moran.senate.gOv
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COMMITTEES:
APPRO PR IATI ON S\\ BANKING, HOUSING, AND
URBAN AFFAIRS
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
January 29, 2015 Received & inspected
FEB UY2015
FCC Mail Room
The Honorable Thomas Wheeler
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
l2 Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Wheeler:
I write today to express my concern about the potential harmful impacts for those living
in rural areas and on tribal lands across the country if the Commission implements the proposed
reforms adopted in its December Order concerning high-cost ioop support (FCC 14-190).
Over the last few years, I have worked with and been supportive of the FCC's mission to
bring broadband to all Americans. Broadband access is essential to participate in the digital
economy. Broadband access and adoption can help overcome geographic isolation and bring
economic opportunity not only to urban families but also to rural and tribal families as well. As
you know, too many of our rural and tribal families, however, do not have access to this
transformational technology. This digital divide makes the benefits of broadband: economic
expansion, better access to healthcare, and more effective educational opportunities elusive for
too many of those living in rural and tribal communities.
I am concerned that the Commission's proposals for high-cost loop support could delay
broadband expansion in rural areas of Kansas and on tribal lands across the country, where
investment in fixed high speed Internet service is hindered by the cost of deploying and
maintaining the network. In Kansas alone, the high-cost ioop support reforms adopted in
December of last year are predicted to negatively impact nearly 75 percent of rural Kansas
providers, and would result in a net loss of millions of dollars per year to those serving the most
rural areas of my state. This reduction will slow efforts to expand Internet access and upgrade
broadband speeds across the state and on tribal lands.
I urge you to carefully consider the impact of this change on rural and Native American
communities in Kansas and across the country. I further urge you to consult with tribal
governments as called for in a resolution recently adopted by the National Congress of American
Indians. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
IIL- Yflorcu1
Jerry Moran
HAYS OFFICE MANHATTAN OFFICE OLATHE OFFICE PITTSBURG OFFICE WICHITA OFFICE
1200 MAIN STREET 923 WESTPORT PLACE 23600 COLLEGE BOULEVARD 306 N. BROADWAY STREET 3450 N. ROCK ROAD, BLDG 200
SUITE 402 SUITE 210 SUITE 201 SUITE 125 SUITE 209
HAYS, KS 67601 MANHATTAN, KS 66502 OLATHE, KS 66061 PITTSBURG, KS 66762 WICHITA, KS 67226