FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015
THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Edward Whitfield
U.S. House of Representatives
2184 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Whitfield:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21St century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Edward Whitfield
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
((\ FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Rick Allen
U.S. House of Representatives
513 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Allen:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21St century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Rick Allen
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
MMIss\0
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Mark Amodei
U.S. House of Representatives
222 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Amodei:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Mark Amodei
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
(8) FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CoMMissioN
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Andy Barr
U.S. House of Representatives
1432 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Barr:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Andy Barr
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Rob Bishop
U.S. House of Representatives
123 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bishop:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Ut century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Rob Bishop
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Rod Blum
U.S. House of Representatives
213 Caimon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Blum:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Rod Blum
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
MISS'
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Mike Bost
U.S. House of Representatives
1440 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bost:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Mike Bost
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015
THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Charles Boustany
U.S. House of Representatives
1431 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Boustany:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Ut century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Charles Boustany
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
P) FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONWASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Jim Bridenstine
U.S. House of Representatives
216 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bridenstine:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2l century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Jim Bridenstine
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Susan W. Brooks
U.S. House of Representatives
1505 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Brooks:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Susan W. Brooks
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATJONS COMMIssIoN
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Ken Buck
U.S. House of Representatives
416 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Buck:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Ken Buck
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
%fMI5s0
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Larry Bucshon
U.S. House of Representatives
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bucshon:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Ut century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Larry Bucshon
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
1'
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015
THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Cheri Bustos
U.S. House of Representatives
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Bustos:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Cheri Bustos
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
(I1' FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015
THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Earl L. Carter
U.S. House of Representatives
432 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Carter:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Earl L. Carter
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Torn Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver
U.S. House of Representatives
2335 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Cleaver:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
(I\) FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Mike Coffman
U.S. House of Representatives
2443 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Coffman:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Mike Coffman
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Tom Cole
U.S. House of Representatives
2458 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Cole:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21St century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Tom Cole
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
1
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Doug Collins
U.S. House of Representatives
513 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Collins:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Doug Collins
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Torn Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
%fMIsS#
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Michael Conaway
U.S. House of Representatives
2430 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Conaway:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and tecimology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Michael Conaway
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Kevin Cramer
U.S. House of Representatives
1032 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Cramer:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Kevin Cramer
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS C0MM!ss!0N
WASHINGTON
fMISS'
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Rick Crawford
U.S. House of Representatives
1711 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Crawford:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice 0/Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Rick Crawford
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
4MIS04
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Rodney Davis
U.S. House of Representatives
1740 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Davis:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Ut century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Rodney Davis
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio
U.S. House of Representatives
2134 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman DeFazio:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Diana DeGette
U.S. House of Representatives
2368 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman DeGette:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Diana DeGette
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Scott DesJarlais
U.S. House of Representatives
413 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman DesJarlais:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Scott DesJarlais
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CoMMIssION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Sean P. Duffy
U.S. House of Representatives
1208 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Duffy:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Sean P. Duffy
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
4u
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Jeff Duncan
U.S. House of Representatives
116 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Duncan:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Ut century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Jeff Duncan
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
p
Tom Wheeler
(11) FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH I NGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Renee Elimers
U.S. House of Representatives
426 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Elimers:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and teclmology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Renee Elimers
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Blake Farenthold
U.S. House of Representatives
117 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Farenthold:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Blake Farenthold
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
() FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONWASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Virginia Foxx
U.S. House of Representatives
2350 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Foxx:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Virginia Foxx
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH I NGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable John Garamendi
U.S. House of Representatives
2438 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Garamendi:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable John Garamendi
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH! NGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Chris Gibson
U.S. House of Representatives
1708 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Gibson:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21St century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Chris Gibson
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Louie Gohmert
U.S. House of Representatives
2243 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Gohmert:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21st century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Louie Gohmert
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH! NGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Gwen Graham
U.S. House of Representatives
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Graham:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Gwen Graham
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
(() FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONWASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Sam Graves
U.S. House of Representatives
1415 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Graves:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2l century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Sam Graves
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS C0MM!ssloN
WASHINGTON
fMISS0
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Morgan Griffith
U.S. House of Representatives
1108 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Griffith:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return calTiers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Morgan Griffith
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Whee er
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Glenn Grothman
U.S. House of Representatives
501 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Grothman:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21St century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Glenn Grothman
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
'fMISS\0'
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Brett Guthrie
U.S. House of Representatives
308 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Guthrie:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 21St century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Brett Guthrie
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
6o
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
'bAqMISS#
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Gregg Harper
U.S. House of Representatives
307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Harper:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America. The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Gregg Harper
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015
THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Vicky Hartzler
U.S. House of Representatives
1023 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Hartzler:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reform our Universal Service Fund
("USF") mechanisms to support broadband deployment in rural America, The universal service
program is one of the most important tools at our disposal to ensure that consumers and
businesses in rural America have the same opportunities as their urban and suburban
counterparts to be active participants in the 2Pt century economy. I share your goal of ensuring
that the universal service program better reflects today's marketplace and technology in areas
served by rate-of-return carriers.
As I explained at the Senate Commerce Committee's FCC Oversight Hearing earlier this
year, resolving this issue will require all the stakeholders to work together and make hard
decisions to reach consensus on the best path forward. Everybody agrees that the goal of any
changes should be supporting broadband in rural areas. With that in mind, I directed my staff
and staff members from the Commission's Wireline Bureau to meet with stakeholders in the
rate-of-return community. We have encouraged all stakeholders in the rate-of-return community
to work together to develop an approach that both has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return community and meets the principles unanimously outlined by the Commission in our
April 2014 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
I share your concern about the state of rural broadband deployment. I also recognize the
substantial time, effort, and resources that have been invested in this effort to date by
stakeholders in the rate-of-return community to address these issues. I am committed to finding
a path forward by the end of the year. But it is important to have a solution - or set of solutions
- that creates the right incentives to deploy modern networks throughout rural America, meets
the Commission's overarching policy objectives, and has the widespread support of the rate-of-
return carrier community.
To that end, it is encouraging that the stakeholders appear to have come to a consensus on
the notion of a "two-path" approach to reforming the program that is comprised of both a model-
based path and updates to the existing mechanisms, but work remains with respect to the details
of how we would update those support mechanisms. We will continue to engage with
stakeholders, and we expect them to continue to engage with us, to ensure that any reform of
these universal service programs successfully delivers on our shared goal of more robust
broadband throughout rural America.
Page 2-The Honorable Vicky Hartzler
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Tom Wheeler