FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable French Hill
U.S. House of Representatives
1229 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Hill:
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 French Hill
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
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Ruben Hinojosa
U.S. House of Representatives
2262 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Hinojosa:
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 Ruben Hinojosa
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 Tim Huelskamp
U.S. House of Representatives
129 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Huelskamp:
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 Tim Huelskamp
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
4o
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
bAISSO
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Jared Huffman
U.S. House of Representatives
1630 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Huffman:
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 Jared Huffman
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 Will Hurd
U.S. House of Representatives
317 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Hurd:
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 Will Hurd
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 Lynn Jenkins
U.S. House of Representatives
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Jenkins:
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 Lynn Jenkins
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 Bill Johnson
U.S. House of Representatives
1710 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Johnson:
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 Bill Johnson
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 COMMISSJON
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Walter B. Jones
U.S. House of Representatives
2333 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Jones:
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 Walter B. Jones
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 Derek Kilmer
U.S. House of Representatives
1429 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Kilmer:
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 Derek Kilmer
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
''WMISS'
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Ron Kind
U.S. House of Representatives
1502 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Kind:
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 Ron Kind
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
4fMISS\0
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Steve King
U.S. House of Representatives
2210 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman King:
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 Steve King
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 Adam Kinzinger
U.S. House of Representatives
1221 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Kinzinger:
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 Adam Kinzinger
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 Ann Kirkpatrick
U.S. House of Representatives
330 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Kirkpatrick:
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 Ann Kirkpatrick
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 John Kline
U.S. House of Representatives
2439 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Kline:
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 Kline
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 COMMJSSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Ann M. Kuster
U.S. House of Representatives
137 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Kuster:
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 Ann M. Kuster
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 Raul R. Labrador
U.S. House of Representatives
1523 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Labrador:
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 Raul R. Labrador
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 Doug LaMalfa
U.S. House of Representatives
506 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman LaMalfa:
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 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 Doug LaMalfa
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
Q7
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Doug Lamborn
U.S. House of Representatives
2402 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Lamborn:
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 Doug Lamborn
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
MIS
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Bob Latta
U.S. House of Representatives
2448 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Latta:
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 Bob Latta
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
lMIS*
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Dave Loebsack
U.S. House of Representatives
1527 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Loebsack:
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 Dave Loebsack
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 Billy Long
U.S. House of Representatives
1541 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Long:
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 Billy Long
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
/
7/
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
fMISS'
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Frank D. Lucas
U.S. House of Representatives
2311 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Lucas:
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 Frank D. Lucas
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
\A916 WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Blame Luetkemeyer
U.S. House of Representatives
2440 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Luetkemeyer:
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 Blame Luetkemeyer
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 Wheelr
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Cynthia M. Lummis
U.S. House of Representatives
113 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Lummis:
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 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 Cynthia M. Lummis
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, 2015
THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Michael McCaul
U.S. House of Representatives
131 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman McCaul:
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 Michael McCaul
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 David B. McKinley
U.S. House of Representatives
412 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman McKinley:
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 2U1 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 David B. McKinley
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 Luke Messer
U.S. House of Representatives
508 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Messer:
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 Luke Messer
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
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Gwen Moore
U.S. House of Representatives
2245 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Moore:
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 tecfmology 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 Moore
I look forward to working with you to make continued progress on the deployment of
broadband to consumers throughout rural areas a reality.
Sincerely,
.7
Tom Wheeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASH INGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Markwayne Mullin
U.S. House of Representatives
1113 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Mullin:
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 Markwayne Mullin
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 Randy Neugebauer
U.S. House of Representatives
1424 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Neugebauer:
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 Randy Neugebauer
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 Kristi Noem
U.S. House of Representatives
1323 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Noem:
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 2P 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 Kristi Noem
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 Rick Nolan
U.S. House of Representatives
2447 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Nolan:
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 Nolan
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
F
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
bAfMIS5%O*
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Pete Olson
U.S. House of Representatives
312 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Olson:
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 Pete Olson
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 COMM ISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Steve Pearce
U.S. House of Representatives
2432 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Pearce:
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 Steve Pearce
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
MIS0'
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Collin C. Peterson
U.S. House of Representatives
2109 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Peterson:
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 Collin C. Peterson
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
%fMIs0
OFFICE OF July 27, 2015THE CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Chellie Pingree
U.S. House of Representatives
1318 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Pingree:
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 Chellie Pingree
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 Mark Pocan
U.S. House of Representatives
313 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Pocan:
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, T 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 Pocan
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
CbAqMIs#
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable Jared Polis
U.S. House of Representatives
1433 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Polis:
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 Jared Polis
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
WMISs\0'
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN July 27, 2015
The Honorable John Ratcliffe
U.S. House of Representatives
325 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Ratcliffe:
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 John Ratcliffe
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 Reid Ribble
U.S. House of Representatives
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Ribble:
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 Reid Ribble
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