FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
September 22, 2015
The Honorable Kelly Ayotte
United States Senate
144 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Ayotte:
Thank you for your letter concerning the FCC's July 16th Field Modernization Order and
its potential impact on radio spectrum interference issues. I appreciate your letter and we have
taken your views into account in the July decision. I believe that the Commission's fmal decision
in this matter represents a fact-based, balanced approach to modernizing a 20-year-old field
office structure that was out of step with current technology and budgetary limitations.
Although it is never easy to close underused federal facilities or improve management in
ways that eliminate long-held positions, the Commission's goal was to maximize the
effectiveness of its operations to meet 21st Century needs and realities. With that in mind, we
studied a broad range of potential reorganization options, reviewed concerns with stakeholders
and modified our contractor's initial recommendations to ensure nationwide enforcement
coverage. Our fmal decision keeps the Boston Field Office open to address issues and ensure
proper oversight in that region.
At this stage, the Commission has consulted with OMB and the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees, and is initiating the first phase of the reorganization. Please be
assured that as part of this implementation, we are maintaining a commitment to respond in a
timely manner to interference issues anywhere in the nation, including responding to all public
safety spectrum complaints within one day.
As a follow-up to our Field Modernization Order, the Enforcement Bureau released an
August 27th Public Notice (PN) to enhance procedures for public safety and industry interference
complaints. The PN outlined an escalation process for interference complaints that will also
improve complainants' ability to stay informed of the status of their complaint. This process will
streamline the interference complaint intake and response and result in more effective
enforcement for our highest priority interference complaints.
Our Field Modernization Order and the August 27th PN are part of a comprehensive
approach toward efficient enforcement. We see the future of enforcement as an efficient,
holistic, and systematic process supported by better overall management and modem IT
systems. I look forward to continuing our efforts to improve the Commission's enforcement
Page 2-The Honorable Kelly Ayotte
practices and I am certain that they will yield successful, long-lasting results. Please let me know
if I can be of any further assistance.
smcerely1/4?
~eel&
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
September 22, 2015
The Honorable Susan Collins
United States Senate
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Collins:
Thank you for your letter concerning the FCC's July 16th Field Modernization Order and
its potential impact on radio spectrum interference issues. I appreciate your letter and we have
taken your views into account in the July decision. I believe that the Commission's final decision
in this matter represents a fact-based, balanced approach to modernizing a 20-year-old field
office structure that was out of step with current technology and budgetary limitations.
Although it is never easy to close underused federal facilities or improve management in
ways that eliminate long-held positions, the Commission's goal was to maximize the
effectiveness of its operations to meet 21 st Century needs and realities. With that in mind, we
studied a broad range of potential reorganization options, reviewed concerns with stakeholders
and modified our contractor's initial recommendations to ensure nationwide enforcement
coverage. Our final decision keeps the Boston Field Office open to address issues and ensure
proper oversight in that region.
At this stage, the Commission has consulted with OMB and the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees, and is initiating the first phase of the reorganization. Please be
assured that as part of this implementation, we are maintaining a commitment to respond in a
timely manner to interference issues anywhere in the nation, including responding to all public
safety spectrum complaints within one day.
As a follow-up to our Field Modernization Order, the Enforcement Bureau released an
August 27th Public Notice (PN) to enhance procedures for public safety and industry interference
complaints. The PN outlined an escalation process for interference complaints that will also
improve complainants' ability to stay informed of the status of their complaint. This process will
streamline the interference complaint intake and response and result in more effective
enforcement for our highest priority interference complaints.
Our Field Modernization Order and the August 27th PN are part of a comprehensive
approach toward efficient enforcement. We see the future of enforcement as an efficient,
holistic, and systematic process supported by better overall management and modern IT
systems. I look forward to continuing our efforts to improve the Commission's enforcement
Page 2-The Honorable Susan Collins
practices and I am certain that they will yield successful, long-lasting results. Please let me know
if I can be of any further assistance.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
September 22, 2015
The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senate
520 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Shaheen:
Thank you for your letter concerning the FCC's July 16thField Modernization Order and
its potential impact on radio spectrum interference issues. I appreciate your letter and we have
taken your views into account in the July decision. I believe that the Commission's final decision
in this matter represents a fact-based, balanced approach to modernizing a 20-year-old field
office structure that was out of step with current technology and budgetary limitations.
Although it is never easy to close underused federal facilities or improve management in
ways that eliminate long-held positions, the Commission's goal was to maximize the
effectiveness of its operations to meet 21 st Century needs and realities. With that in mind, we
studied a broad range of potential reorganization options, reviewed concerns with stakeholders
and modified our contractor's initial recommendations to ensure nationwide enforcement
coverage. Our final decision keeps the Boston Field Office open to address issues and ensure
proper oversight in that region.
At this stage. the Commission has consulted with OMB and the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees, and is initiating the first phase of the reorganization. Please be
assured that as part of this implementation, we are maintaining a commitment to respond in a
timely manner to interference issues anywhere in the nation, including responding to all public
safety spectrum complaints within one day.
As a follow-up to our Field Modernization Order, the Enforcement Bureau released an
August 27thPublic Notice (PN) to enhance procedures for public safety and industry interference
complaints. The PN outlined an escalation process for interference complaints that will also
improve complainants' ability to stay informed of the status of their complaint. This process will
streamline the interference complaint intake and response and result in more effective
enforcement for our highest priority interference complaints.
Our Field Modernization Order and the August 27th PN are part of a comprehensive
approach toward efficient enforcement. We see the future of enforcement as an efficient,
holistic, and systematic process supported by better overall management and modem IT
systems. I look forward to continuing our efforts to improve the Commission's enforcement
Page 2-The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen
practices and I am certain that they will yield successful, long-lasting results. Please let me know
if Ican be of any further assistance.
_ SincerelW~
~eeler