FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
September 22, 2015
The Honorable Brendan F. Boyle
U.S. House of Representatives
118 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Boyle:
Thank you for your letter concerning the FCC's July 16th Field Modernization Order and
its potential impact on radio spectrum interference issues in the Philadelphia area. 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.
Although the final decision by the Commission was to close the Philadelphia office and
eliminate the five positions there, we determined that the region was well covered by our primary
Enforcement Bureau office in Columbia, Maryland and the nearby New York office. Also, all of
our agents will now have electric engineering backgrounds, providing for better access to
technical assistance on the ground, where and when needed. These agents will make effective
use of our mobile vehicle operations and newly enhanced information technology. As far as an
overall regional presence, it is important to note that the FCC maintains a facility in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania that provides consumer support, as well as redundant applications for some of our
systems. We consider our work in this region to be very important and its close proximity to the
Columbia and D.C. offices permits day trips and routine interaction between facilities.
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.
Page 2-The Honorable Brendan F. Boyle
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
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.
Sincerely,
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
September 22, 2015
The Honorable Michael G. Fitzpatrick
U.S. House of Representatives
2400 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Fitzpatrick:
Thank you for your letter concerning the FCC's July 16th Field Modernization Order and
its potential impact on radio spectrum interference issues in the Philadelphia area. I believe that
the Commission's [mal 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.
Although the final decision by the Commission was to close the Philadelphia office and
eliminate the five positions there, we determined that the region was well covered by our primary
Enforcement Bureau office in Columbia, Maryland and the nearby New York office. Also, all of
our agents will now have electric engineering backgrounds, providing for better access to
technical assistance on the ground, where and when needed. These agents will make effective
use of our mobile vehicle operations and newly enhanced information technology. As far as an
overall regional presence, it is important to note that the FCC maintains a facility in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania that provides consumer support, as well as redundant applications for some of our
systems. We consider our work in this region to be very important and its close proximity to the
Columbia and D.C. offices permits day trips and routine interaction between facilities.
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 epN) 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.
Page 2-The Honorable Michael G. Fitzpatrick
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
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.
_ Sincerel~~~
~eler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
September 22, 2015
The Honorable Bob Casey
United States Senate
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Casey:
Thank you for your letter concerning the FCC's July 16thField Modernization Order and
its potential impact on radio spectrum interference issues in the Philadelphia area. 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.
Although the final decision by the Commission was to close the Philadelphia office and
eliminate the five positions there, we determined that the region was well covered by our primary
Enforcement Bureau office in Columbia, Maryland and the nearby New York office. Also, all of
our agents will now have electric engineering backgrounds, providing for better access to
technical assistance on the ground, where and when needed. These agents will make effective
use of our mobile vehicle operations and newly enhanced information technology. As far as an
overall regional presence, it is important to note that the FCC maintains a facility in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania that provides consumer support, as well as redundant applications for some of our
systems. We consider our work in this region to be very important and its close proximity to the
Columbia and D.C. offices permits day trips and routine interaction between facilities.
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 ePN) 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.
Page 2-The Honorable Bob Casey
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
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.
Sincerely,- ~~.
Torn Wheeler