FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Richard Blumenthal 
United States Senate 
702 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Blumenthal: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in supp01t of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for i1m1ates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore. inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she an·ived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for res calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 ofthe Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain . This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Richard Blumenthal 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage pmiies to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commiss ion, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Cory Booker 
United States Senate 
141 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Booker: 
November 24,2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for res calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, pmiicularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22,2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Cory Booker 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, If{~ 
~eler 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHA I RMAN 
The Honorable Sherrod Brown 
United States Senate 
713 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Brown: 
November 24,2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals , including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Sherrod Brown 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
~ 
Tom Wheeler 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Bob Casey 
United States Senate 
393 Russell Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Casey: 
November 24,2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families , who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 20 I and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 20 14 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain . This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Bob Casey 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary . 
The F PRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Chris Coons 
United States Senate 
383 Russell Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Coons: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Chris Coons 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Richard J. Durbin 
United States Senate 
309 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Durbin: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain . This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Richard J. Durbin 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission ' s findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase res options. 
I appreciate your interest in thi s matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable AI Franken 
United States Senate 
309 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Franken: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families . Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain . This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable AI Franken 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take futiher action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
~ 
Tom Wheeler 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Martin Heinrich 
United States Senate 
702 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Heinrich: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 20 I and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Martin Heinrich 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy 
United States Senate 
433 Russell Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Leahy: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families . Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS refonn. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015 , the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 20 I and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "tlat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. lt also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
Tom Wheeler 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Edward J. Markey 
United States Senate 
218 Russell Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Markey: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further No tice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Edward J. Markey 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
res providers to file their res contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFIC E OF 
THE CHAIR M AN 
The Honorable Robert Menendez 
United States Senate 
528 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Menendez: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for im11ates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, i1U11ate calling reform is not only the right thing to do , it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2. 7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015 , the Commission adopted the Second inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rufemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from ilU11ates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate irunate calling. Pursuant to Sections 20 I and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of i1U11ate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Robert Menendez 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated F PRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase res options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Gary Peters 
United States Senate 
2 Russell Courtyard 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Peters: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families , who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for res calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional res reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 20 I and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Gary Peters 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
~l:r 
FEDERAL COM M UN !CATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Bernard Sanders 
United States Senate 
332 Dirksen Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Sanders: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Bernard Sanders 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
~heeler 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse 
United States Senate 
502 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Whitehouse: 
November 24, 2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission ' s ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for man y famili es, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do , it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second Inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities , including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 of the Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission ' s 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called "flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection. requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission. and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate yo ur interest in thi s matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Ron Wyden 
United States Senate 
223 Dirksen Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Wyden: 
November 24,2015 
Thank you for your letter in support of the Commission's ongoing efforts to 
comprehensively reform inmate calling services (ICS). I agree with your sentiments about the 
importance of ensuring fair and just calling rates for incarcerated individuals, including moving 
forward to curb intrastate calling rates for inmates and their families. Your views are very 
important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. 
Few issues the Commission acts upon have a more direct and meaningful impact on the 
lives of millions of American than ICS reform. As your letter indicates, contact between 
inmates and their loved ones has been shown to reduce the rate of recidivism, but high inmate 
calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty. 
Therefore, inmate calling reform is not only the right thing to do, it is also good policy. 
As you note, our reform efforts have been spearheaded by Commissioner Mignon 
Clyburn, who began championing this issue when she arrived at the Commission in 2009. Under 
her stewardship as acting Chairwoman in 2013, the FCC adopted interim caps on excessive rates 
for ICS calls across state lines, and she continues to demonstrate her valiant leadership on this 
critically important issue, particularly for the 2.7 million children for whom at least one parent is 
incarcerated. 
On October 22, 2015, the Commission adopted the Second inmate Calling Services 
Report and Order (Order) and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). In this 
Order, the Commission adopted additional ICS reforms to ensure a reasonable rate structure for 
phone calls from inmates at correctional facilities, including tiered rate caps that apply to all 
interstate and intrastate inmate calling. Pursuant to Sections 201 and 276 ofthe Communications 
Act, the tiered rate caps are sufficient to allow providers to continue to receive fair compensation 
and a reasonable return on investment and, at the same time, fully cover the enhanced security 
requirements of inmate calling. The tiered rate caps are based on facility size and type and 
grounded in the data received in response to the Commission's 2014 Mandatory Data Collection, 
which demonstrated a difference in costs to serve facilities of different types and sizes. 
The new rules also close loopholes by barring most add-on fees imposed by ICS 
providers and set strict limits on the few fees that remain. This includes prohibiting mandatory 
Page 2-The Honorable Ron Wyden 
minimum payments and placing a floor on mandatory maximum account deposits. Furthermore, 
the rules prohibit providers from imposing so-called " flat-rate calling," which is a flat rate for a 
call up to 15 minutes regardless of actual call duration. Extra fees and charges can increase by as 
much as 40 percent the cost of families staying in touch by phone with loved ones who are 
incarcerated. In addition, the Order mandates discounted rates for disability-access calls, 
requires annual reporting and certification by inmate calling providers, and establishes periodic 
reviews of these reforms. 
With respect to site commissions, while the Commission did not prohibit providers from 
paying site commissions, the Order excluded site commission payments from the cost data the 
Commission used in setting the rate caps. It also made clear that providers may not exceed the 
rate caps or ancillary service charge caps, even if they have agreed to pay site commissions. 
Furthermore, the associated FNPRM seeks comment on how to encourage parties to move away 
from site commissions and urges states to take action on this issue. Additionally, the 
Commission committed to monitor site commission payments and stated that it will not hesitate 
to re-evaluate the Commission's findings and take further action if necessary. 
The FNPRM also seeks additional comment on rates for international calls, promoting 
competition in the ICS industry, the benefits of a recurring Mandatory Data Collection, requiring 
ICS providers to file their ICS contracts with the Commission, and video visitation and other 
newer technologies to increase ICS options. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely,