FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
March 1,2016
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 consider a proposal for targeted
investments in broadband infrastructure on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. Your views
are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of
the Commission's review.
I wholeheartedly agree that access to broadband technology is critical for Tribal
communities to participate fully in today's economy. As you know, I personally have seen the
lack of communications services and infrastructure across Indian Country, including on the visit
you and I had to the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. The lack of services and infrastructure
reinforces a history of isolation that has limited economic and educational opportunities. That is
why expanding high-speed broadband connections to all corners of the country is a top priority
for the Commission. Nowhere could meeting this objective be more impactful than on Tribal
lands.
On February 12, I circulated an Order to modernize universal support for rate-of-return
carriers. The proposed Order sets forth a package of reforms to address rate-of-return issues that
are fundamentally intertwined-the need to modernize the program to provide support for stand-
alone broadband service; the need to improve incentives for broadband investment to connect
unserved rural Americans; and the need to strengthen the rate-of-return system to provide
certainty and stability for years to come. A Further Notice included with the Order would
specifically seek comment on additional reforms, including the Tribal Broadband Factor
proposal you reference in your letter, to further incentivize broadband investment and
deployment on unserved and underserved Tribal lands.
I recognize that the challenges before us are great. But working together, we will seize
upon technological opportunities to improve lives across Indian Country. I appreciate your
interest in this matter. Please let me know if! can be of any further assistance.
~eel~
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
March 1,2016
The Honorable Ben Ray Lujan
U.S. House of Representatives
2446 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Lujan:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to consider a proposal for targeted
investments in broadband infrastructure on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. Your views
are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of
the Commission's review.
I wholeheartedly agree that access to broadband technology is critical for Tribal
communities to participate fully in today's economy. As you know, I personally have seen the
lack of communications services and infrastructure across Indian Country, including on the visit
you and I had to the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. The lack of services and infrastructure
reinforces a history of isolation that has limited economic and educational opportunities. That is
why expanding high-speed broadband connections to all comers of the country is a top priority
for the Commission. Nowhere could meeting this objective be more impactful than on Tribal
lands.
On February 12, I circulated an Order to modernize universal support for rate-of-return
carriers. The proposed Order sets forth a package of reforms to address rate-of-return issues that
are fundamentally intertwined-the need to modernize the program to provide support for stand-
alone broadband service; the need to improve incentives for broadband investment to connect
unserved rural Americans; and the need to strengthen the rate-of-return system to provide
certainty and stability for years to come. A Further Notice included with the Order would
specifically seek comment on additional reforms, including the Tribal Broadband Factor
proposal you reference in your letter, to further incentivize broadband investment and
deployment on unserved and underserved Tribal lands.
I recognize that the challenges before us are great. But working together, we will seize
upon technological opportunities to improve lives across Indian Country. I appreciate your
interest in this matter. Please let me know if! can be of any further assistance.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
March 1,2016
The Honorable Martin Heinrich
United States Senate
303 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Heinrich:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to consider a proposal for targeted
investments in broadband infrastructure on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. Your views
are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of
the Commission's review.
I wholeheartedly agree that access to broadband technology is critical for Tribal
communities to participate fully in today's economy. As you know, I personally have seen the
lack of communications services and infrastructure across Indian Country, including on the visit
you and I had to the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. The lack of services and infrastructure
reinforces a history of isolation that has limited economic and educational opportunities. That is
why expanding high-speed broadband connections to all corners of the country is a top priority
for the Commission. Nowhere could meeting this objective be more impactful than on Tribal
lands.
On February 12, I circulated an Order to modernize universal support for rate-of-return
carriers. The proposed Order sets forth a package of reforms to address rate-of-return issues that
are fundamentally intertwined-the need to modernize the program to provide support for stand-
alone broadband service; the need to improve incentives for broadband investment to connect
unserved rural Americans; and the need to strengthen the rate-of-return system to provide
certainty and stability for years to come. A Further Notice included with the Order would
specifically seek comment on additional reforms, including the Tribal Broadband Factor
proposal you reference in your letter, to further incentivize broadband investment and
deployment on unserved and underserved Tribal lands.
I recognize that the challenges before us are great. But working together, we will seize
upon technological opportunities to improve lives across Indian Country. I appreciate your
interest in this matter. Please let me know if! can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely, ~
er
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
March 1,2016
The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham
U.S. House of Representatives
214 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Grisham:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to consider a proposal for targeted
investments in broadband infrastructure on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. Your views
are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of
the Commission's review.
I wholeheartedly agree that access to broadband technology is critical for Tribal
communities to participate fully in today's economy. As you know, I personally have seen the
lack of communications services and infrastructure across Indian Country, including on the visit
you and I had to the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. The lack of services and infrastructure
reinforces a history of isolation that has limited economic and educational opportunities. That is
why expanding high-speed broadband connections to all comers of the country is a top priority
for the Commission. Nowhere could meeting this objective be more impactful than on Tribal
lands.
On February 12, I circulated an Order to modernize universal support for rate-of-return
carriers. The proposed Order sets forth a package of reforms to address rate-of-return issues that
are fundamentally intertwined-the need to modernize the program to provide support for stand-
alone broadband service; the need to improve incentives for broadband investment to connect
unserved rural Americans; and the need to strengthen the rate-of-return system to provide
certainty and stability for years to come. A Further Notice included with the Order would
specifically seek comment on additional reforms, including the Tribal Broadband Factor
proposal you reference in your letter, to further incentivize broadband investment and
deployment on unserved and underserved Tribal lands.
I recognize that the challenges before us are great. But working together, we will seize
upon technological opportunities to improve lives across Indian Country. I appreciate your
interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
smcerelY~~
.eler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
March 1,2016
The Honorable Tom Udall
United States Senate
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Udall:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to consider a proposal for targeted
investments in broadband infrastructure on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. Your views
are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and considered as part of
the Commission's review.
I wholeheartedly agree that access to broadband technology is critical for Tribal
communities to participate fully in today's economy. As you know, I personally have seen the
lack of communications services and infrastructure across Indian Country, including on the visit
you and I had to the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. The lack of services and infrastructure
reinforces a history of isolation that has limited economic and educational opportunities. That is
why expanding high-speed broadband connections to all comers of the country is a top priority
for the Commission. Nowhere could meeting this objective be more impactful than on Tribal
lands.
On February 12, I circulated an Order to modernize universal support for rate-of-return
carriers. The proposed Order sets forth a package of reforms to address rate-of-return issues that
are fundamentally intertwined-the need to modernize the program to provide support for stand-
alone broadband service; the need to improve incentives for broadband investment to connect
unserved rural Americans; and the need to strengthen the rate-of-return system to provide
certainty and stability for years to come. A Further Notice included with the Order would
specifically seek comment on additional reforms, including the Tribal Broadband Factor
proposal you reference in your letter, to further incentivize broadband investment and
deployment on unserved and underserved Tribal lands.
I recognize that the challenges before us are great. But working together, we will seize
upon technological opportunities to improve lives across Indian Country. I appreciate your
interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,_ / (:;;}i;Uft~~