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The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
December l l , 2015 
We write to request that you carefully consider a proposal for targeted investments in 
broadband infrastructure on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. 
As you know, Section 254 of the Communications Act charges the Commission with 
ensuring that "Consumers in all regions of the Nation, including low-income consumers and 
those in rural, insular, and high cost areas" have access to telecommunications and information 
services "that are reasonably comparable'' to those in urban areas. Yet too many New Mexicans 
living in rural areas continue to live on the wrong side of the digital divide. According to the 
Commission's 2015 Broadband Progress Report, 77 percent of New Mexicans living in rural 
areas lack fixed broadband access, which compares to 8 percent of Americans living in urban 
areas and I 7 percent of the U.S. population as a whole. 
The broadband challenge for those living on Tribal lands is even more dire. In New 
Mexico, nearly 90 percent of those living on Tribal lands do not have access to fast broadband. 
Since broadband technologies can create opportunities for economic growth, education, and 
healthcare delivery, these appalling statistics do not adequately convey the negative impacts of 
this digital divide for Indian Country. 
Our understanding is that the Commission is evaluating a proposal for a "Tribal 
Broadband Factor" to target support for broadband on unserved and underserved Tribal lands. 
This proposal would direct $25 million annually for ten years from existing universal service 
funds to broadband deployment on Tribal lands. The proposal further includes benchmarks for 
deployment to hold broadband providers accountable for making progress toward tackling the 
digital divide. 
1211
As you have previously noted, universal service reform is a "once-in-a-generation 
opportunity" to ensure greater broadband access. We therefore respectfully request that you 
carefully consider the proposal for a Tribal Broadband Factor to help direct universal service 
support to areas where it is most needed to end the digital divide. 
Thank you for your consideration and reply. 
Sincerely, 
United States Senator 
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Martin Heinrich 
United States Senator 
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United States Representative 
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Ben Ray Lujan 
United States Representative 
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Michelle Lujan Grisham 
United States Representative