FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
March 15, 2016
The Honorable Pedro R. Pierluisi
U.S. House of Representatives
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Pierluisi:
Thank you for your letter regarding applications for E-rate funds filed by private schools
in Puerto Rico, and your concern that language barriers may have affected the schools' ability to
effectively respond to inquiries from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC),
the administrator of the program, about the schools' compliance with E-rate rules.
I share your desire to ensure that all schools and libraries have an equal opportunity to
participate in the E-rate program. After hearing from multiple schools in Puerto Rico last year
about language challenges they experienced while attempting to participate in the E-rate
program, Commission staff asked USAC to identify ways to more effectively reach out to
schools where Spanish is the first language of administrators and staff. Since then, USAC has
taken multiple steps to improve outreach to schools in Puerto Rico, and Spanish-speaking
applicants generally. These steps track many of your recommendations to ensure that Puerto
Rico applicants have an equal opportunity to participate in the E-rate program.
First, last month, USAC conducted its first-ever Spanish-language Puerto Rico training
sessions in San Juan. Over 100 private schools and public libraries attended. The training was
provided in both English and Spanish. Second, these events coincided with the unveiling of a
new "USAC en Espafiol" section ofUSAC's website, which can be found at
usac.org/about/espanoll. USAC en Espafiol provides Spanish-speaking applicants with Spanish-
language outreach materials and contact information for Spanish-speaking USAC
representatives. Third, while Spanish-language customer support has been available for several
years, we are working with USAC to ensure that it continues to advance its dedicated Spanish-
language outreach through additional Puerto Rico outreach events, further translation of program
materials, translated news updates, and enhanced Spanish-language customer support. We
welcome feedback from your office and from your constituents.
In your letter, you also express concerns regarding specific funding denial letters issued
by USAC to several private schools in Puerto Rico. As you have explained, you believe that
applicants did not understand USAC's requests for information or were unable to articulate an
adequate response due to a language barrier.
Commission staff is working with USAC to identify denials where miscommunications
due to language barriers may have caused USAC to conclude that there was a violation of the
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rules. Where that appears to be the case, USAC will reach out with a translator to get additional
information. Moreover, the Commission's rules provide that any person aggrieved by an action
taken by USAC, after first seeking review at USAC, may seek review from the Commission.
The Commission reviews all appeals of USAC actions, including any appeal of these funding
denial letters, de novo, meaning that USAC's decisions do not have a direct bearing on the
Commission's review. In all events, USAC will provide any applicant or service provider that
asks for Spanish-English translation with such assistance and has committed to be more
proactive in offering such services when there appears to be a language barrier.
I appreciate your concern for ensuring fair and equal opportunities for all E-rate
applicants and am dedicated to advancing that interest. Please let me know if I can be of further
assistance. smCerelY~!--;&iler --