FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
O FFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand 
United States Senate 
478 Russell Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Gillibrand: 
April 7, 2016 
Thank you for your letter regarding the petition filed by Westelcom Network, Inc. 
(Westelcom) for a limited waiver of the Commission's rules concerning the definition of a rural 
competitive local exchange carrier. As you note in your letter, Westelcom is seeking this waiver 
so that it can continue to charge the "rural exemption" rate for its interstate switched access 
services. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding and 
considered as part of the Commission's review. 
Let me assure you that the Commission's commitment to connectivity in areas like 
Watertown, New York remains unwavering. Consistent with our policies, the Commission's 
Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) sought public comment on Westelcom's petition shortly 
after the petition was filed. Commission staff is carefully reviewing the record in the 
proceeding. In addition, my Senior Legal Advisor, as well as WCB staff, recently met with 
representatives ofWestelcom to further discuss the waiver petition. I promise that we will take 
into consideration the issues and concerns presented by all stakeholders as the Commission 
makes every effort to conclude its review as quickly and equitably as possible. 
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 Charles E. Schumer 
United States Senate 
322 Hart Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510 
Dear Senator Schumer: 
April 7, 2016 
Thank you for your letter regarding the petition filed by Westelcom Network, Inc. 
(Westelcom) for a limited waiver of the Commission's rules concerning the definition of a rural 
competitive local exchange carrier. As you note in your letter, Westelcom is seeking this waiver 
so that it can continue to charge the "rural exemption" rate for its interstate switched access 
services. Your views are very important and will be included in the record ofthe proceeding and 
considered as part of the Commission's review. 
Let me assure you that the Commission's commitment to connectivity in areas like 
Watertown, New York remains unwavering. Consistent with our policies, the Commission's 
Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) sought public comment on Westelcom's petition shortly 
after the petition was filed. Commission staff is carefully reviewing the record in the 
proceeding. In addition, my Senior Legal Advisor, as well as WCB staff, recently met with 
representatives ofWestelcom to further discuss the waiver petition. I promise that we will take 
into consideration the issues and concerns presented by all stakeholders as the Commission 
makes every effort to conclude its review as quickly and equitably as possible. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance.