ilnitnl ~tetcs ~cnetc WASHINGTON, DC 20510 The Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12rh Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: July 11, 2016 · ertPQ RecPi,1Pr\ g .. \nsP ._, .., .11 ll 1 8 2016 FCC Mall Room As representatives of states with significant agricultural activity, we share the goal of ensuring that access to high-quality communications networks in rural America remains a top priority for the Commission. More than ever before, U.S. farmers and ranchers are demanding reliable, high-speed mobile broadband services. Mobility is essential for new precision agriculture technologies to deiiver productivity gains and environmental sustainability. These technologies are tran~forming U.S. agriculture as American farmers and ranchers seek to feed, fuel, and clothe an ever- · · increasing global population using limited land, water, and other re~ources. · · .. . · We applaud the Commission's recent decision to allow rate-of-return carriers to access support for "standalone" broadband facilities. This step will help encourage carriers to. deploy modem broadband-capable wireline networks in rural areas. Importantly, this is necessary as consumers increasingly rely on wireless services and are "cutting the cord'' to shift awa)' from wireline voice, and soaring mobile broadband relies on sufficient backhaul, often provided by these wireline networks. Going forward, sufficient support must also be available to preserve and expand mobile voice and broadband. Significant work remains to ensure that broadband services are availabie in rural America and reasonably comparable to services enjoyed in urban areas. Simply stated, broadband, particularly high-speed mobile broadband, is not readily available in many rural areas or could be at risk absent the right policies and support through the Universal Service Fund (USF). While progress has been made in the deployment of broadband, significant portions of rural areas have been left behind. According to the FCC, 87 percent of rural Americans (52.2 million) lack · access to mobile broadband with minimum advertised speeds of 10 Mbps/1 Mbps, compared to 45 percent of those. living in urban areas. Without the certainty that essential mobil~ broadband infrastructure will be deployed and maintained, investments in agricultural productivity will be delayed or bypassed altogether, and the potential efficiencies and benefits to rural communities will be lost. The extension of high­ speed mobile and backhaul facilities to a,gricultur~l croplands and ranch lands must keep. p~ce ... , . . 587 with the ongoing deployment of technology in the field. Increasing numbers of modems in the field means a growing demand for connectivity in the areas in which they operate. The expansion of rural broadband should be a top priority of federal and state policymakers, as expanded deployment in rural areas will address important economic, educational, health care, and public safety goals. Ongoing USF reform can provide a mechanism for enabling mobile broadband access in rural communities where "people live, work, and travel" that is truly comparable to broadband services provided in urban and suburban areas. To accomplish this goal, USF should support mobile broadband at a minimum of today's level to close the coverage gap while preserving existing service. In this regard, we ask you to give special attention as you work to establish Phase II of the USF's Mobility Ftmd (MF). Given the importance of mobile services today, the MF shouh:l be retained and updated to ensure that funding will promote new mobile broadband deployment in unserved rural and agricultural areas and preserve and upgrade mobile broadband where it is currently available. Importantly, the FCC must rely on realistic measurements of network experience on the ground to determine areas to support. Croplands and ranch lands have lagged behind in adequate mobile coverage, even as demand for coverage has grown. To address this coverage gap, we urge you to consider a metric of broadband access in croplands (and farm buildings), or some other geographic measurement, in addition to road miles, to identify these areas of greatest need. "Cropland" coverage can be assessed using United States Department of Agriculture data for crop operations, the United States Geological Survey's Land Use classification, or other databases. Agriculture is a significant generator of economic activity in our states. We greatly appreciate your efforts to ensure that the latest mobile broadband services are provided to all Americans, including those in agriculture whose livelihoods depend on it. Sincerely, United States Senator JOE MANCHIN, II United States Senator TAMlYM"'lwm United States Senator RICHARD BURR United States Senator STEVE DAINES United States Senator DEB FISCHER United States Senator Jlt~~ ~iJ~~ HEIDI HEITKAMP United States Senator ROY BLUNT United States Senator • ~~~, SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO United States Senator United States Senator ~~ CORY GARDNER United States Senator United States Senator ANGUS S. KING, JR. United States Senator CLAIRE MCCASKILL United States Senator United States Senator MARCO RUBIO United States Senator DAVID VITTER United States Senator · A lL\~ A~CHAR United States Senator JERRY MORAN United States Senator United States Senator THOM TILLIS Unitecl States Senator MARK WARNER United States Senator RONWYDEN United States Senator JOHN BOOZMAN United States Senator THAD COCHRAN United States Senator MARKKlRK United States Senator