C1IottBr£ss of 14£ ~niteo ~ħates ~aslpngton, ~.(L 20515 August 8, 20 16 The Honorable Torn Wheeler Chairman, Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: The Federa l Communications Commission' s (Commission) Mobility Fund was designed to increase wire less voice and broadband coverage to rural areas throughout America. In 20 12 the FCC moved fo rward with Phase I of its Mobility Fund, awarding $300 mill ion to wireless caJTiers so that they would provide 30 and L TE Service in areas that do not currentl y have such coverage. We write to urge the Commission to adopt rules and implement Phase II of the Mobility Fund, which should be focused on expanding access to 40 L TE service. If des igned right, this program wi ll enab le more rural Americans to gain access to 40 L TE wireless voice and broadband services. Earl ier thi s year, you noted that the urban-rural di vide concerning broadband access remains "significant" in our country. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many of our constituents. Several residents in Missouri, especially those living in rural areas, have struggled to gain access to adequate wireless voice and broadband service. As you and your colleagues have acknowledged, lack of broadband access prevents communities from thriving in today's world. Folks in these communities do not have the same opportunities to attain important information relating to new j ob prospects, education, public safety and healthcare options. Mobility Fund Phase I was a limi ted first step to expand 30 and 40 mobile wireless networks to underserved areas using incentive-based and market driven policies. The Commission should build on those policies whi le making appropriate adj ustments to the design of Mobility Fund Phase II so that it benefits as many rural Americans as possible who currently lack access to 40 LTE service. Along with relieving wire less carriers of regulatory burdens that discourage private sector investment in rural areas, thi s auction is one of the most important steps the Commission can take this year to promote wireless voice and broadband coverage in the rural areas of Missouri. It is critical that the Commission proceed as qu ickly as possible with the Mobi lity Fund Phase II reverse auction targeted at expand ing such services. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ·~· 646 Thank you fo r your attention to this important matter. We look forward to hearing from you concerning the status of this auction. Sincerely, Member of Congress Member of Congress