C!Congre5'5' of tbe ~ntteb ~tate5' 
WW!nsbington, 11l<l!: 20510 
January 25, 2017 
The Honorable Ajit Pai, Chairman 
The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner 
The Honorable Michael O'Rielly, Commissioner 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12111 Street SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Pai and Commissioners, 
We appreciate that you have consistently championed efforts to expand 40 LTE and ultimately 
SG mobile broadband coverage in rural America. As members of the Congressional delegation 
for one of the most rural states in America, we urge the Federal Communications Commission to 
move forward with the Mobility Fund Phase II auction. 
Access to wireless technology and broadband internet is essential to economic development and 
competitiveness in the 2 l51 Century. 40 LTE is the great equalizer that eliminates distance and 
borders-outdated restrictions to economic growth potential. It is required for commerce, 
necessary for modern modes of communication and indispensable to public safety. In short, 
broadband is fundamental to conducting daily life. 
A significant factor for economic development in our rural communities lies in their ability to 
access wireless broadband. The FCC' s own data shows that approximately 3 million people and 
750,000 road miles in the U.S. still lack access to advanced mobile wireless service. We believe 
that Mobility Fund Phase 11 has the potential to eliminate that disparity if given the proper focus. 
Accordingly, we urge the Commission to move forward with the Mobility Fund Phase II auction 
without further delay. The Commission has compiled a full record in its proceeding and should 
move ahead with the program. Given the scope of impact and urgent need to address the rural 
access disparity, the Mobility Fund Phase II auction should be prioritized as the first auction to 
occur. 
We support the use of Universal Service Funds in this manner because it allows rural areas to 
utilize high-speed technology and access more powerful networks. This has a significant impact 
on economic development, tourism and public safety for these communities. It is clear that 
industTy is moving toward an overarching goal of advancing wireless standards and services, and 
that the Mobility Fund has the potential to help unserved and underserved rural markets bridge 
the divide. 
61
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and we look forward to your timely 
response. 
Sincerely, 
~n~ Ann McLane Kuster 
United States Senator United States Representative 
'1tlt ~A.ow NM .... , 
Maggie sĄ n Carol Shea-Porter 
United States Senator United States Representative