FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
THE CHAIRMAN 
The Honorable Bill Posey 
United States House of Representatives 
120 Cannon House Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20515 
Dear Congressman Posey: 
August 30, 2017 
Thank you for your letter expressing support for the Commission to withdraw from its 
role as accounting authority of last resort for maritime mobile and maritime-satellite radio 
services. I appreciate your support for the work we are doing to avoid unnecessary use of 
government resources to provide services that are more properly provided by the private sector. 
Thank you as well for recognizing the transparency and openness initiative we have employed; 
and that the concerted effort we are making to address and close long-standing proceedings is 
essential to bringing certainty to vital sectors of the economy, which will, in tum, encourage 
innovation and stimulate the economy. 
In your letter, you urge the FCC to consider reassigning the Commission' s accounting 
code ofUS01 directly to COMSAT, thereby designating COMSAT as accounting authority of 
last resmi. Please know that your views are very important, will be entered in the record of the 
proceeding, and will be considered as part of the Commission's review. Please know too that 
FCC staff have been and will continue to be working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and 
other members of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee to ensure that the safety of 
those who depend on lifesaving communications is of utmost importance. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
assistance. 
Sincerely, 
v. 
Ajit V. Pai