STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN Re: Update to Parts 2 and 25 Concerning Non-Geostationary, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems and Related Matters, IB Docket No. 16-408 A couple of months ago, I traveled to Marietta, Ohio to participate in an enlightening and engaging conversation on broadband connectivity in Appalachia. Dozens of small business owners, students, local government leaders, and parents spoke about the challenges they face when it comes to availability and affordability of broadband services in their communities. I heard stories from students who were forced to complete their homework assignments in parking lots, and entrepreneurs on the verge of shutting their doors because of substandard service quality and/or the high cost for broadband. It saddens me to confirm the obvious: that these stories are not uncommon in rural America, as millions of our non-urban neighbors remain trapped on the wrong side of the digital and opportunities divide. Over the past year, the Commission has initiated several proceedings to promote more affordable and faster broadband service for areas that remain unserved, so like many of you who care about these communities, I was particularly pleased to see movement on the Mobility Fund Phase II and Connect America Fund proceedings. Today, we take yet another step to close those gaping divides by updating and streamlining rules to facilitate the deployment of NGSO FSS systems, which have the potential to provide ubiquitous broadband services to all of our communities. I am excited by the proposals proffered by the many satellite companies participating in the NGSO FSS processing rounds, and look forward to reviewing the pending petitions under the updated framework we adopt today, beginning with the two circulated just this morning. I would like to thank the International Bureau team, including, Tom Sullivan, Troy Tanner, Jennifer Gilsenan, Jose Albuquerque, Chip Fleming, Clay DeCell, and Sankar Persaud for your diligent and commendable work on this important item and the many more that will follow.