FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIR MAN The Honorable Ralph Abraham U.S. House of Representatives 417 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Abraham: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Robert B. Aderholt U.S. House of Representatives 235 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Aderholt: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding anq considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Rick Allen U.S. House of Representatives 426 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Allen: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even.better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. \ Sincerely, Aj it V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Lou Barletta U.S. House of Representatives 2049 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Barletta: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIR MAN The Honorable Diane Black U.S. House of Representatives 1131 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 · Dear Congresswoman Black: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHA I RMAN The Honorable Marsha Blackbum U.S. House of Representatives 2266 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Blackbum: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. ~ Siv~ly, ~~ Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Kevin Brady U.S. House of Representatives 1011 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Brady: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even·better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am pappy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Dave Brat U.S. House of Representatives 1628 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Brat: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, uc.~ J Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Mo Brooks U.S. House of Representatives 2400 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Brooks: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central P.oint of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, o ~ _ ~ V· \ evv Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Anthony G. Brown U.S. House of Representatives 1505 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Brown: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Bradley Byrne U.S. House of Representatives 119 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Byrne: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and . the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Earl L. Carter U.S . House of Representatives 432 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Carter: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility . Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even.better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Steve Chabot U.S. House of Representatives 23 71 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Chabot: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engag~d with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Tom Cole U.S. House of Representatives 2467 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cole: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Rick Crawford U.S. House of Representatives 2422 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Crawford: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in t~is matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable John Culberson U.S. House of Representatives 2161 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Culberson: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assist'ance. Sincerely, ~ v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Jeff Duncan U.S. House of Representatives 2229 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Duncan: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, represeqtatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. - ~inc~rely, n ... . . ·q; V. . . I CIA, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Chuck Fleischmann U.S. House of Representatives 2410 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Fleischmann: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 da~s and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Trent Franks U.S . House of Representatives 2435 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Franks: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission' s review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Louie Gohmert U.S. House of Representatives 2243 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Gohmert: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility . Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Paul Gosar U.S. House of Representatives 2057 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Gosar: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even· better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Trey Gowdy U.S. House of Representatives 2418 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Gowdy: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central p'oint of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Lindsey Graham United States Senate 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Graham: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility . Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal B,ureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, tk v, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL 'COM MUN !CATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Andy Harris U.S. House of Representatives 1533 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Harris: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Vicky Hartzler U.S. House of Representatives 2235 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Hartzler: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. ~ SinV~ly, ~ ~ Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Bill Johnson U.S. House of Representatives 1710 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Johnson: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a conectional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and conections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among conections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Mike Johnson U.S. House of Representatives 327 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Johnson: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a co1Tectional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central p,oint of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Steve King U.S. House of Representatives 2210 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman King: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons . . I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ' ~ v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable David Kustoff U.S. House of Representatives 508 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Kustoff: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficieQt solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Doug LaMalfa U.S. House of Representatives 322 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman LaMalfa: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even· better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, I ut v. Ajit V. Pai ..... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable John B. Larson U.S. House of Representatives 1501 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Larson: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central p'oint of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Barry Loudermilk U.S. House of Representatives 329 Cannon House Office Building . Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Loudermilk: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. · I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement off!.cials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures' and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, - - V·, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL ' COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Ralph Norman U.S. House of Representatives 2350 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Norman: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Pete Olson U.S. House of Representatives 2133 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Olson: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding anq considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Gary Palmer U.S. House of Representatives 330 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Palmer: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implicatiqns for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even. better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. " Sincerely, - Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Scott Perry U.S. House of Representatives 1207 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Perry: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Robert Pittenger U.S. House of Representatives 224 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Pittenger: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons . . I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V· Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFI C E O F THE CH A IR MAN The Honorable John Ratcliffe U.S . House of Representatives 325 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Ratcliffe: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficiept solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, .,,.. - ' Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRM AN The Honorable Tom Rice U.S. House of Representatives 223 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Rice: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service provi~ers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even· better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am .happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ~ - - · Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Martha Roby U.S. House of Representatives 442 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Roby: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Phil Roe U.S. House of Representatives 336 Cannon House Office Building . Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Roe: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. · I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement ofp.cials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Aj it V. Pai FEDERAL· COMM UN !CATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Mike D. Rogers U.S. House of Representatives 2184 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Rogers: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficieht solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in tµis matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN October 24, 2017 The Honorable C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger U.S. House of Representatives 2416 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Ruppersberger: Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assist~nce. SiV~ely, ~ ~ Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Mark Sanford U.S. House of Representatives 2211 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Sanford: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2b 16 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, represeritatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Tim Scott United States Senate 520 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Scott: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our effo1ts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ·.vt v. Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Jim Sensenbrenner U.S. House of Representatives 2449 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Sensenbrenner: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to .,hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ~~ - V· ~ Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHA I RMAN The Honorable Terri A. Sewell U.S. House of Representatives 2201 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Sewell: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission' s review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ~ _V' -~~ AJ1t V. Pai · FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Richard C. Shelby United States Senate 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Shelby: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even.better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v._ Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Luther Strange United States Senate 326 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Strange: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Daniel Webster U.S. House of Representatives 1210 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Webster: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. · I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, v, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Joe Wilson U.S. House of Representatives 1436 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Wilson: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility . Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete step~ to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, · and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding anci considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, ~ V· ~W: Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Ted Yoho U.S. House of Representatives 511 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Yoho: October 24, 2017 Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns about public safety and the exploitation of contraband cellphones in prisons. I share your concerns about the proliferation of contraband wireless devices in prisons and the potentially devastating implications for public safety. That is why I led a field hearing in Columbia, South Carolina in April 2016 to bring together a broad group of stakeholders, including prison and state law enforcement officials and industry representatives, to discuss possible solutions to this problem. That is also why one of my first actions as Chairman was to ask my colleagues to approve new measures streamlining procedures to get contraband interdiction systems into prisons and compelling mobile service providers to negotiate in good faith with parties seeking to deploy those systems in a correctional facility. Under my leadership, the Commission also named a special ombudsperson to serve as a central point of contact on contraband device issues. We have taken concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems, and there are signs that interest in these solutions is growing. More importantly, we continue our efforts to push for even.better procedures and solutions for this very serious problem. Commission staff are actively engaged with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials, officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions seeking effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons. Moreover, I am happy to have the Commission try to facilitate a meeting among corrections officials, representatives of major cellular providers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the next 120 days and will report back to you after the meeting occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Your views are very important and will be entered into the record of the proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, 0 ... ·0:: v. r th Ajit V. Pai