ROBERT J, WITTMAN 
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The Honorable Ajit Pai 
Chairman 
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November 21, 2017 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12 St. SW. 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Mr. Pai: 
WASHINGTON OFFICE: 
2055 RAYBURN HousE OFFICE BlllllllNG 
WASHINGTON, DC 20515 
(202) 225-4261 
DISTRICT OFFICES. 
ST.r.FFORO OFFICE 
95 DUNN DRIVE SUITE 201 
ST.r.FFORD, VA 22556 (540) 659-2734 
HAAOVER OFFICE 
6501 MECHAAICSVILLE Ti.rRNPIKE SUITE 102 
MECHANICSVILLE, VA 23111 
(804) 730-6595 
T APP.r.H.r.NNOCK OFFICE 
508 CHURCH LANE 
P.O. Box 3106 
T APP.r.HANNOCK, VA 22560 
{804) 443-0668 
WWW WITTM.r.N HOUSE.GOV 
I write to bring to your attention concerns I have received from wireless internet service providers 
(WISPs) in my district regarding two notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Promoting Investment in 
the 3550-3700 MHz band and Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum BehVeen 3. 7 and 24 GHz. 
During your participation at the Virginia's First District Broadband Task Force Summit, involving 
federal, state and local stakeholders, we discussed obstacles and solutions to providing broadband access 
to rural Virginians. Among the issues discussed were improving Form 477 mapping, prescriptive 
easements, dig once policies, strengthening private-public partnerships, and expanding the E-rate 
program. 
However, one of the more prominent topics was the series of proposed rules by the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) to auction off mid-band spectrum of 3650 MHz. WISPs in my 
district, Virginia Broadband and Northern Neck Wireless, discussed their investments in the 3650 MHz 
band and its value in providing high speed internet to rural Virginia. 
The companies expressed concern with auctioning off spectrum band 3650 MHz and its effects on smaller 
providers. More specifically, proposals to extend Priority Access License (PAL) terms to 10 years and 
expanding coverage areas from individual census tracks to Partial Economic Areas (PEAs). They are 
worried that such proposals could potentially price out smaller WISPs and preclude their involvement in a 
future auction. The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, the national organization 
representing WISPs filed similar comments to the FCC on October 19, 2017. 
As you move forward with these NPRMs, I respectfully request that you consider the concerns of WISPs 
and their contributions in providing "last mile" service and the significant impacts upon the hundreds of 
thousands of rural citizens. 
I am deeply grateful for your visit to Virginia's First Congressional District and for the FCC's efforts of 
bridging the digital divide between and urban and rural America. I look forward to working with you to 
bring expanded access and increased speeds of broadband for the unserved and underserved regions of 
this great country. 
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Sincerely, 
Robert J. Wittman 
Member of Congress