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WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
The Honorable Ajit Pai 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street Southwest 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Pai: 
November 14, 2017 
We encourage the Federal Communications Commission's efforts to accelerate the deployment 
of advanced networks to all Americans. However, we have concerns that the Commission will 
vote on an item this week that could harm consumers. It is critical that as we work to enhance 
networks across the country, we protect existing service for consumers during and after 
technology transitions. 
As currently drafted, the Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to 
Infrastructure and Investment Report and Order lessens notifications to consumers about 
changes to their landline service (virtually eliminating advance notice of copper retirement to 
retail customers), eliminates the "de facto" retirement rule, and changes the definition of 
"service" to reduce access to critical communications for consumers in an attempt to lessen 
regulatory barriers on phone service providers. These changes cause serious concern for rural 
Americans including the elderly, low-income, and consumers living with disabilities who rely on 
landline phone service. 
As you know, millions of people and businesses, not to mention critical U.S. government 
operations, across the nation rely on legacy landline phone service. Individuals in rural America, 
particularly those living where cell phone service is poor, utilize these landlines to conduct 
business, reach emergency responders, and stay in touch with loved ones. Households and 
businesses in our states, and across the country, cannot afford the disruption of having service 
altered without adequate advance notice, the assurance that an equivalent replacement exists, and 
a clear understanding of how to obtain and use the replacement. 
Furthermore, this order would affect more than landline phone service. Alarm systems, fax 
machines, and medical monitoring devices frequently depend on access to landline service. DSL 
broadband service also relies on landline phone service. If phone lines are not maintained, all of 
these services could be put in jeopardy. We need a reliable service standard in place to ensure 
that services people depend on will continue to work, and that rural Americans will not be left 
behind during this technology upgrade, furthering the digital divide. 
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Thank you for your attention to this matter. We hope to work with you to further advance the 
benefits of next generation technology to all Americans. 
Margaret Wood Hassan 
United States Senator 
~~ Jeanne Shaheen 
United States Senator 
~~~ 
United States Senator 
Sincerely, 
~h--A-4-~--
United States Senator 
Kirsten Gillibrand 
United States Senator 
United States Senator 
Charles E. Schumer 
United States Senator 
United States Senator 
TammyD 
United S tes Senator 
Richard J. Durbin 
United States Senator 
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Bernard Sanders 
United States Senator 
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