981JOE MANCHIN Ill WEST VIRGINIA 
SUITE 306 
HART BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
(202} 224--3954 tinitrd ~rates ~cnatr 
The Honorable Ajit Pai 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th St SW 
Washington, D.C., 20554 
Dear Chairman Pai: 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4804 
November 15, 2017 
COMMITTEES 
APPROPRIATIONS 
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES 
INTELLIGENCE 
VETERANS' AFFAIRS 
As you know, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is scheduled to vote on the draft 
Wireline Broadband Deployment Report and Order tomorrow, November l 6t11• While 1 applaud the 
Commission's commitment to making advanced high-speed networks accessible to all Americans, lam 
concerned that the current plan may have unintended consequences for rural America and the people l 
represent. 
As I understand it, the draft Wireline Broadband Deployment Report and Order would eliminate a provision 
that requires companies to give direct notice to their retail customers that they are retiring copper landline 
service, including de facto retirements due to neglect or lack of maintenance. It would also make it easier for 
incumbent local exchange carriers (JLECs) to discontinue, reduce, or impair service by eliminating the 
Functional Test and lowering the bar for what constitutes acceptable service. 
J recognize that the retirement of copper wireline for other networks such as fiber is not only inevitable but 
will actually improve the reliability of coverage in certain areas. However, during periods of technological 
transition, it is imperative that consumers and exchange carriers have a reasonable and realistic timeline to 
prepare for these changes which in many cases can be costly and disruptive to their daily lives. 
I have been proud to work with the Commission on keeping the promise of universal service and ensuring that 
all Americans have access to comparable communications services, but I am deeply concerned that this draft 
order does not reflect that same commitment. For many in rural America, including many places within West 
Virginia, copper wire line landlines are still the only way they can communicate, and we must ensure that these 
networks are maintained and serviced until there is a functional alternative in place. When that transition does 
take place, consumer protections and education are critical to helping these consumers better understand the 
potential benefits offered by the new technologies available to them. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I stand ready to work with you to ensure we can provide strong 
and reliable broadband service to all Americans.