FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo U.S. House of Representatives 241 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Eshoo: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Rohit Khanna U.S. House of Representatives 513 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Khanna: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network build out and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Rohit Khanna I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Louise M. Slaughter U.S. House of Representatives 2469 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Slaughter: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their conmiunities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Louise M. Slaughter I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Zoe Lofgren U.S. I-louse of Representatives 1401 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Lofgren: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher--would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Zoe Lofgren I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Jacky Rosen U.S. House of Representatives 413 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Rosen: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Jacky Rosen I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission web site. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ov\, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Peter Welch U.S. House of Representatives 2303 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Welch: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas. debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Peter Welch I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai V FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CoMMISsIoN WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable John Sarbanes U.S. House of Representatives 2444 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Sarbanes: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Member3 bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one.touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable John Sarbanes I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the lull committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, LL tkAji'V.pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Mike Doyle U.S. House of Representatives 239 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Doyle: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-----precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Mike Doyle I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Keith Ellison U.S. House of Representatives 2263 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Ellison: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide ariety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the: "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Keith Ellison I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recomn-iendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIHMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio U.S. House of Representatives 2134 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman DeFazio: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety arid excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. 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 July23, 2018 The Honorable Peter J. Visciosky U.S. House of Representatives 2328 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Visciosky: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to coimect Americans and their communities in the digital age. Thafs why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off. On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast ma] ority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive---the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Peter J. Visciosky I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Tony Cárdenas U.S. House of Representatives 1510 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cárdenas: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off On July 11, 1 circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would he allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network huildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Tony Cárdenas I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee nmst be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The 1-lonorable Jerry McNerney U.S. House of Representatives 2265 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman McNerney: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure, It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate---precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal law by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more complicated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Jeny McNerney I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission web site. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Joseph Crowley U.S. House of Representatives 1035 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Crowley: Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States. I share your view that broadband is an essential platform to connect Americans and their communities in the digital age. That's why my top priority as Chairman is to close the digital divide and bring broadband to every part of the country. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is playing an important role in these efforts. The Committee is a forum for experts to share ideas, debate, and ultimately make recommendations to the Commission on ways to eliminate barriers to the deployment of broadband infrastructure. It is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders, with representatives from the National League of Cities, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, small towns, large states, businesses large and small that deploy the cables, antennas, and other physical facilities that make up broadband networks, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and others with valuable ideas to contribute. Indeed, earlier this month, I was pleased to appoint David Young, the Fiber Infrastructure and Right of Way Manager for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, to be the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee's new Vice Chair. Members bring to the table a wide variety of backgrounds, forms of expertise, and viewpoints, and are all committed to the common goal of facilitating broadband deployment. The Committee's meetings have been lively, invigorating, and full of constructive debate-precisely what one would expect from a diverse panel of experts seeking consensus on solutions to challenging issues. The Committee's work is already paying off On July 11, I circulated for my colleagues' consideration an order that adopts a new pole attachment process consistent with the recommendations of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from earlier this year. If adopted, the order would fundamentally shift the framework for the vast majority of attachments governed by federal Jaw by adopting "one-touch make ready" (OTMR) policies. Under OTMR, the party with the strongest incentive-the new attacher-would be allowed to quickly perform all make-ready work, rather than spreading the work across multiple parties. By making it quicker and cheaper to attach to poles, we can accelerate network buildout and make it easier for new entrants to provide more broadband competition. The draft order includes safeguards to protect the public and worker safety and excludes from OTMR new attachments that are more compi.icated or above the "communications space" of a pole, where safety and reliability risks are greater. Based on the record, the proposed OTMR regime is expected to speed broadband deployment without substantial service interruptions or danger to the public or workers. Page 2-The Honorable Joseph Crowley I also agree with you that the work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee must be transparent and accessible. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee operates under established rules and practices. Meetings of the full committee are announced in advance, open to the public, and streamed live on the Commission website. In the interest of additional transparency and engagement, working groups have presented draft reports and recommendations at the Committee's public meetings. These materials are available on the Commission's website, and interested parties are welcome to provide input to the Committee in the electronic docket established for that purpose. Final recommendations of the Committee, including any that relate to pending Commission proceedings, are also available for public scrutiny and comment. And of course under my transparency initiative, the FCC publishes meeting items at least three weeks before a vote, allowing the public to see exactly how the Commission incorporates any Committee recommendations into those items. I look forward to working with you as we pursue the common goal to promote broadband access for all Americans. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai