FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Hoiorable Gwen Moore U.S. House of Representatives 2252 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Moore: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and. like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters lefi all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks daffiaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to erthance connectivity and help futureproof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible arid enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's afterinath---to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfèline Refbrm Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 71st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consunier choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2---The Honorable Gwen Moore To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state COm1TIISS1OflS to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Aliard U.S. House of Representatives 2083 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Roybal-Allard: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Pt Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year-- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-sftom re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is----or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 1-lonorable Robert C. Scott U.S. House of Representatives 1201 Longworth House Office Building \Vashington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Scott: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends .Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. li-i the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from áhanging Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The F{onorable Robert C. Scott To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afler being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Albio Sires U.S. House of Representatives 2342 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC. 20515 Dear Congressman Sires: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why th.e agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 20] 7 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Life]ine consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Albio Sires To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fimd or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. 10 address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should he-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interestiii this matter. Please let me know if I can he of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Juan C. Vargas U.S. i-louse of Representatives i 605 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Vargas: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto R.icans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, tJ.e Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USYI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. in the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline prograth in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Rejhrm Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Pt Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably. the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2------The Honorable Juan C. Vargas To maintain a robust Li-feline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the adntinistration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be---to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can he of any further assistance. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Frederica S. Wilson U.S. 1-louse of Representatives 2445 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Wilson: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many 01 us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends .Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVJ Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. in the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional finding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks, Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Frederica S. Wilson To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine thebest path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be:.:to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, 0 Ajit V. Pai o FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano U.S. House of Representatives 1610 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Napolitano: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit fiom fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residerts in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano To rnainain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low--income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from reempowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best patlì forward, arid your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Tim Ryan U.S. House of Representatives 1126 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Ryan: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals---virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top prIority with respect to Puerto R.ico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans------inciuding low4ncome families and veterans---can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid d:ividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and IJSVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 ffluillOfl in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to eithance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfeiine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Tim Ryan To maintain a robust Lifeline program--one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record tha.t has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, cIA, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Jose E. Serrano U.S. House of Representatives 2354 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Serrano: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Ricoand the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible arid enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules forPuerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lift1ine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Jose E. Serrano To maintain a robust Lifeline program--one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered I 234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently emoiled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the !Votice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers. not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Darren Soto U.S. House of Representatives 1429 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Solo: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the colmectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and U SVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks dair1aged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Re!hrm Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumners by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Darren Soto To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeiine program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will he our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this intportant program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let nie know if I can be of any further assistance, Sincerely, AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz TJ. S. House of Representatives 1114 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. in the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would riot lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Oider to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investnent in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Debbie Wassenuan Schultz To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier. from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be---4o empo'er consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, o Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Donald lvi. Payne U.S. House of Representatives 132 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Payne: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands, These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can, access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and US VI. Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. in the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territoi'i.es' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. 1 likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usagc rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aflermath---to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to, focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Donald M. Payne To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afler being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from lmproving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be----to empower consumers, notcompanies. And that will he our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. 1 appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Jan Schakowsky U.S. House of Representatives 2367 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Schakowsky: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals---virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Pt Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Jan Schakowsky To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commi$sions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is--or should empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can he of any further assistance. - Sincerely, Ajit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Carol Shea-Porter U.S. House of Representatives 1530 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Shea-Porter: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeliie program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfeiine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Carol Shea-Porter To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hirricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should he--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can he ofany further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Dma Titus U.S. House of Representatives 2464 Rayhurn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Titus: Thank you fOr your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospital s---virtually anything tangible on the islands. The natural disasters leli. all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has beer to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Rieans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico arid the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. in the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $891) million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21St Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Dma Titus To maintain a robust Lifeline program----one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with slates to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will he our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I apprecIate your interest in this matter. 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 Peter Welch U.S. House of Representatives 2303 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Welch: Thank you fhr your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters lefi all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans---including low-income families arid veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico arid the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Li/1ine ReIbrrn Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize lnvestment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Peter Welch To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could he used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to detennine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 John Yarmuth U.S. House of Representatives 131 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Yarmuth: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destructjon of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends, Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Mo'ing forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 201 7 Lijèline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21 Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barriiig low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do SO in practice. Page 2--The Honorable John Yarmuth To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the at ford abhty of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should beLmo empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pal FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham U.S. House of Representatives 214 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Lujan Grisham: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans----including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. 1 ani pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico arid the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible arid enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 LUline Rejbrrn Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in netwOrks that enable 2l Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,3 78 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal. is-or should be--to empOwer consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward o ensure, that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Tony Cárdenas U.S. House of Representatives 1510 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressnian Cárdenas: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puert.o Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect, to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and .JSV1 Cormect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season, In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico andthe U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the 'territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enable.s as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Tony Cárdenas To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered I ,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, arid :vour letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. c0M14t,4, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke U.S. House of Representatives 2058 Ra':hurn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Clarke: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans---including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. 1. am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help ftiture-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21 Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that baiTed Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke To maintain a robust Lifeline program--one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Rosa DeLauro U.S. House of Representatives 2413 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman DeLauro: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly herd hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority With respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--inciuding low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Ti SVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the u.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 20] 7 Life line Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Rosa DeLauro To maintain a robust Lifeline program--one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the LJniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Adriano Espaillat U.S. House of Representatives 1630 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Espaillat: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low4ncome families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.s. Virgin lslands during the 2017 hurricane season, in the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in " funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks, Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfe line Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed amid incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Adriano Espaillat To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, riot companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Raiii M. Grij alva U.S. 1-louse of Representatives 1511 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Grijaiva; Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families arid veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Cormect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 L/iine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century comlectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Raál M. Grijalva To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate YOUr interest in this matter. 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 Sheila Jackson Lee U.S. House of Representatives 2187 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Jackson Lee: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority wjth respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--inciuding low-income families and veteranscan access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2---The 1-lonorabie Sheila Jackson Lee To maintain a robust Li feline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will he our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, (L AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CoMMIsSIoN WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney U.S. House of Representatives 2308 Rayhurn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Maloney: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-incoriie families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ri cans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans---including low-income families and veterans---can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term., the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the [iS. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in. the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. . I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Rejbrm Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans iii Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane-- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is--or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Jerry McNerney U.S. I-louse of Representatives 2265 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman McNerney: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans---including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that finding is fiscally responsible arid enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Life//ne Retbem Order to.focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Jerry McNerney To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year--- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variel;y of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline prograrn---from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier. from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the I\Totice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not compathes. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Jim Costa US. House of Representatives 2081 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Costa: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Ju.st this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of' the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeiine's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 20/7 LU1ine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Jim Costa To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program' s efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July23, 2018 The Honorable Eliot L. Engel U.S. House of Representatives 2462 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Engel: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. 1 am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans--can access th.e connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USV I Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in finding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 LUiine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Eliot L. Enge To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported. as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Dwight Evans U.S. House of Representatives 1105 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Evans: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans----including low-income families and veteraris-----can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Dwight Evans To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered I ,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afier being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are culTently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Luis V. Gutiérrez U.S. House of Representatives 2408 Rayhurn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Gutiérrez: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our fbcus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto R.ico Fund and USV1 Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hulTicane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in finding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath--to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Refbrm Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Luis V. Gutiérrez To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane-- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Ro 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 importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitais---virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends, Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. in the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Ro Kharrna To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6.378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying i'/otice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is--or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincere] y, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Betty McCollum U.S. House of Representatives 2256 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman McCollurn: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and LJSVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional finding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit horn fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfe1ine Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Betty McCollurn To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Ur1iendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program--from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. 1 appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, o AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Grace Meng U.S. House of Representatives 1317 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Meng: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was panicularly hard hit in 2017 by 1-lurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitais--virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take fur granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and rriobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased cOnsumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Grace Meng To maintain a robust Lifeline program--one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afier being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than l37 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measuxes to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. \Ve are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is--or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move fOrward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Nydia M. Velazquez U.S. House of Representatives 2302 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Velazquez: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Richard Blumenthal United States Senate 706 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Blumenthal: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico coimected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 L,fèline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Pt Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Richard Blumenthal To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Sanford D. Bishop U.S. Flouse of Representatives 2407 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Bishop: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto R.ico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVT Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Pt Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Sanford D. Bishop To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afier being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senate 478 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC. 20510 Dear Senator Gillibrand: Thank yoLI fbr your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the coimectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Pt Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afler being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Brendan F. Boyle U.S. I-louse of Representatives 1133 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Boyle: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2P Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Brendan F. Boyle To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. 1 appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any ftirther assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Elizabeth Warren United States Senate 317 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Warren: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not iose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Elizabeth Warren To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Kamala D. Harris United States Senate B4OB Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Harris: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these faciiities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Kamala D. Harris To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afier being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is--or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, of AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable Robert A. Brady U.S. House of Representatives 2004 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Brady: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low4ncorne families and veterans in Puerto Rico coimected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Seivice Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans--can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Robert A. Brady To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. .1 appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V AjitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July 23, 2018 The Honorable David Cicilline U.S. House of Representatives 2244 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cicilline: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21St Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable David Cicilline To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Joim Delaney U.S. House of Representatives 1632 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Delaney: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans---can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Rejbrm Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable John Delaney To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Flonorable Anna 0. 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 importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2--The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 John Garamendi U.S. House of Representatives 2438 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Garamendi: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable John Garamendi To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified afier being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be--to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN4 July 23, 2018 The Honorable Colleen Hanabusa U.S. House of Representatives 422 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Hanabusa: Thank you fOr your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lifeline Refbrrn Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21st Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Colleen Hanabusa To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hulTicane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. 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 Ben Ray Luján U.S. House of Representatives 2231 Rayburn 1-louse Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Luján: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans-including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take for granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USYT Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged arid destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that fbndirig is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 LifelineReform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 2Ut Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that baiTed Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Ben Ray Luján To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, V' Ajit V. Pai LI' FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN July23, 2018 The Honorable Jim McGovern U.S. House of Representatives 438 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman McGovern: Thank you for your letter regarding the importance of keeping low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico connected. I am committed to closing the digital divide and, like you, I believe federal programs like the Universal Service Fund can help do just that. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma and }-Iurricane Maria, causing devastation to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals-virtually anything tangible on the islands. These natural disasters left all too many Puerto Ricans without access to the telephone network or the Internet, as the destruction of facilities was more widespread than anyone expected. As such, our top priority with respect to Puerto Rico has been to ensure the restoration of these critical facilities so that all Puerto Ricans--including low-income families and veterans-can access the connectivity so many of us take fur granted. I am pleased to report that our focus on restoring these facilities has already paid dividends. Just this past May, the Commission adopted an order to create the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and USVI Connect Fund, to accelerate the restoration of communications networks damaged and destroyed on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2017 hurricane season. In the near term, the order provides more than $64.2 million in additional funding this year to make sure network recovery continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the accompanying notice, we look toward the long term and propose providing $890 million in funding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enhance connectivity and help future-proof the territories' networks. Moving forward with the efforts outlined in the notice will help ensure that funding is fiscally responsible and enables as many people as possible in the territories to benefit from fixed and mobile communications. I likewise agree with you on the importance of the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico. That's why the agency waived Lifeline's recertification and non-usage rules for Puerto Rican residents in the hurricane's aftermath-to ensure that subscribers would not lose their Lifeline service at a time when they needed it most. And that's why the Commission took steps in the 2017 Lfe line Reform Order to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed and incentivize investment in networks that enable 21St Century connectivity for all Americans. Notably, the Order increased consumer choice by eliminating the restriction that barred Lifeline consumers from changing Lifeline providers for a year and protected consumers by barring low-quality services that offered mobile broadband in theory but failed to do so in practice. Page 2-The Honorable Jim McGovern To maintain a robust Lifeline program-one that ensures that all low-income families and veterans in Puerto Rico have access to resilient networks that will withstand the next hurricane- it is critical to strengthen the program's efficacy and integrity by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in this program for the better part of a decade. For example, GAO discovered 1,234,929 Lifeline subscribers who apparently were not eligible to participate in the program as well as 6,378 individuals who apparently enrolled or recertified after being reported as deceased. That limited sample alone constituted more than $137 million in abuse each year- potential savings that could be used to bolster the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or increase the affordability of communications services for low-income families and veterans. To address this, the Commission sought comment in the accompanying Notice on a wide variety of measures to improve the administration of the Lifeline program-from re-empowering state commissions to police Lifeline carriers to partnering with states to stand up the National Verifier, from improving program audits to adopting a self-enforcing budget. We are currently reviewing the record that has been compiled in response to the Notice to determine the best path forward, and your letter has been added to that record. The Lifeline program's goal is-or should be-to empower consumers, not companies. And that will be our lodestar as we move forward to ensure that unscrupulous companies stop abusing this important program. 1 appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, AjitV. Pai