COMMITTEES· SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO WEST VIRGINIA APPROPRIATIONS COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS llnitcd ~tatcs ~cnatc 388 RULES AND ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, DC 20510 May 17, 2018 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Pai, The Federal Communications Commission plays an imperative and unique role in addressing the telecommunication concerns across the United States, but especially in rural America. In the 21st century economy, robust telecommunications networks are imperative for the foundation of future innovations. I applaud the Commission's steadfast commitment to supporting broadband deployment and accelerating the deployment of wireless services to unserved communities. The second phase of the Commission's Mobility Fund (MF-II) is $4.53 billion in support over the next 10 years. At 38%, my home state of West Virginia has one of the highest number of eligible MF-II areas in the country, demonstrating a need for significant public and private investment. According to the Commission's most recent broadband progress report, West Virginia ranked 43rd for overall broadband deployment and nearly last for Mobile LTE access. Congress has expressed consistent, bipartisan support for addressing the need for more reliable broadband data collection. Accurate broadband data collection processes can be especially challenging for rural communities with large, topographically diverse census blocks where only a small portion of the block may have reliable service. I am encouraged by the recently announced process to challenge presumptively ineligible communities to receive support. This will allow parties to challenge the current data and provide a clearer picture of broadband access throughout the country. Because of your visits to our beautiful, mountainous state, I know that you've seen firsthand the topographical challenges we face. In parts of the country where topography makes deploying and maintaining broadband networks a significant challenge, standalone support will help bring enormous economic benefits for rural consumers. Unlike areas of the country that are relatively flat, the mountainous terrain of Appalachia can necessitate more tower installations to ensure that communities have access to service. This, in turn, makes the deployment of service much more expensive and time-consuming for providers. WASHINGTON, OC C ~IAR LESTON ~ MARTINSBURG MORGANTOWN 172 RusstLL StNATE OFFK r Bu1w1Nc. 500 VIRGINIA STREET, EAgT 220 NORTH KANAWHA STREET 300 FOXCROFT AVENUE 413 DON LE v STREET WASHINGlON, DC 20510 SUITE 950 SUITE 1 SunE 202A SUITE 504 {2021 224-6472 CHARLESTON, WV 25301 BECKLEY, WV 25801 MARTINSBURG, WV 25401 MORGANTOWN, WV 26501 (304) 347-5372 (304) 347-!>372 {3041 262-9285 {3041292-2310 www.capito.senate.gov I am concerned that if topography is not taken into consideration, areas of the country like West Virginia risk being left behind as providers could naturally gravitate toward locations where it's more economically viable to serve. Because this is a 10-year program, I want to assure that locations that are currently eligible and locations that may become eligible through the challenge process are adequately funded by a formula adopted by the Commission that takes topography into consideration. Therefore, I am asking that you set aside funding within the Mobility Fund II for unique topography and difficult locations, like West Virginia, when you release the auction procedures later this year. I am committed to ensuring that rural, mountainous states like West Virginia do not fall further behind and that less expensive networks over flatter terrain are not prioritized over another because of topography. Thank you for your dedication to rural broadband deployment and for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Shelley Moore Capito United States Senator