NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ, NEW YORK STEVE CHABOT, OHIO CHAIRWOMAN RANKING MEMBER <tongress of the tlnited ~rates ti.~. lllousr of 1Rrprrsrntetiors 228 Q:ommittrc on ~mall )Susincss 2361 'Rayburn 1ltousc <8ffi[C )Building -Ua.shington, IDlt 20515-om April 15, 2019 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: The U.S. House Small Business Committee prides itself on partnering with other policymakers to foster a healthy economic environment for our nation's small businesses. We hear from them every day, and many of them convey their concerns about conditions that hurt their ability to compete and excel in the modem economy. Access to broadband is an important condition for small businesses to grow and expand their business. As we heard in a Small Business Committee hearing focused on boosting rural digital opportunities, small e-commerce businesses in rural America suffer from inconsistent coverage and must either resort to using their cellphone as a hotspot or cease distribution until they can connect. When small businesses cannot maintain operations in rural America, it impacts the viability of rural communities and their ability to attract young families and compete in the digital economy. We are writing today to share our concerns about the digital divide and offer several ideas we believe will help expand broadband connectivity. Our interactions with small business owners and entrepreneurs in every comer of the country have confirmed that the lack of access to affordable high-speed broadband is a pervasive issue that is stifling innovation and hindering economic growth. We applaud the Commission's efforts to find ways to improve broadband mapping data and urge the Commission to move swiftly to achieve greater granularity and increased accuracy. If given the opportunity, small businesses and would-be entrepreneurs across the country would take advantage of broadband quality internet if it was available to them. We encourage the Commission to take the necessary steps to improve its data collection methods. Accurate broadband maps will ensure that federal funds will serve the communities that need them most. As members of Congress, we look forward to working with FCC on those data collection methods that will provide more context and assist in defining a more complete picture of the state of broadband availability. Furthermore, we have heard from small business owners who are enthusiastic about new and innovative technologies, such as TV white spaces technology (TVWS), that provide them with access where there is a deficit or lack of fiber-optic solutions. Adopting a mixed technology model that provides access to more unlicensed and shared spectrum opportunities for innovators to develop new technology helps close the digital divide. It is our understanding that the Commission has taken some steps in this area. However, there are still several regulatory barriers hindering the broader deployment of alternative broadband technology. It is also our hope that new technologies will not just increase access but also produce affordable options. We encourage the FCC to continue exploring ways to maximize access to unlicensed and shared spectrum in rural areas and reduce regulatory roadblocks to the availability ofTVWS technology. We appreciate your continued and tireless attention to the digital divide. The House Committee on Small Business is ready to work with the Commission to tackle the remaining roadblocks in the way of broadband deployment across the country. Please respond to our offices by May 15, 2019 with the FCC's plan to foster innovative ways to close the digital divide. Thank you again, and we look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Chairman Contracting and Infrastructure Subcommittee / Steve Chabot Ranking Member Committee on Small Business Committee on Small Business A~ Troy Balderson Chairwoman Ranking Member Rural Development, Agriculture, Innovation and Workforce Trade, and Entrepreneurship Development Subcommittee Subcommittee Andy Kim Tim Burchett Chairman Member of Congress Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Subcommittee P!asoncrow Chairman Innovation and Workforce Sharice Davids oyce ingMember Development; Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship Subcommittee Marc Veasey Member of Congres..,__ .... Adriano Espaillat Member of Congress ~Bradte~ ~ Member of Congress cc: The Honorable Michael O'Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission The Honorable Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission The Honorable Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission