MARTIN HEINRICH COMMITIEES: NEW MEXICO ARMED SERVICES ENERGY AND N ATURAL RESOURCES (202)224-5521 INTELLIGENCE (202) 228-2841 FAX Heinrich.Senate.Gov tinitm ~mtrs ~rnatr JOINT ECONOMIC WASHINGTON, DC 20510 May l, 2019 254 Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 Twelfth Street, SW, Room 8-C453 Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: I respectfully request the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Office of Native Affairs and Policy, and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) host at least three in-person technical assistance workshops in New Mexico during this fiscal year's funding cycle. The purpose of the workshops should be to increase participation in federal broadband programs and improve internet access across the state's rural and tribal communities. As you know, high-speed broadband is key to a thriving economy and a well-educated workforce, yet over half of rural communities in New Mexico lack such access, and the divide is even wider in tribal communities. Too many rural New Mexicans and Native Americans are without even basic access to the internet, and are missing critical economic development, educational, and tele-health opportunities. New Mexicans across the state could benefit greatly from the FCC and USAC's grant programs and services, but these resources are often inaccessible because information and program webinars are primarily available online. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a series of reports that found that the broadband data collected by the FCC overstated service in tribal communities, thereby limiting the FCC's, tribal stakeholders' , and the federal government's abilities to target broadband funding to these areas. The FCC's actions were detrimental to my constituents and helped to exacerbate the lack of broadband funding in New Mexico. It is critically important the FCC immediately work to correct these deficiencies. The GAO also found tribes face barriers to obtaining funds to improve access and less than 1 percent of FCC broadband funding went directly to tribes from 2010 to 2017. This exemplifies the need for further, more comprehensive technical assistance and engagement in New Mexico. These technical assistance workshops would also help to reduce the administrative burden the application process can place on some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. ALBUQUERQUE FARMINGTON l.As CRUCES ROSWELL SANTA Fe 400 G OLD AVENUE SW 7450 EAST MAIN STREET 505 SOUTH MAIN STREET 200 EAST 4 TH STREET 123 E AST MARCY STREET SUITE 1080 SUITE A SU ITE 148 S UITE 300 S UITE 103 A LBUQUERQUE, NM 87102 FARMIN GTON, NM 87402 LAS CRU CES, NM 88001 ROSWELL, NM 88201 SANTA Fe. NM 87501 (505) 34fHi601 (505) 325-5030 (575) 523- 6561 (575) 622-7113 (505) 988-6647 (505) 346-6780 FAX (505) 325-6035 FAX (575) 523-6584 FAX (575) 622- 3538 FA X 1505) 992-8435 FAX I know that you share my belief that the residents of New Mexico are entitled to enjoy the same access to the internet as the rest of the United States. I ask the FCC and USAC to commit to ensuring every tribal and rural community in New Mexico has an equitable opportunity to receive broadband funding. We urgently need to invest the necessary resources so all of our children, no matter where they live or go to school, can access the internet and learn the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. I look forward to working together to improve access to high-speed internet across the state of New Mexico. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. Sincerely, ~~-----Martin Heinrich United States Senator