FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Richard J. Durbin United States Senate 711 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Durbin: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, (jiit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Tammy Duckworth United States Senate 524 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Duckworth: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, a(JtJ1tV Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Bobby L. Rush U.S. House of Representatives 2188 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Rush: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, .- - / 11 " " tk   k11A/ jitV. Pai THE (if fk OFFICE C CHAIRMAN OF / further and ensure Company actually Opportunity more Commission target data Commission the Rico impact community for top Dear Washington, U.S. 2367 The digital priority. look was Honorable House and granular Congresswoman Raybum our up assistance. 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COMMISSION Commission Universal available creation Open providers FCC a/\ its access Closing work and let businesses as to Meeting to That me data ensure the of of close can public and Service to the know the our territories is and is do report where why the digital that Digital critical that career feedback for the if digital Administrative will the I a broadband where it public. well can divide staff, is of to result not be bridging Puerto divide as to they the of the to is in any my THE OFFICE CHAIRMAN OF further and ensure more Opportunity Company actually Commission target data the Commission cornmunity for Rico impact top Dear Washington, U.S. The 515 digital priority. look was Cannon Honorable House and granular Congressman our up assistance. I After of I Thank offer appreciate agree forward more the to its independently efforts divide. of Data date House began absence. adopted I Virgin a DC service and you have that thorough accurate, Representatives Raja and and its to 20515 Collection. We more for using your Krishnamoorthi: a Office seen continuing families, Islands Krishnamoorthi top-to-bottom below direct accurate a your need Report granular, accurate review continued test for updated FEDERAL Building letter funding what to the myself the its That broadband understand and to census of validity schools, regarding broadband affordable and and collaborate the Order interest means review in to COMMUNICATIONS accurate ultimately record 45 areas block August of its at deployment states, where requiring WASHINGTON (jiit in of broadband that the high-speed hospitals, that maps Sincerely, level, and working on the broadbnd FCC s data, including 19, this broadband useful are V. the form through having Pal broadband 2019 most issue. painstaking and maps. its with mapping. August to 477 Internet farms, incorporating in deployment the Illinois, the the the Please process is needed. COMMISSION Commission available Universal creation Open providers FCC its access work Closing and let businesses as to Meeting to That me data ensure the of of close can public and Service to know the our the territories is and is do report where why the digital that Digital critical career that feedback for the if digital Administrative will the I a broadband where it public. well can divide staff, of is to result not be bridging Puerto divide as to they the of the to is in any my FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Cheri Bustos U.S. House of Representatives 1009 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Bustos: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, jit V. Pa; THE OFFICE CHAIRMAN OF further and ensure Company Opportunity more actually Commission target data the Commission Rico top community for impact Dear Washington, 429 U.S. The digital priority. look was Cannon Honorable House and granular Congressman our up assistance. I Afier of I Thank offer appreciate agree forward more the to independently its efforts divide. of Data date Houe began absence. adopted Virgin I a DC service and you have that thorough accurate, Representatives Sean and and its to 20515 Collection. 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COMMISSION Commission available Universal creation Open providers FCC its access work Closing and let businesses as to Meeting to That me data ensure the of of close can public and Service to know the our the territories is and is do report where why the digital that Digital critical career that feedback for the if digital Administrative will the I a broadband where public. it well can divide staff, of is to result not be bridging Puerto divide as to they the of the to is in any my THE OFFICE CHAIRMAN OF further and ensure more Company actually Opportunity the data Commission target Commission Rico impact community for top Dear Washington, U.S. The 1440 digital priority. look was Honorable House and granular Congressman Longworth our up assistance. I Afier of I Thank offer appreciate agree forward more the to independently its efforts divide. of date Data began adopted absence. Virgin I a DC service and you have that thorough accurate, Representatives Mike and and its to House 20515 Collection. We more for using your Bost: a seen continuing families, Islands below top-to-bottom direct accurate a Bost your need Report granular, accurate review Office continued test for updated FEDERAL letter funding what to the myself the its That broadband understand and to Building census of validity schools, regarding broadband affordable and collaborate and the Order interest means review in to COMMUNICATIONS accurate ultimately record 45 areas block August of its at deployment states, where requiring WASHINGTON in of broadband that the hospitals, high-speed that maps Sincerely, level, and working on the jitV. broadband FCC s data, including 19, this broadband useful are the Form through having Pai broadband 2019 most issue. painstaking and maps. its with mapping. August .v to 477 Internet farms, incorporating in deployment the Illinois, the the the Please process is needed. COMMISSION Commission available Universal creation Open providers FCC ?&, its access work Closing let and businesses as to Meeting to That me data ensure the of of close can public and Service to know the our the territories is and is do report where why the digital that Digital critical career that feedback for the if digital Administrative will the I a broadband where public. it well can divide staff, is of to result not be bridging Puerto divide as to they the of the to is in any my FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Rodney Davis U.S. House of Representatives 1740Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Davis: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the temtories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, .vs jitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Darin LaHood U.S. House of Representatives 1424 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman LaHood: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, O(JkJlt V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable John Shimkus U.S. House of Representatives 2217 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Shimkus: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen formyself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, O-v (jJ1t V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Bill Foster U.S. House of Representatives 1224 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Foster: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. Afier a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, .v fAJ j;tV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Danny K. Davis U.S. House of Representatives 2159 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Davis: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms.,its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, O(JJlt V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Jesits  Chuy Garcia U.S. House of Representatives 530 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Garcia: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the Form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, (jiit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Lauren Underwood U.S. House of Representatives 1118 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 - Dear Congresswoman Underwood: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, jitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Brad Schneider U.S. House of Representatives 1432Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Schneider: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a " community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, (jiit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Mike Quigley U.S. House of Representatives 2458 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Quigley: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. Afier a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, jitV. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Robin Kelly U.S. House of Representatives 1239 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Kelly: Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its school, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely,. V jit V. Pai THE OFFICE CHAIRMAN OF further ensure and more Company actually Opportunity Commission target the data Commission Rico community for top impact Dear Washington, 2245 U.S. The digital priority. look was Honorable House and granular Congressman Raybum our up assistance. I Afier of I Thank offer appreciate agree forward more the to independently its efforts divide. of date Data began adopted absence. I Virgin a DC service and you have that thorough accurate, House Representatives Adam and its and to 20515 Collection. more We for using your Kinzinger: a seen continuing families, Islands below top-to-bottom direct accurate a Office your Kinzinger need Report granular, accurate review continued test for updated FEDERAL letter funding what to the myself the Building its That broadband understand and to census of validity schools, regarding broadband affordable and and collaborate the Order interest means review in to COMMUNICATIONS accurate ultimately record 45 areas block August of its at states, deployment where requiring WASHINGTON in of broadband that the hospitals, high-speed maps that Sincerely, level, and working on the jitV. broadband FCC s - data, including 19, this broadband useful are the Form through having Pai broadband 2019 most issue. painstaking and maps. its mapping. with August to 477 Internet farms, incorporating in deployment the Illinois, the the the Please process is needed. COMMISSION Commission available Universal creation Open providers FCC its access Closing work and let businesses as to Meeting to That me data ensure the of of close can public and Service to the know our the territories is and is do report where why the digital that Digital critical that career feedback for the if digital Administrative will the I a broadband where it public. well can divide staff, is of to result not be bridging Puerto divide as to they the of the to is in any my FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN August 19, 2019 The Honorable Daniel Lipinski U.S. House of Representatives 2346 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Lipinski: - Thank you for your letter regarding broadband mapping. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myselt in 45 states, including Illinois, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands what affordable high-speed Internet access can do for a community for its families, its schools, its hospitals, its farms, its businesses as well as the impact of its absence. I agree that using updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide. We need to understand where broadband is available and where it is not to target our efforts and direct funding to areas that are most in needed. That is why the Commission began a top-to-bottom review of the form 477 process to ensure that broadband data was more accurate, granular, and ultimately useful to the Commission and the public. After a thorough review of the record and the painstaking work of our career staff, the Commission adopted a Report and Order at the FCC s August Open Meeting that will result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps through the creation of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. That means requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer service below the census block level, having the Universal Service Administrative Company independently test the validity of that data, and incorporating public feedback to ensure up to date and accurate broadband deployment maps. I appreciate your continued interest in working with the FCC to close the digital divide and look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, (,iit V. Pai