MARKWAYNE MULLIN 915 ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE 2ND DISTRICT, OKLAHOMA SUBCOMMITTCES H EALTH ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE C!Congress of tbe Wntteb ci>tates OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS 1-!}ouiic of l\cprciicntatibcii U:asbington, ll<IC 20515-3602 Re~eived & Inspected December 6, 2019 DEC 1 1 2019 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman FCC Mailroom Federal Communications Commission 445 121h Street, Southwest Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: On December 13, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order to revise the amount of support available for rural telephone companies that receive Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) support to deploy broadband in high cost areas. Pineland Telephone Cooperative Inc. since filed a petition to reconsider the December 2018 Order on the grounds that approximately 230,000 rural Americans live in census blocks that will not receive funding to support 25/3 Mbps (the speed that the FCC considers to be "broadband") because their broadband provider elected the initial A-CAM offer and therefore will not be receiving an A-CAM II offer that would include more support. I share the goals of the FCC's mission to bring truly high-speed broadband to rural America. In order to stay connected and thrive in this new age of technology and constant connectivity, all rural and urban areas should be allowe4 equal access and the ability to receive adequate high­ speed broadband that can support current and future needs for Jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment~ and everyt~tng_~lse made possible through a reliable, robust connection to the Internet. I support the FC~'s ~fforts to provide fun.ding for 25/3 Mbps broadb~d to more locations, but the December 2018 Report and Order creates a discrepancy for A-CAM I and A­ CAM II recipients. I respectfully ask the FCC thoroughly review Pineland's petition, including any calculations and proprietary information that can be generated within tli,e Wireline Competition Bureau, to ensure rural Americans are not left behind. · ' . . - Thank you for your consideration of this request, and for your hard work and leadership to extend broadband to all Anlericans. , . · . ;;;~111> · Markwayne Mullin Member of Congress 2421 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 1 E. CHOCTAW, SUITE 175 811·A N. YORK ST. 223 W. PATTI PAGE BLVD WASHINGTON, DC 20515 McALESTER, OK 74501 MUSKOGEE, OK 74403 CLAREMORE, OK 74017 (2021 225-2701 (918) 423-5951 (918) 687- 2533 (918) 283-6262 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER