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Pai divide. Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Paul Tonko U.S. House of Representatives 2463 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Thnko: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC  s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Paul Tonko Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, jt V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Grace Meng U.S. House of Representatives 1317 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Meng: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. InJanuaiy 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC  s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Grace Meng Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, Uv, I V. Pal FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Eliot L. Engel U.S. House of Representatives 2462 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Engel: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Eliot L. Engel Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, jtV.Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Sean Patrick Maloney U.S. House of Representatives 1027 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Maloney: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote afterl became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Sean Patrick Maloney Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, (it V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Brian Higgins U.S. House of Representatives 2459 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Higgins: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote afterl became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. 1am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially sewed. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Brian Higgins Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, it V. Pal FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Adnano Espaillat U.S. House of Representatives 1630 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Espaillat: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition fora waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Adñano Espaillat Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, v.? V.Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable John Katko U.S. House of Representatives 1620 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Katko: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top prionty. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity fund wifi impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable John Katko Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, -: v itV.Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Tom Suozzi U.S. House of Representatives 226 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Suozzi: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC SJanuary 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Tom Suozzi Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, jt V. Pal //N\ FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION *  WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Max Rose U.S. House of Representatives 1529 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Rose: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Max Rose Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, tai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Joseph Morelle U.S. House of Representatives 1317Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Morelle: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund wifi impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Joseph Morelle Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, jtV.Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Anthony Brindisi U.S. House of Representatives 329 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Brindisi: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote afterl became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund wifi impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states.  Whilethis of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Anthony Brindisi Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. p .Sincerely, V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN Januaiy 30, 2020 The Honorable Nita M. Lowey U.S. House of Representatives 2365 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Lowey: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chainnan, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity fund wifi impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states.  Vhile this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Nita M. Lowey Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, tV. ai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Elise Stefanik U.S. House of Representatives 318 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Stefanilc: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Elise Stefanilc Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. incerely, j V.Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON SO OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Kathleen Rice U.S. House of Representatives 1508 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Rice: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Kathleen Rice Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, 1hrtk (t V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Jose E. Senano U.S. House of Representatives 2354 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Serrano: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote afterl became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 I\ Ibpsservice at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Jose F. Serrano Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. v ? FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN Januaiy 30, 2020 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler U.S. House of Representatives 2109 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Nadler: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad laniguageon that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states.  Vhi1ethis of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez U.S. House of Representatives 2302 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Velazquez: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, jjit V. Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks U.S. House of Representatives 2234 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Meeks: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auctionprogram rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, " tV.Pai FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke U.S. House of Representatives 2058 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Clarke: Thank you for your letter regarding the Federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote after I became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Yvette D. Clarke Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN Januaiy 30, 2020 The Honorable Peter T. King U.S. House of Representatives 339 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman King: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote afterl became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition fora waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Peter I. King Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, jt V. Pal t( j! FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 30, 2020 The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney U.S. House of Representatives 2308 Raybum House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Maloney: Thank you for your letter regarding the federal Communications Commission s efforts to encourage high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband deployment to rural communities through the proposed Rural Digital Opportunity fund. Closing the digital divide is my top priority. I have seen for myself 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. In January 2017, in the Commission s first vote afterl became Chairman, the agency granted New York State s petition for a waiver of the Connect America Phase II auction program rules in order to coordinate funding between the federal Universal Service Fund and the state s New NY Broadband Program to aid the deployment of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of rural New York. I am pleased that we were able to partner with the State of New York to bring digital opportunity to many rural residents of the Empire State. As you know, at the FCC s January 2020 meeting, we will be voting on rules to establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to target support to high-cost areas that lack access to fixed voice and 25/3 Mbps broadband. Phase I will allocate support to wholly unserved census blocks that is, those areas where our existing data tell us there is no 25/3 Mbps service at all. In parallel, Commission staff are working to implement the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the Commission s new granular, precise broadband mapping initiative that will enable us to know areas that are partially served. This approach will enable the Commission to move expeditiously to serve the areas we know are unserved in Phase I, and then, in Phase II, target the coverage gaps, including unserved locations in partially served areas (as determined by the Digital Opportunity Data Collection) and areas not won in Phase I. With respect to your concern about how the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will impact New York, the draft report and order contained some overly broad language on that issue. I am pleased to inform you that this language will be removed from the item, and that the areas in New York eligible for Phase I of the program will be determined by the same neutral principles applicable to other states. While this of course does not guarantee that any particular area will be eligible for support, it ensures that the Commission s eligibility criteria are applied evenly across the country. Page 2 The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney Thank you for your interest in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to close the digital divide. Sincerely, tV.Pai