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October 15, 2009
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
We write to express both our hopes and concerns related to current and upcoming Commission
proceedings focused on the deployment and use ofbroadband networks.
We applaud the Commission's effort to gather information about broadband and its recognition
of the significant progress achieved to date, progress that is a direct result ofpolicies that have
encouraged competition and private investment and relied on the exercise ofregulatory restraint.
A decade ago, broadband was a nascent service, and only one percent ofU.S. households
connected to the Internet through broadband lines; today by contrast, roughly two-thirds of
Americans connect through high-speed connections that are available to ninety-five percent of
households. While we have further to go as a nation in extending the benefits ofbroadband to
all, it is our strong beliefthat continued progress in expanding the reach and capabilities of
broadband networks will require the Commission to reiterate, and not repudiate, its historic
commitment to competition, private investment and a restrained regulatory approach.
As the FCC embarks on its much anticipated rulemaking addressing the subject of"net
neutrality," we therefore urge the Commission to carefully consider the full range ofpotential
consequences that government action may have on network investment. We are confident that
an objective review ofthe facts will reveal the critical role that competition and private
investment have played -- and ofnecessity will continue to play -- in building robust broadband
networks that are safe, secure and open. In light ofthe growth and innovation in new
applications that the current regime has enabled, as compared to the limited evidence
dcmonstrating any tangible harm, we would urge you to avoid tentative conclusions which favor
government regulation.
Like you, we believe in a transparent, data-driven process and stand ready to work with you on
measures that will spur adoption and expand the use ofbroadband networks. But we remain
suspicious ofconclusions based on slogans rather than substance and ofpolicies that restrict and
inhibit the very innovation and grmvth that we all seek to achieve.
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Thank you for this opportunity to share our views.
Travis Childers
Member ofCongress
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Charlie Gonzalez
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Michael McMahon
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Frank Kratovil, Jr.
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Allyson Schwartz
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Bennie G. Thompson
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Paul Tonko
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David Scott
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Debbie L. Halvorson
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CC: Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn
Commissioner Robert M. McDowell
Commissioner Meredith Attwell
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Emanuel Cleaver
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