SAXBY CHAMBLISS
GEORGIA
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WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1007
June 22,2010
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
COMMIITEES,
AGRiCULTURE
RANKING MEMBER
AGING
ARMEO SERVICES
INTELLIGENCE
RULES
I write to share my thoughts on the National Broadband Plan (NBP). I applaud the goal that you
have set for the FCC to ensure that every American has affordable access to robust broadband
service. I appreciate your focus on reform ofthe universal service fund and the need to explicitly
support broadband as an important step in this process. As you craft the policies that will
achieve these goals, you must consider the impact ofyour proposals on rural America.
In the Recovery Act, Congress directed the FCC to conduct "an analysis oithe most effective
and efficient mechanisms for ensuring broadband access by allpeople ofthe United States."
Consistent with the purposes laid out by Congress, the NBP contemplates the great social and
economic benefits that broadband access brings - including increased educational and
employment opportunity, improved health care, and greater energy efficiency. I know our
shared goal is to ensure that every American can reap these benefits.
My concern is that some ofthe proposals in the NBP have the potential to set the United States
on a course toward a greater digital divide between urban and rural areas. For example, while
trumpeting the benefits ofbroadband at 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for 100 million homes,
the NBP also moves to transition the universal service fund to support broadband offerings at 4
Mbps. The practical impact is two very different goals for rural regions and more densely.
populated areas. Establishing such a low threshold for rural residents and businesses relegates
them to second class broadband capacity. It hinders their ability to share in the transtormative
vision for broadband outlined in the NBP.
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416 RUSSElL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 2051().-10Q7 >
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P.O', Box 3217
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PHONE: (706) 650-1555
TOLL FREE NUMBER
, 1 (800) 234-4208
Rural Americans and businesses are understandably concerned about the impact ofthe proposals
in the National Broadband Plan on their ability to receive comparable and affordable broadband
service. I urge you to seriously consider these concerns as you implement the plan's
recommendations and take the appropriate steps to ensure all Americans playa role in, and
benefit from, the promise ofbroadband.
Very truly yours,
SC:rge
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~bYChambliss