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Jlut,irlgtnat, DC! ;aD515
March 22. 20 II
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chainnan
Federal Communications Commi&sion
445 12th Street, SW
Washington. DC 20554
Dear Chainnan Genachowski:
We write today to bring to your attention to an issue ofgreat importance to our
constituents and Georgia's ectlnomy.
As you may know, Allied Wireless Communications Corporation (Allied)
acquired substantial existing rural wireless operations in the State of Georgia as part of
the government's mandated divestiture as a condition for approval ofthe merger between
Verizon and Antel. In order to build, maintain and expand operations, these markets
have historically received Universal Service Fund (USF) suppon identifled for precisely
this purpose in these types ofmarkets. In fact, the Georgia mll/l(ets acquired or managed
by Allied received approximately SIS million in 2009, and almost $6 million in 2010
(before the tranuction closed). Allied currently employs over 200 people, operates'16
retail stores and has over 60 independent locations serving over 300,000 subscribers
primarily In rural.areas ofour state. This activity has been greatly enhanced through the
assistance ofthe USF program.
Unfonunately, Allied's USF support for these operations was terminated when
the transaction closed in April 2010 because ofa technicality in the way the transaction
was structured. forcing the company to forego millions ofdollars ofUSP monies until it
could rc..apply for USF support in Georgia. Allied promptly filed aPplications with
the Georgia Public Service Commission to reinstate thi, crucial USF support. The
Georgia Public Service Commission quickly ruled in September 20 I0 that rural
customers in the state ofGeorgia would be served best ifAllfed's USF support WlIi
restorad as ofthe date the transaction closed and Allied, as the successor company to
Alltel in these designated Georgia mll/l(cts, could access the same funds that otherwise
would have lone to Aillel, In light ofthese unprecedented circumstances, the company
has sought a waiver ofFCC rules in order to receive the funds to which the Slate of
Georgia says they arc entitled.
,,,INTm ON Jl,ICYCI.ID PAPCJl.
We request that you carefully review Allied's waiver application and consider the
set ofevents, the limited nature ofAllied's request, the rural impact on our SlAte, and the
decision ofthe Gcoraia Public Service Commission as you reach your decision.
C.f2., ...u:.
axby Chambliss
~JJ-"
U.S. Representative Austin Scon
Sincerely, Xl
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