1116 tfinitcd ~tatcs ~cnatc WASHINGTON, DC 20510 The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12'11 Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: November 4, 20 13 We write to you today to request that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) remain committed to recognizing the importance of investing in rural America. We urge the FCC to continue reviewing the reforms to the Universal Service Fund (USF) and their impacts on small rate-of-return regulated telecom carriers and the rural consumers they serve in Minnesota. Since the initial 20 11 USF reform order, the FCC has made s ignificant progress in the deployment of broadband to unserved customers in rural areas served by price-cap carriers through the Connect America Funds. However, there is continued concern about the impact of the reform order on rate-of-return carriers and their abili ty to further invest in their networks and bring high-speed broadband to the areas they serve. The 20 11 order has caused uncertainty for these companies. Ofparticular concern are the impacts of the Quanti le Regression Analysis on capital investment and financing for broadband deployment. Whi le the FCC has taken some steps to provide relief from these negative impacts, the Commission should continue to move forw-ard on addressing any lingering uncertainty. A robust broadband infrastructure allows for rural consumers to benefit from improved health care access, education, and economic deve lopment. We urge the commission to take timely steps to re-establish predictabi lity, sufficiency and transparency fo r rate-of-return carriers. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to protecting and improving communications infrastructure in rural America. We look forward to your response. Sincerely , (:\~\~ Amy Klobuchar United States Senator CC: Commissioner M ignon Clyburn Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Commissioner Ajit Pai Commissioner M ichael O'Riel ly AI Franken United States Senator