TOM COLE 4TH DISTRICT, OKLAHOMA DEPUTY W HIP COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS LEGISLATIVE BRANCH- CHAIRMAN DEFENSE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES COMMITTEE ON RULES COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET Honorable Torn Wheeler Chairman & Inspected ((ongre55 of tbe llffitrb 71>iate5 J!)ouge of l\e~.UĞUiRsbm December 11, 2014 Federal Communications Commission 445 1ih St., SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: PLEASE REPLY TO: 0 2458 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202) 225-6165 0 2424 SPRINGER DRIVE SUITE 201 NORMAN, OK 73069 (405) 329-6500 0 711 SW D AVENUE SUITE 201 LAWTON, OK 73501 (580) 357-2131 D SuGG CuNrc OFFICE BUILDING 100 EAST 13TH STREET, SUITE 213 ADA, OK 74820 (580) 435--5375 As each day passes without broadband in rural America, the digital divide widens between our urban and rural populations. In the 1930s, electric cooperatives brought electricity to rural America when the for-profit utilities would not. Today, that same scenario is being replayed as we deploy broadband service in rural America. Robust broadband service is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity for full participation in our economy and society. The Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II represents a tremendous opportunity to fulfill the promise of ubiquitous access to high speed internet for every American. I commend the FCC's efforts to ensure that CAF funds are maximized to their best use, and recognize the complexities of this effort. I encourage the Commission to create an inclusive process where all eligible providers, including electric cooperatives, have an opportunity to compete for support by offering effective solutions to close the digital divide between rural and urban areas. I write today to emphasize to the Commission a critical element in the comments filed by NRECA in this proceeding. Under the CAF-II process, areas in which a proposal for a rural broadband rural experiment is submitted should be removed from a price cap carrier's state-level commitment. By removing the right of first refusal, the Commission would enable a price cap canier, the applicant submitting the formal proposal and any other eligible provider to participate in the competitive bidding process for model-based support for that area. This process should drive down costs and preserve scarce universal service funds. Competing for a chance to provide voice and broadband services in unserved and underserved locations is a once in a generation opportunity for entities such as electric cooperatives to close the digital divide. A more inclusive approach to solving this issue will allow for a better allocation of scarce universal serve funds at relatively higher broadband service performance levels. 1289 Without a level playing field, open to competition, rural America may never have the chance to experience the educational opportunities, employment prospects, and advanced healthcare that broadband delivers to those lucky enough to live in low cost, high population centers. I look forward to working with the Commission to bring broadband service to our constituents in Rural America. CC: Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Commissioner Ajit Pai Commissioner Michael O'Rielly Sincerely, Tom Cole Member of Congress