BRIAN SCHATZ 
HAWAII 
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The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Conununicutions Commission 
..J..+5 12th Street S. W. 
Washington. DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
November 5, 2015 
HART BUILDING 
SUTTE SH-722 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1105 
12021 224-l934 
300 ALA MOANA BOULEVARD 
ROOM7-212 
HONOLULU, HI 96850 
(8081 523 2061 
In light of issues raised regarding Sandwich lsles Communications (SIC). I want to make sme that 
the FCC closely monitors the potential impacts on SlCs customers. 
Jn a September 2015 rnling. the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) rejected SI Cs bid fo r 
recertitication as a telecommunications carrier el igible to receive federal fimrncial support from the 
Universal Service r:'Lmd due to concerns that the company was not using federa l fonds·· .. . for the 
provision, maintenance and upgrading or facilities and services for which support is intended.'' I 
understand that Hnwaii 's PUC rul ing fo llows the FCCs decision to suspenJ rederal run<ls while the 
Universal Service Aclministn.1tive Compuny conducts an audi t of the company. 
l Cully support the PUC"s decision and the FCCs actions related to SIC. The Commission must 
continue efforts to effo11s to combat waste, fraud and abuse of the Universal Service FLU1d. In fact, 
the FCC's recent public notice on this issue is an important reminder to companies that they have a 
moral and legal responsibility to ensure thal public dollars are used as effectively and effici ently as 
possible. 
Parallel to these actions however. \.Ve must also stri ve to ensure uninterrupted service to SIC's 
customers. I am writing to request that you commit to using all of the FCC's statutory and 
regulatory powers to protect consumers and prevent the disruption of services to SJ C's customers 
during and beyond the audit. 
I would appreciate your personal attention to this matter. Irnprovi_ng accountability in the industry 
and ensuring on-going services to all consumers is of criti cal importance to the FCC's universal 
service mission. 
Respectfully, 
p,,.:..__ 7~ 1( 
BRIAN SCHATZ 
United States Senator 
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