FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON O FFICE OF T HE C H AIRMAN The Honorable Jim Bridenstine U.S. House of Representatives 216 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Bridenstine: June 22, 2016 Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Commission's recent decision to create a streamlined federal Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designation process. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. Broadband has evolved to become a necessity. Broadband is necessary to connect individuals to employment opportunities, to complete an education, and to access important services online. At a time when our economy and lives are increasingly moving online, Lifeline must do the same. That is why transforming Lifeline for the 21st century is key to the future of this vital program. The Lifeline Modernization Order we recently adopted takes the next major step in fostering the Commission's commitment to universal service. The Order modernizes the program to support broadband and refocuses it to meet the 21st century's communications challenges. By dramatically improving Lifeline's management and design, and putting the program on sound fiscal footing moving forward, we will help low-income Americans all across our nation connect to the Internet and the opportunities of the broadband revolution. At the same time, the Order puts in place a number of key programmatic reforms designed to protect the integrity of the Lifeline program and build on the Commission's recent efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. One of the key components of this modernization was an increased emphasis on competition within the Lifeline marketplace. To increase participation by broadband providers and thereby increase availability and consumer choice for this interstate service, the Order enables streamlined, nationwide entry to the Lifeline program for broadband providers. At the same time, the Order notes that states will continue to play an important role in the Lifeline program. States maintain their authority to designate Lifeline voice and high-cost ETCs within the state. The Order also specifically notes that it does not preclude state commissions from policing the providers operating in their states, including Lifeline providers, to the extent state law has granted them such authority. This partnership between the FCC and states will ensure that Lifeline subscribers receive a choice of services that meet their modem needs while allowing the states and the FCC to work together to protect the integrity of the program. Page 2-The Honorable Jim Bridenstine I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Tom Cole U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2467 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Cole: June 22, 2016 Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Commission's recent decision to create a streamlined federal Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designation process. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. Broadband has evolved to become a necessity. Broadband is necessary to connect individuals to employment opportunities, to complete an education, and to access important services online. At a time when our economy and lives are increasingly moving online, Lifeline must do the same. That is why transforming Lifeline for the 21 st century is key to the future of this vital program. The Lifeline Modernization Order we recently adopted takes the next major step in fostering the Commission's commitment to universal service. The Order modernizes the program to support broadband and refocuses it to meet the 21st century' s communications challenges. By dramatically improving Lifeline's management and design, and putting the program on sound fiscal footing moving forward, we will help low-income Americans all across our nation connect to the Internet and the opportunities of the broadband revolution. At the same time, the Order puts in place a number of key programmatic reforms designed to protect the integrity of the Lifeline program and build on the Commission's recent efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. One of the key components of this modernization was an increased emphasis on competition within the Lifeline marketplace. To increase participation by broadband providers and thereby increase availability and consumer choice for this interstate service, the Order enables streamlined, nationwide entry to the Lifeline program for broadband providers. At the same time, the Order notes that states will continue to play an important role in the Lifeline program. States maintain their authority to designate Lifeline voice and high-cost ETCs within the state. The Order also specifically notes that it does not preclude state commissions from policing the providers operating in their states, including Lifeline providers, to the extent state law has granted them such authority. This partnership between the FCC and states will ensure that Lifeline subscribers receive a choice of services that meet their modem needs while allowing the states and the FCC to work together to protect the integrity of the program. Page 2-The Honorable Tom Cole I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know ifl can be of any further assistance. ~/4t- Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Frank D. Lucas U.S. House of Representatives 2405 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Lucas: June 22, 2016 Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Commission's recent decision to create a streamlined federal Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designation process. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. Broadband has evolved to become a necessity. Broadband is necessary to connect individuals to employment opportunities, to complete an education, and to access important services online. At a time when our economy and lives are increasingly moving online, Lifeline must do the same. That is why transforming Lifeline for the 21st century is key to the future of this vital program. The Lifeline Modernization Order we recently adopted takes the next major step in fostering the Commission's commitment to universal service. The Order modernizes the program to support broadband and refocuses it to meet the 21st century's communications challenges. By dramatically improving Lifeline's management and design, and putting the program on sound fiscal footing moving forward, we will help low-income Americans all across our nation connect to the Internet and the opportunities of the broadband revolution. At the same time, the Order puts in place a number of key programmatic reforms designed to protect the integrity of the Lifeline program and build on the Commission's recent efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. One of the key components of this modernization was an increased emphasis on competition within the Lifeline marketplace. To increase participation by broadband providers and thereby increase availability and consumer choice for this interstate service, the Order enables streamlined, nationwide entry to the Lifeline program for broadband providers. At the same time, the Order notes that states will continue to play an important role in the Lifeline program. States maintain their authority to designate Lifeline voice and high-cost ETCs within the state. The Order also specifically notes that it does not preclude state commissions from policing the providers operating in their states, including Lifeline providers, to the extent state law has granted them such authority. This partnership between the FCC and states will ensure that Lifeline subscribers receive a choice of services that meet their modem needs while allowing the states and the FCC to work together to protect the integrity of the program. Page 2-The Honorable Frank D. Lucas I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Markwayne Mullin U.S. House of Representatives 1113 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Mullin: June 22, 2016 Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Commission's recent decision to create a streamlined federal Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designation process. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. Broadband has evolved to become a necessity. Broadband is necessary to connect individuals to employment opportunities, to complete an education, and to access important services online. At a time when our economy and lives are increasingly moving online, Lifeline must do the same. That is why transforming Lifeline for the 21st century is key to the future of this vital program. The Lifeline Modernization Order we recently adopted takes the next major step in fostering the Commission's commitment to universal service. The Order modernizes the program to support broadband and refocuses it to meet the 21st century's communications challenges. By dramatically improving Lifeline's management and design, and putting the program on sound fiscal footing moving forward, we will help low-income Americans all across our nation connect to the Internet and the opportunities of the broadband revolution. At the same time, the Order puts in place a number of key programmatic reforms designed to protect the integrity of the Lifeline program and build on the Commission's recent efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. One of the key components of this modernization was an increased emphasis on competition within the Lifeline marketplace. To increase participation by broadband providers and thereby increase availability and consumer choice for this interstate service, the Order enables streamlined, nationwide entry to the Lifeline program for broadband providers. At the same time, the Order notes that states will continue to play an important role in the Lifeline program. States maintain their authority to designate Lifeline voice and high-cost ETCs within the state. The Order also specifically notes that it does not preclude state commissions from policing the providers operating in their states, including Lifeline providers, to the extent state law has granted them such authority. This partnership between the FCC and states will ensure that Lifeline subscribers receive a choice of services that meet their modem needs while allowing the states and the FCC to work together to protect the integrity of the program. Page 2-The Honorable Markwayne Mullin I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Steve Russell U.S. House ofRepresentatives 128 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Russell: June 22, 2016 Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Commission's recent decision to create a streamlined federal Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designation process. Your views are very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding. Broadband has evolved to become a necessity. Broadband is necessary to connect individuals to employment opportunities, to complete an education, and to access important services online. At a time when our economy and lives are increasingly moving online, Lifeline must do the same. That is why transforming Lifeline for the 21st century is key to the future of this vital program. The Lifeline Modernization Order we recently adopted takes the next major step in fostering the Commission's commitment to universal service. The Order modernizes the program to support broadband and refocuses it to meet the 21st century's communications challenges. By dramatically improving Lifeline's management and design, and putting the program on sound fiscal footing moving forward, we will help low-income Americans all across our nation connect to the Internet and the opportunities of the broadband revolution. At the same time, the Order puts in place a number of key programmatic reforms designed to protect the integrity of the Lifeline program and build on the Commission's recent efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. One of the key components of this modernization was an increased emphasis on competition within the Lifeline marketplace. To increase participation by broadband providers and thereby increase availability and consumer choice for this interstate service, the Order enables streamlined, nationwide entry to the Lifeline program for broadband providers. At the same time, the Order notes that states will continue to play an important role in the Lifeline program. States maintain their authority to designate Lifeline voice and high-cost ETCs within the state. The Order also specifically notes that it does not preclude state commissions from policing the providers operating in their states, including Lifeline providers, to the extent state law has granted them such authority. This partnership between the FCC and states will ensure that Lifeline subscribers receive a choice of services that meet their modem needs while allowing the states and the FCC to work together to protect the integrity of the program. Page 2-The Honorable Steve Russell I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. 7td~?- Tom Wheeler