~nita1 ~tatts ~cnatc 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
Chairman Tom Wheeler 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12'h Street, SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
August l, 2016 
Thank you for your continuing efforts to improve both wireline and wireless broadband 
access in rural America and to promote competitive broadband markets. Today, we write to 
emphasize the importance of ensuring that the final rule in the Commission's Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on business data services is based on accurate industry data and 
promotes strong continued investment in broadband infrastructure. 
We appreciate the Commission's goal with the FNPRM to incentivize 
telecommunications providers to build and invest in networks while enhancing competition 
among the various providers of business data services. As you work toward a final rule, it is 
especially important for rural states like ours that the Commission use all the available data, 
including the data submitted earlier this year by the major cable operators, to both measure 
competitive markets accurately and ensure that the regulations for noncompetitive markets are 
based on the real cost to provide service. Rural communities depend on robust investments in 
business data services to connect small businesses and anchor institutions, support wireless data 
service, and enable economic development. Without these investments, our rural constituents 
will face significant challenges in accessing the 21st century global economy. 
We strongly believe that good decisions can be made with good information. This is an 
important rule that will serve the public's interest if it ~an be completed using the most accurate 
data. Thank you for your consideration. 
Sincerely, 
~~·-..:-
Maria Cantwell 
United States Senator 
:hrr~  
United States Senator 
d>rrt- ~.~. 
Robert P. Casey Jr. 
United States Senator 
609
A lL\~ ~har 
United States Senator 
'7 . ~I,,/.• (,_~ 7 D- .. Tami; Baldwin 
United States Senator 
,4!~~tka~iJ~ 
United States Senator 
~r.~ 
Michael F. Bennet 
United States Senator 
Angus . King, Jr. 
United States Senator 
/ 
-