Chairman Response Regarding High Speed Broadband in Rural Communities

On March 13, 2019, Sens Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wrote to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai requesting an investigation into the business practices of Frontier Communications Corporation, and its subsidiary Citizens Telecommunications Company of Minnesota, LLC. In 2018, hundreds of consumer complaints across the state prompted the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to request the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) to open an investigation into Frontier's quality of internet and telephone service, billing practices, and customer service.

On April 26, Chairman Pai replied saying that the FCC authorized Frontier to receive Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II model-based support for nearly 47,000 locations in Minnesota. Before the FCC issued this authorization, Frontier provided a written commitment stating that it would satisfy the service obligations associated with this funding and acknowledging that failure to do so could result in penalties andlor enforcement actions. Since that authorization, Frontier has reported to the FCC that it has met or exceeded each of its deployment milestones in CAP-eligible areas in Minnesota and annually submitted the required reports and certifications. Moreover, the Minnesota Public Utility Commission has annually certified to the Commission that Frontier used the high-cost funds appropriately. Nevertheless, the FCC will remain vigilant to ensure that our rules are observed and taxpayer funds respected.