Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding E-Rate

On Oct 29, various Members of Congress from Texas wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to express concern about potential loopholes with Universal Service Fund (USF) Schools and Libraries Program (E-Rate) that have allowed Federal dollars to be used to overbuild existing broadband networks in Texas. They urged the FCC to reform E-Rate that ensures finite Federal resources are being used efficiently to close the digital divide without overbuilding existing networks, especially networks already constructed with USF or other Federal support. "Instead of duplicating existing networks with limited Federal dollars, Federal projects should work in a complementary fashion to reach areas where private investment is not suitable." 

On Dec 2, Chairman Pai responded by noting the lawmakers' specific concern about several TX carriers who filed a petition for rulemaking urging the FCC to prohibit the use of E-Rate funds for special construction of fiber networks that overbuild existing fiber networks. "The Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau sought comment on this petition, and the comment cycle recently closed. Commission staff is now carefully reviewing the record." Chairman Pai also noted that the FCC has sought comment on how broadband maps and datasets can be used to avoid duplicative funding in the E-Rate program. "I can assure you that we will take into consideration the issues and concerns presented by stakeholders in each in these proceedings."