Press Archives

Seek a Quick Resolution to a Connect America Fund for Rate-of-Return Carriers and Restoration of Regulatory Certainty 

November 21, 2011 (Washington, DC) – The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) have begun the process of reviewing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order on Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform.  Although the rural associations appreciate the substantial efforts of the FCC to reform these complex systems, the associations remain concerned how specific aspects of the reform order – and items still left to be addressed in a further notice of proposed rulemaking – could affect rural consumers and the small, community-based carriers of last resort committed to serving them.  Now that the order and further notice have been released, this review process will enable the associations to assess all of the potential impacts, share insights and concerns with the FCC, and seek a regulatory environment that will promote job creation and investment in rural broadband.

Rural Telecom Contributes $9.6 billion to Urban Markets through Purchased Goods

October 12, 2011 (Washington, DC) – Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), testified on behalf of NTCA, the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today in the matter of "Universal Service Reform—Bringing Broadband to All Americans." She testified that rural telecom companies create rural jobs, fuel the rural economy and connect rural America to the world. She also noted that a recently released study showed that rural telecom also contributes $9.6 billion to urban areas through purchased goods. "We speak of universal service, but we really need to view these programs in the context of a universal economy," she stated. "Flash-cuts or ill-advised reforms would undermine economic recovery and growth."