(Mar. 31) In comments filed with the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), NTCA recommended RUS apply consistent rules and scoring for all ReConnect applicants rather than disparate rules based on an entity’s organizational structure. NTCA commented that requiring “non-federal entities” to adhere to Build America Buy America (BABA) requirements while other ReConnect applicants are permitted to purchase materials that are mined or manufactured in other countries would compound the equipment supply chain challenges broadband providers already encounter and conceivably result in longer lead times and higher prices for a subset of applicants that must adhere to BABA requirements.
