For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (May 15, 2014) – NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statements from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the FCC’s rulemakings on open Internet rules and the upcoming auction of 600 MHz spectrum:
Regarding the adoption of a notice of proposed rulemaking on rules to protect and promote the open Internet:
“We look forward to a detailed conversation about how to establish more certain ground rules to govern the ways in which various entities interact in the broadband marketplace. Without prejudging any outcomes, no option should be left off the table in examining this multisided market and in considering the best ways to put clear ground rules in place. As part of this detailed conversation, NTCA hopes that the FCC will look not just narrowly at the specific delivery of access services to consumers, but also more broadly at how entities of all kinds interconnect and exchange data and content with one another in responding to and fulfilling consumer demands.”
Regarding the adoption of a report and order that implements rules for the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction:
“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association applauds the FCC’s efforts to give rural carriers a more meaningful chance to participate in this unprecedented auction of low-band spectrum. This ‘beachfront’ spectrum has propagation characteristics perfectly suited for serving the sparsely populated areas and uneven terrain in which many small rural carriers operate. We appreciate the tireless leadership of the commission and Congress to free up spectrum for wireless services, and we thank the variety of stakeholders, including many small, community-based wireless carriers in NTCA’s membership, that were involved in the collaborative efforts that led to some of the solutions adopted by the commission today. Our members are committed to expanding the benefits of broadband coverage to rural America, and we are eager to see in more detail how the item can help further that objective.”
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.