For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va., (June 25, 2014) – In the most recent episode of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association’s video series, “Broadband Beat With Shirley Bloomfield,” Rep. Bob Latta (R–Ohio) describes the rural call completion resolution he introduced in the House earlier this year with Peter Welch (D-Vt.), telling Bloomfield that the call completion issue affects communities, businesses and public safety in rural areas.
“We want to make sure they [the FCC] remember that we have very unique areas,” said Latta. “What I was hearing from folks was that these calls were being dropped and this is hurting business.”
Latta also explained why he introduced legislation related to ensuring net neutrality and protecting an open Internet, noting that advancements in technology are changing rapidly and regulations must not introduce roadblocks “that are going to slow it down.”
Latta also described how his leadership in the Rural Telecommunications Working Group, a bipartisan group of House Energy and Commerce Committee members, has given him an opportunity to increase the engagement of important issues like broadband deployment, rural call completion and spectrum allocation with members of Congress and the FCC.
“Broadband Beat With Shirley Bloomfield” features interviews between NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield and policy, telecom and technology leaders who are working to drive the rural broadband industry forward.
For more information about the video series, visit www.ntca.org/broadbandbeat or the NTCA YouTube channel.
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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.