For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (May 12, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the letter led by Sens. John Thune (R–S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D–Minn.) that was sent to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler with 61 signatures from members of the Senate backing updates to the universal service support mechanisms for rate-of-return carriers that reflect increasing consumer demand for broadband:
“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is profoundly appreciative of Senators Thune and Klobuchar, along with more than half of their colleagues in the Senate, for their leadership in encouraging the FCC to make targeted updates as soon as possible to existing high-cost Universal Service Fund (USF) mechanisms. This letter represents a clear and unmistakable message from Congress that it is time to make the kinds of updates that consumers need right now. Rather than prolonged processes, we need a straightforward solution that makes surgical changes to existing rules and provides USF support that is better oriented for a broadband era. We look forward to working with Congress and the FCC to bring this vision to reality in short order and on continuing discussions regarding how to make the USF program more sufficient and predictable.”
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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.