For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (January 16, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding draft legislation from the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about ensuring an open Internet:
“While we’re still considering the specifics of what has been proposed in the draft legislation released today, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association sincerely appreciates the interest of congressional leaders in spurring further debate over how best to achieve common-sense open Internet protections and other important public policy objectives. Whether achieved via legislative measure or regulatory action, the interests of consumer protection, competition, and universal service remain paramount. We are eager to work with policymakers to ensure that rural consumers can obtain access to robust, affordable broadband and that data flow seamlessly across the networks that connect those consumers.”
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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.