For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Boston, Mass. (September 21, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield in response to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s remarks at the association’s Fall Conference:
“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association appreciates Chairman Tom Wheeler taking the time to come before our membership to share his views on how we can collectively tackle the challenges of providing and sustaining universal access in rural areas. We have been seeking and proposing thoughtful, targeted updates to the existing universal service mechanisms for several years, and it has been encouraging to see the Chairman and his colleagues devote attention to these issues.
“The keys are now to make sure any reforms that are made build and sustain upon the successes realized thus far, while also positioning community-based providers to continue investing and delivering high-quality, affordable services in rural areas going forward. As an industry that has lived through prior changes that hindered rather than fostered investment, we know firsthand the importance to consumers and communities of both getting reform done and getting reform right. We hold out hope and are working hard with the FCC and other stakeholders to make such reforms a reality.”
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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.