For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (February 26, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Policy Michael Romano in response to the FCC’s vote to pre-empt certain states’ laws that limit provision of broadband services by their political subdivisions:
“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association has urged policymakers time and again to take stock of what has worked in deploying advanced networks and delivering sustainable, high-quality communications services in communities across the country. Unfortunately, today’s decision pre-empting several state laws appears to cast about for ‘the next big thing’ in broadband deployment and may put private investment at risk, rather than building upon existing efforts that leverage the best combination of public and private solutions to solve broadband challenges.
“In addition, as NTCA has explained to the FCC, there are serious doubts as to whether the path chosen in today’s pre-emption order is legally sustainable, meaning that the decision is more likely to generate regulatory uncertainty than solve those broadband challenges. With the decision behind us, we hope that the commission will now turn its attention back to building upon proven initiatives and leveraging existing efforts to realize and then sustain our shared national broadband vision.”
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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.