For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (June 26, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s remarks to The Brookings Institution about rural reforms:
"As Chairman Wheeler recognized in citing NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association during the net neutrality debates, our organization represents the vast majority of the small rural telecom providers across the county. Working closely with several other rural telecom partners, we have presented a proposal to the FCC that combines a simple, straightforward set of changes to the existing universal service mechanisms with an optional path toward model-based universal service support for those rural carriers that want to elect such support. This package of changes – which represents a clear and overwhelming consensus – provides a common-sense roadmap for reform and a detailed point of reference for reform efforts. NTCA greatly appreciates the commitment of the Chairman and the other commissioners to complete work on reforms by the end of the year, and we continue to engage almost daily with the FCC on moving these sorts of reforms forward consistent with that goal."
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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.