For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder Smith, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (May 12, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the FCC’s announcement that 99 applications were accepted and deemed complete to participate in the forward auction portion of the spectrum incentive auction:
“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is pleased that a number of its member companies submitted applications to participate in the spectrum incentive auction. More than 20 applicants—representing roughly a fourth of all applications submitted—were able to take advantage of the FCC’s rural bidding credit that NTCA advocated to obtain. This strong showing demonstrates the commitment that rural telecommunications providers have to providing state-of-the-art communications services for the benefit of the communities they serve, and highlights the very real benefits of the FCC’s decision to establish a rural bidding credit for this auction so that those most interested in finding innovative solutions to serve rural markets have a better opportunity to do so.”
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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.