For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (September 21, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today thanked members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing H.R. 2566, “The Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act,” and again expressed optimism that legislation can play a role in putting an end to the problem.
“The advancement of the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016 to the full House for consideration is another important milestone in seeking a resolution that has been a long time coming,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “We appreciate the leadership of Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden in ensuring that the legislation’s path to passage continues. We also thank of course Rep. David Young, who introduced the bill, and Reps. Bob Latta, Peter Welch, and Dave Loebsack, for their long-standing support and interest in finding solutions.
“The inability of people to receive phone calls greatly weakens the reliability of our telecommunications networks and threatens the safety, commerce and well-being of people not just in rural America but throughout the country. We are optimistic that this legislation can play an important role in helping to address these concerns, and we look forward to continued engagement with Congress and the FCC.”
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing more than 800 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.