For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (October 27, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Michael Romano, senior vice president of industry affairs and business development, following the FCC’s adoption of new broadband consumer privacy rules.
“Protecting the privacy of broadband consumers is an important charge that America’s small, rural telecommunications providers take seriously in serving their neighbors and hometown businesses. However, actions taken today by the FCC will generate profound customer confusion and a false sense of security by imposing upon Internet service providers requirements to which other firms that have access to (and which use) the same user data are not subject.
“NTCA appreciates the FCC’s apparent recognition of small provider concerns in developing these new rules, but remains concerned that aspects of them will impose substantial costs and potential liabilities on communications providers of all shapes and sizes. We look forward to working with the commission and other stakeholders to ensure a flexible, balanced approach to data privacy and security that secures a uniform path forward for both users and all participants in the online ecosystem.”
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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.