For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (January 11, 2017)— NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today thanked members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for sponsoring legislation in the 115th Congress seeking to address the ongoing rural call completion epidemic threatening the well-being of countless rural Americans.
The Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act was introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. David Young (R-Iowa). The bills have drawn bipartisan support from Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.).
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield issued the following statement in response to today’s action.
“NTCA thanks Sen. Klobuchar and Rep. Young for their sponsorships of the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act. The reintroduction of this legislation in both the Senate and House is another important step in the long road to resolving call quality and reliability issues that have plagued rural Americans for years,” Bloomfield said. “We believe the bills will play a critical role in promoting greater visibility into the call completion problems that threaten public safety, businesses and the general wellbeing of countless Americans. We also greatly appreciate the leadership and support of Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Thune, Sen. Tester and Rep. Welch and look forward to working with them to seek passage of these important bills, which received broad bipartisan support in the 114th Congress.”
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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.