For Immediate Release
Contact:Laura Withers, (703) 351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (April 27, 2017)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today released the following statement from NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield in response to the FCC’s circulation of a notice of proposed rulemaking and order addressing the commission regulation mandating higher prices for basic voice service in rural areas known as the “rate floor:”
“NTCA is delighted to see the draft notice proposing to eliminate the rate floor policy that has punished smaller carriers and perplexed rural consumers in recent years, along with a draft order that would halt the escalating effects of the rate floor pending action on that notice,” Bloomfield said. “We thank Chairman Pai for circulating this proposal for consideration by his fellow commissioners, and especially for his early leadership in first calling out the effects of the rate floor several years ago. We are also grateful to Commissioners O’Rielly and Clyburn for their recent comments reaffirming their commitment to review the effectiveness of previously adopted policies. NTCA is therefore hopeful that this item can ‘cross the finish line’ at the FCC’s May meeting, and that we will be able to continue to work with the FCC on other universal service-related issues that are important to promote the availability and affordability of voice and broadband services for rural consumers.”
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 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.