For Immediate Release
Contact:Laura Withers, (703) 351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (March 30, 2017)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today released the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) selection of AT&T to build a nationwide broadband network dedicated to America’s first responders:
“I congratulate FirstNet and AT&T. The award of the nationwide contract is a significant step forward in FirstNet’s mission to deliver an advanced network for first responders. This unique public-private partnership has the potential to bring the next generation of public safety communications to all Americans.
“NTCA members live and work in the rural communities they serve, and are committed to helping to ensure their communities’ first responders are part of an interoperable national communications system. NTCA and its members—network operators in rural areas of the country with substantial assets and infrastructure—are eager to partner with AT&T to leverage this infrastructure and to promote success in the quest to build, operate and maintain a ubiquitous public safety network throughout the country,” said Bloomfield.
###
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.