For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly Wismer, (703) 351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (January 23, 2018)—The House Rural Broadband Caucus led by Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) sent a letter today to President Donald Trump urging his administration to include dedicated funding for rural broadband deployment in any future infrastructure plans.
“Rural communities must have adequate broadband infrastructure to attract and retain businesses and human resources, close the homework gap for students and teachers, open innovative and convenient pathways to telemedicine for seniors and providers, and help farmers increase efficiencies in their barns and on their land. The future wellbeing of our communities is dependent upon this technology” the letter states.
“NTCA greatly appreciates the House Rural Broadband Caucus’ continued advocacy to ensure access to robust and affordable broadband for rural consumers and businesses. Today’s letter, along with a similar letter from the Senate Broadband Caucus and the recent proposal from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to increase the Universal Service Fund, demonstrates the need and commitment for additional resources necessary to justify broadband investment and operations in rural America. NTCA continues to believe that sufficient funding and leveraging of broader infrastructure initiatives with universal service support will be key to making meaningful progress in promoting and sustaining rural broadband deployment," said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield.
The full text of the letter is available online.
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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 transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks 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, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year.