For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly Wismer, (703) 351-2015, [email protected]
Nashville, Tenn., (April 30, 2018)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today celebrated a major milestone in its members’ efforts to bring innovations to rural communities by announcing that 150 companies have received its Gig-Capable Provider certification for providing access to the Internet’s fastest speeds. The announcement was made at the 2018 NTCA PR & Marketing Conference, where the 150th company to be certified, Blue Valley Telecommunications of Home, Kan., was awarded a celebratory certificate of achievement.
NTCA launched its Gig-Capable Provider certification program in 2015 to acknowledge the work of providers in NTCA’s membership capable of delivering gigabit broadband speeds and enabling innovation in rural communities across the United States. Today’s announcement is a testament to the diligent efforts of Blue Valley Telecommunications to provide a superior customer experience, but also to the great work being done by all NTCA members to build a better broadband future for rural America.
“Despite the unique challenges facing many independent telecom providers, they continue to make significant strides in delivering technologies that drive their rural communities forward,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “Today, NTCA congratulates Blue Valley Telecommunications and the 149 companies that came before it on their notable accomplishments.”
To achieve certification, companies must show that gigabit technology is currently commercially available within 95% of one or more exchanges or census blocks, and that such service can be provided without new trenching or stringing new aerial facilities. More information about the NTCA Gig-Capable Provider Certification Program is available at www.ntca.org/gigcertified.
###
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