For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly Wismer, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (June 7, 2018)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statements from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield in response to several actions taken at today’s FCC open commission meeting.
Eliminating Disparate Treatment of Rural Broadband Providers
“NTCA applauds the FCC’s grant of our petition with respect to universal service contribution requirements imposed uniquely on smaller, rural providers. NTCA has long advocated for comprehensive USF contributions reform to sustain the mission of universal service in a broadband world. Until that much-needed effort comes to pass, however, today’s FCC action was critical to put these smaller, rural providers on a level playing field with other operators and help mitigate to some degree the higher costs that these smaller providers face in providing broadband to consumers and businesses in rural America. We thank Chairman Pai for circulating this item, and all of the commissioners for ultimately supporting this action.”
Wireline Infrastructure
“NTCA is encouraged to see the FCC take action to help accelerate wireline broadband deployment by removing barriers to infrastructure investment. The revisions adopted today strike a thoughtful balance between two important public policy priorities–enabling technology transitions and protecting consumers. These common-sense reforms will provide much brighter lines that help promote investment in future-proof technologies while ensuring that consumer interests and experiences as always remain front and center.”
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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.