For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va., (December 17, 2019)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the letter led by Reps. Welch (D-Vt.) and Walberg (R-Mich.) with broad bipartisan support from many of their House colleagues to the FCC regarding the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding following a similar letter sent by members of the Senate on Monday December 9.
“As the FCC moves forward in the RDOF proceeding, NTCA applauds Reps. Welch and Walberg and their many House colleagues for urging the Commission to structure a program that will support sustainable networks capable of delivering the best possible broadband access for many years to come.
“Networks are built not for the mere sake of meeting deployment goals, but rather for the purpose of connecting as many Americans as possible to one another – and the Commission’s program requirements should reflect this purpose by aiming higher.
“Just as ‘Dig Once’ policies are so popular, it’s far more efficient to have policies that encourage providers to ‘Build Once’—to deploy rural networks that are scalable and will offer services at speeds that are still relevant to customers a decade from now.
“NTCA members have been building a better future for their rural communities for decades, and as hometown providers, their commitment to connecting rural America is second to none. As this program is finalized and implemented, our members look forward to furthering their critical role in delivering on the promise of sustainable and affordable broadband for rural America.”
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