For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va., (November 21, 2019)-NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup of mapping, supply chain, video, and other bills.
“NTCA welcomes the advancement of legislation to improve the broadband mapping process to represent more accurately deployment, and we thank the sponsors, including Reps. Loebsack (D-Iowa), Latta (R-Ohio), McEachin (D-Va.), and Long (R-Mo.). The bill takes several important steps toward improving broadband mapping – including more granular data collection, the establishment of a challenge process, and an authorization of funds to further these efforts. Better maps will help inform policymakers and providers when making important policy and investment decisions related to rural broadband deployment.
“NTCA also appreciates the efforts of Chairman Pallone (D-N.J.), and Reps. Walden (R-Ore.), Matsui (D-Calif.), and Guthrie (R-Ky.) to address communications supply chain security in a measured and thoughtful manner. We support more effective steps to manage risks in our nation’s communications networks, but this bill also rightly recognizes the need to ensure providers using equipment subsequently found to present such risks have the resources to remove and replace prohibited equipment.
“Finally, NTCA appreciates the efforts of Congress in seeking to reauthorize provisions that are important in promoting access to video content for users nationwide. At the same time, we believe additional measures are necessary to address a broken and antiquated retransmission consent regime that fails to reflect today’s video marketplace. We look forward to working with members of Congress to update a 30-year-old law and promote a more vibrant, open, and competitive video marketplace.”
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