For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va., (December 4, 2019)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the announcement from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on his plans to establish a 5G Fund for rural America.
“NTCA looks forward to reviewing the FCC’s proposal to create a new 5G Fund for rural America and is in the process now of examining the staff report that concludes that mapping data remain too unreliable to conduct the Mobility Fund Phase II auction as previously planned.
“Obtaining accurate maps for mobile wireless services has proven particularly vexing, and in just the past several months, the FCC adopted new provisions to develop better maps for fixed and mobile services alike through a combination of more precise technical standards for reporting and public stakeholder input and challenges.
“NTCA members are eager to continue leading the charge in deployment and delivery of advanced services in rural areas, and we hope that the availability of better coverage data and this shift in program objectives will ultimately promote increased investment in, and help sustain, robust rural wireless networks.”
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