For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va., (December 9, 2019)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the December 9 letter led by Sens. Thune (R-S.D.) and Klobuchar (D-Minn.) with broad bipartisan support from 46 of their Senate colleagues to the FCC regarding the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding.
“As the FCC moves forward in the RDOF proceeding, NTCA applauds Sens. Thune and Klobuchar and their many Senate 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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