For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Withers, 703-351-2087, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (March 13, 2020)— NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today affirmed its members’ commitment to working with the Federal Communications Commission and other authorities to help sustain critical connectivity in the rural communities in which they live and serve as our nation confronts the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield said NTCA’s small cooperative and independently owned provider members recognize that the coronavirus presents not only deeply serious health risks, but also poses the risk of significant adverse impacts on commerce and education. To the extent that school systems and businesses may need to migrate to distance learning or teleworking, NTCA members are confident that their robust rural networks are as well-positioned as any to help ensure students can continue to participate in online education and that workers can continue to perform their jobs from remote locations. The letter comes as several other organizations and telecom providers have joined the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge to help sustain broadband or telephone connections for consumers and small businesses during this critical time.
“NTCA appreciates the leadership of the FCC as it seeks to sustain essential voice and broadband connections in the face of the current national emergency,” said Bloomfield. “NTCA and its members look forward to working with all of the commissioners, other policymakers, and other stakeholders in a collaborative effort to help ensure that the mission of universal service in rural America continues to be realized and furthered.”
A list of telecommunications providers that have signed the FCC’s pledge is available on the commission’s website. Additional NTCA members companies that have joined the pledge are:
- Silver Star Communications (WY)
- Hargray Communications (SC)
- FMCTC (IA)
- Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (IA)
- Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative (SC)
- Matanuska Telephone Association, Inc. (AK)
- Lynxx Networks (WI)
- Blackfoot Communications (MT)
- Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NE)
- Wabash Communications CO-OP (IL)
- GRM Networks, LTC Networks, and SCC Networks (MO)