Contact: Lauren Gaydos, 703-351-2015
Arlington, Va., (May 28, 2021)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act of 2021, introduced by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), which would use a portion of the proceeds from spectrum auctions conducted by the FCC to promote the buildout and ongoing operation of broadband networks:
“Successful existing programs like the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) are playing a critical role right now in helping providers deploy and sustain high-speed broadband in rural areas,” said Bloomfield. “NTCA therefore endorses the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act, which looks thoughtfully both to enable new initiatives and leverage existing programs to support the buildout and operation of broadband networks.
“If the last 15 months have shown us anything, it is that broadband connectivity is essential for daily life. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced so much of our lives to move online, NTCA’s community-based providers went above and beyond to keep rural Americans connected. But we have more work to do, and the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act would provide significant resources and powerful tools to help with the dual objectives of deploying advanced networks and sustaining high-quality affordable services across rural America.
“On behalf of NTCA’s members, I thank Senators Thune, Hassan, Moran and Cortez Masto for their leadership on this important issue. We look forward to continuing to work with them and other policymakers to connect more Americans to high-speed, future-proof broadband service.”
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America. In an era of transformative technological developments, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are advancing efforts to close the digital divide by delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks. Their commitment to building sustainable networks makes rural communities fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.