Contact: Lauren Gaydos, 703-351-2015
Arlington, Va., (June 3, 2021)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield on the FCC’s order to waive the application of the budget control mechanism to cost-based universal service support for the next twelve months beginning July 1, 2021:
“On behalf of the many NTCA members who depend upon universal service support to recover the actual costs of deploying and operating broadband-capable networks and delivering services in high cost areas, I thank Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel for her swift action on this important issue and Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington for acting promptly to support today’s order. This order provides greater predictability and ensures more sufficient support that will help small operators continue their great work extending networks and delivering services at more affordable rates throughout rural America. Small, rural broadband providers have worked to keep networks running and their customers connected during the pandemic, and today’s order is welcome relief that will help hundreds of rural carriers avoid significant and harmful projected losses in USF support.”
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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.