Contact: Lauren Gaydos, 703-351-2015
Arlington, Va., (November 5, 2021)— NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield applauding the House passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes $65 billion in total funding for broadband:
“If the last 20 months have shown us anything, it’s that access to broadband is essential. On behalf of NTCA’s nearly 850 community-based providers, I am thrilled that Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes an historic investment in broadband infrastructure. Implemented properly, this investment should go great distances toward connecting the millions of rural consumers who still need reliable, sustainable and affordable access—improving economic opportunity, job creation, education, healthcare and civic engagement. As policymakers at the state and federal levels decide how to implement this landmark legislation, I urge them to invest in future-proof scalable technology like fiber, and to partner with small, community-based local exchange providers – regardless of their corporate structure – who have already proven their ability and commitment to build and maintain strong networks in rural areas. We are eager to see the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Biden and we look forward to working with policymakers at all levels to successfully implement it.”
Earlier this month, Bloomfield outlined a path forward following passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in The Hill.
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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.