NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today released the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the FCC Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to prevent digital discrimination as directed by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“As providers based in the small communities they serve, NTCA members recognize the importance of ensuring ubiquitous access to, and meaningful use of, robust and affordable future-proof broadband,” said Bloomfield. “We share the overarching goal of creating an environment in which broadband access, adoption and engagement are fostered for every American. We still need to see the final order as approved and in particular understand better its application to operations in deeply rural areas. Especially for smaller rural operators, it is important that the FCC’s digital discrimination rules take proper account – as Congress intended – of technological and economic considerations that clearly affect the advancement of universal service. To avoid undermining the ongoing progress already being made toward overcoming digital divides, the rules must not create an uncertain environment where broadband providers will be anxious that decisions they make, however well-intended and prudent as a matter of business planning, could be subject to second-guessing by regulators and potential penalty. As we review the order, we hope that the commission will be open to further discussions regarding the scope and implementation of today’s order and that small rural broadband providers can stay focused first and foremost on the job of delivering robust and affordable broadband in the hardest-to-serve reaches of our country.”
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