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CCA In the News: A national imperative for Rip-and-Replace funding
August 24, 2024
By Tim Donovan
Across the vast and varied landscape of the United States, millions of Americans reside in, work, and visit rural and remote areas, far from our bustling urban centers. These wide, open spaces and challenging terrain are home to families, farmers, outdoor enthusiasts, and small-business owners, key to our nation’s cultural and economic fabric.
Like in more densely populated areas, reliable access to wireless and communications services plays a key role in modern life, from economic, social, and educational opportunities to access to public safety and emergency services. Worryingly, lack of funding for a critical congressional mandate means that too many of these communities face a significant threat to connectivity and security due to untrusted foreign telecommunications infrastructure.
rural. regional. nationwide.
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Washington, D.C. – Today, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) President and CEO Tim Donovan testified before U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on the state of rural broadband deployment and connectivity. CCA commends the Subcommittee for holding the hearing and calling attention to the challenges rural communications providers face, along with the need for congressional action to support broadband expansion. “Our industry needs decisive action from federal policymakers to expand and maintain critical services in rural areas, including through addressing an existential threat to the Universal Service Fund (USF) in the courts and modernizing many aspects to continue this important program; improving the 5G Fund and basing eligibility on reliable mobile mapping data; supporting successful implementation of the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program with reasonable modifications; ensuring network security; restoring spectrum auction authority; and reforming the siting and permitting process to provide operators with greater certainty and drive rural broadband deployment,” said Donovan in his written testimony. “These actions are critical to ensuring that all Americans have access to reliable broadband services that support economic growth, innovation, and connectivity in today’s digital world. […] CCA is committed to working with all stakeholders to accomplish the challenging task of promoting broadband connectivity for millions of consumers in rural America.” For more information about CCA and its policy priorities, please visit ccamobile.org . ### About Competitive Carriers Association Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is the leading association for competitive communications service providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions, as well as vendors and suppliers delivering products and services throughout the communications ecosystem.
Washington, D.C. – Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) members from across the country convened in Washington, D.C. on February 12 for an annual advocacy fly-in event. CCA’s Capitol Hill Day serves as an opportunity for rural, regional, and nationwide wireless and communications industry leaders to unite and advocate for policies that will strengthen competition, promote innovation, and improve connectivity for the benefit of all consumers. CCA was pleased to welcome Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman John Joyce (R-PA), as keynote speaker. CCA members met directly with lawmakers and key Congressional staff to discuss how Congress can support competitive carriers in the 119 th Congress. CCA members stressed the critical importance of preserving the Universal Service Fund (USF) for expanding and maintaining networks to serve high-cost areas, and for reliable 5G coverage data mapping that accurately reflects consumers’ mobile experiences. Members also urged Congress to prioritize spectrum access in rural America by reinstating the FCC’s auction authority and developing a long-term spectrum strategy including identifying underutilized bands for commercial use and optimizing the efficiency of existing spectrum resources. Members also highlighted the need for infrastructure reform to overcome deployment barriers, advocating for streamlined federal permitting and siting policies, clear federal guidance on network security while ensuring compliance burdens are manageable for smaller carriers, and tax policies that encourage investment in connectivity, including R&D tax credits and tax exemptions for broadband funding programs and spectrum licenses. “CCA is an extremely effective advocacy organization and represents our members’ collective voices in performing the important work of deploying our nation’s critical communications networks,” said Maureen McCabe Moore, SVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer, GCI Communications Corp., and Chair of the Board, CCA. “We seek to shape policies that promote fairness, drive innovation, and ensure that every American has access to cutting-edge connectivity.” Tim Donovan, CCA’s President and CEO, added, “Our advocacy efforts are only possible because of the dedication and engagement of our members, who work tirelessly to expand connectivity across the country. Together, we are ensuring that all Americans, regardless of location, can stay connected in today’s digital world.” For more information about CCA and its policy priorities, please visit ccamobile.org . ### About Competitive Carriers Association Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is the leading association for competitive communications service providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions, as well as vendors and suppliers delivering products and services throughout the communications ecosystem.