CCA Mobilizes Members for Capitol Hill Day
Event Features House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) Keynotes
Washington, D.C. – Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) members from across the country convened in Washington, D.C. on January 31 for its annual advocacy fly-in event.
CCA’s Capitol Hill Day serves as an opportunity for rural, regional, and nationwide wireless industry leaders to unite their voices and advocate for policies that will strengthen competition, promote innovation, and improve connectivity nationwide for the benefit of consumers.
CCA was pleased to welcome House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Commerce Committee member Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) as keynote speakers. They provided insight and perspective on crucial wireless issues pending before Congress. Dozens of CCA members attended the event, meeting directly with lawmakers to garner support for the following key policy priorities:
Spectrum: Spectrum access is crucial for carriers’ growth and innovation. Congress must reauthorize the FCC’s spectrum auction authority and identify additional mid-band spectrum to be made available for licensed, terrestrial use.
Secure Networks: Congress must immediately fully fund the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to address the $3.08 billion shortfall. Failure to secure adequate funding threatens the security and availability of advanced communication services across the country and will detrimentally impact affected carriers, the consumers they serve, and the millions that roam on their networks.
Universal Service Fund (USF): Many CCA members rely on USF to deploy, maintain, and upgrade networks in hard-to-serve and high-cost areas that may not otherwise present a business case for deployment. CCA continues to prioritize a sufficient and predictable USF for rural America as Congress intended and the importance of a properly structured and funded 5G Fund.
Other issues also included supporting continued funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program; addressing permitting and siting reform at the federal, state, and local levels; and supporting legislative efforts to restore provisions to the tax code that promote broadband investment and deployment.
“CCA’s advocacy is critical to ensuring America’s communications networks continue to lead the world,” said Jonathan Foxman, President and CEO, MTPCS, LLC and Chairman of the Board, CCA. “Our collective voice can help steer the course toward an industry landscape that champions fairness, innovation, and connectivity and a future where every American can enjoy the benefits of advanced wireless connectivity.”
Tim Donovan, CCA’s President and CEO said, “This important advocacy opportunity would not be possible without the participation and perspectives from our members who are working to ensure all Americans, regardless of where they live, work, or play can access ubiquitous wireless connectivity across the United States. These direct meetings with constituent offices build strong relationships and advance key policy priorities.”
For more information about CCA and its policy priorities, please visit ccamobile.org.
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About Competitive Carriers Association
Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is the leading association for competitive wireless 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 of customers, as well as vendors and suppliers that provide products and services throughout the wireless communications ecosystem.
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