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.

Washington, D.C. – Competitive Carriers Association President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement: “CCA congratulates Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on being named Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senator Cruz has been dedicated to fostering growth, innovation, and U.S. leadership in the telecommunications marketplace, including in rural America. We look forward to continued collaboration with him and the entire Commerce Committee to preserve and expand connectivity nationwide for all Americans.” 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 President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement: “We are overwhelmingly pleased that Congress has passed legislation to fully fund the ‘Rip and Replace’ program as part of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This funding has been desperately needed to meet the national security mandate created by Congress and fulfills Congress’s commitment to small and rural telecommunications carriers and the communities they serve. CCA is proud to have led the industry effort to secure the funding required for this national security mandate, and we are grateful to the members of Congress and their staffs who have kept the issue at the forefront, working to secure the funding over several years. Many have tirelessly championed this initiative in a bipartisan manner to get us to this point, including Congressional leadership, who recognized and prioritized the need to keep rural communities connected while addressing the risk posed by untrusted equipment for all Americans. We look forward to the President signing this important bill into law, and continued collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission to efficiently and successfully fulfill the goals of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program.” 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. – Today, Competitive Carriers Association President and CEO Tim Donovan testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Media, & Broadband, in a hearing titled “Communications Networks Safety and Security.”  CCA commends the Subcommittee for holding the hearing and for its work on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, also known as “Rip and Replace.” This funding shortfall not only threatens connectivity in rural America, but also seriously compromises national security. CCA also emphasizes the importance of network security and the challenges faced, in particular, by smaller providers. “CCA is committed to working with all stakeholders to accomplish the challenging task of securing U.S. networks while maintaining communications services for millions of consumers in rural America,” said Donovan in his written testimony. “Strengthening our communications networks to ensure that all consumers have access to the latest fixed and mobile broadband services is critical to our national security, disaster preparedness and response, and economic growth. To that end, Congress must immediately fill the $3.08 billion funding gap for the Rip & Replace Program and support increased cooperation and partnership between federal partners and carriers to protect and defend our networks.” 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 President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement: “CCA congratulates Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) on being named Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Chairman-elect Guthrie has been a longtime leader on spectrum, security and rural connectivity issues, and we look forward to working with him to prioritize growth, innovation and collaboration in the competitive communications industry to benefit all Americans.” 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 President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement: “I am pleased to see the inclusion of funding for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Program in the text of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released today. This funding is desperately needed to fulfill the mandate to remove and replace covered equipment and services while maintaining connectivity for tens of millions of Americans. We thank the House and Senate lawmakers and the congressional staff who tirelessly championed this effort and recognized the importance of ensuring that carriers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, have the resources they need to secure their networks. CCA supports and urges Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation and send it to the President for enactment.” 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 President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement: Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s letter to Congress last Wednesday reiterates the urgent need to address the $3.08 billion shortfall in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Program. As Rosenworcel noted, 50% of Program participants cannot complete required work without additional government support, 72% flag the funding gap as a barrier to progress, and 85% of project extension requests have been tied to the lack of adequate funding. The lack of necessary funding, as detailed in the letter, is alarming and far-reaching. Participants in the Program who are the sole communications provider for rural and remote areas have already shut down portions of their networks, depriving communities of connectivity and essential services, including 9-1-1 and emergency services. Additionally, lack of full funding poses grave risks to U.S. national security, as insecure foreign-made communications equipment remains operational. Congress must prioritize full funding of Rip and Replace before the end of the 118th Congress. The stakes are too high to delay.  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.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), and USTelecom–The Broadband Association released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s announcing it will review the decision of the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding the constitutionality of the mechanism for contributions to the federal Universal Service Fund (USF). NTCA, CCA, USTelecom and several other parties intervened in appeals challenging the constitutionality of the USF contribution mechanism in the circuit courts and, along with the federal government, petitioned the Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuit decision declaring the contribution mechanism unconstitutional. “We are grateful that the Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will review the Fifth Circuit’s finding that the universal service contribution mechanism is unconstitutional as currently structured. The Fifth Circuit’s decision is contrary to Supreme Court precedent and the decision of several other circuit courts of appeals, and it threatens to undermine universal service programs that, for many decades, have served to promote the availability and affordability of critical communications services for millions of rural and low-income consumers, rural health care facilities, and schools and libraries across the nation. We look forward to presenting arguments in defense of the USF contribution mechanism as the case moves forward, and ultimately to dispelling the uncertainty that these challenges have created in furthering our nation’s mission of universal service.” ### About USTelecom USTelecom | The Broadband Association is the national trade association representing technology providers, innovators, suppliers, and manufacturers committed to connecting the world through the power of broadband. About NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing about 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 . 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. Visit ccamobile.org .

Washington, D.C. – Competitive Carriers Association President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement regarding the hearing “Big Hacks & Big Tech: China’s Cybersecurity Threat” by the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law: “We thank the Senate Judiciary Committee for convening today’s hearing on China's cybersecurity threat. The congressionally mandated Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Program’s $3.08 billion shortfall leaves networks vulnerable and an important national security mandate incomplete. “The situation is dire: Rural telecommunications providers are being forced to decide where to remove equipment but not replace it, eliminating service both to their own subscribers as well as millions of Americans who roam onto their networks for connectivity, including for 9-1-1 and emergency services. These are permanent choices that are detrimental to service availability and entire businesses. Congress must eliminate this security risk by immediately and fully funding the Program.” 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.