For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Hearn
(202) 713-0826
[email protected]
PITTSBURGH, June 6, 2019 — ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement applauding the Federal Communications Commission’s Report and Order on Leased Commercial Access:
“The FCC’s decision to eliminate the part-time leased access requirements reflects the incredible evolution of video programming over the past several decades. Part-time leased access is a relic of the past, as independent programming producers today have so many options for distributing their content to the entire world.
“Eliminating part-time leased access — combined with extending the deadline for responding to leased access requests and allowing all cable operators to respond only to bona fide requests — will do a lot to reduce burdens. Responding to leased access requests – even those that are bona fide – can be particularly burdensome for small providers, so allowing small providers 45 days to respond is especially appropriate. ACA Connects also applauds the FCC’s decision to reexamine the overly complicated formula for determining leased access rates.”
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association – Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 700 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects’ members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit: https://acaconnects.org