January 30, 2020

ACA Connects Commends FCC On Adopting RDOF To Advance Rural Broadband Deployment In A Cost-Efficient Manner

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Hearn
(202) 713-0826
[email protected]

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 30, 2020 – ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement commending the Federal Communications Commission on adoption of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF):

“Over the past decade, the FCC has made great progress in evolving its high-cost universal service programs so that existing providers are not overbuilt and funds are awarded more cost-effectively to providers offering higher-performance broadband service. Today’s adoption of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund by the FCC is a significant step in that evolution.

“By adopting a challenge process to ensure eligible areas are unserved and by using the ‘budget clearing round’ approach to awarding funds in the auction, the FCC will further ensure that residents and businesses at millions of unserved locations receive broadband service that is reasonably comparable to the service urban consumers receive. ACA Connects commends the Chairman and Commissioners for adopting this sound and forward-looking approach and instituting the new program.”

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 businesses. For more information, visit: https://acaconnects.org