PITTSBURGH, May 11, 2021 – ACA Connects Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs Ross Lieberman issued the following statement on adoption of the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund Order:
“ACA Connects supports the FCC’s order adopting rules to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which will support broadband connectivity for remote learning. The new rules properly support providing broadband connectivity for students during the remainder of the COVID emergency and correctly rely on existing providers to offer broadband service and enable all providers in a market to participate in the program.
“ACA Connects members have long stood by and supported their communities and their customers so they can have essential broadband connectivity. This has been especially true during the COVID emergency as our members have stepped up to work with schools, communities, and not-for-profit organizations to provide students with connectivity for remote learning.
“The Emergency Connectivity Fund will further ensure that every student can learn at home, and we support the FCC’s efforts to expeditiously implement this program by turning to our members and other broadband providers currently serving the market. Of course, the Emergency Connectivity Fund, while a great opportunity to provide connectivity for remote learning during the emergency, is in effect for a limited time with limited funds.
“ACA Connects calls upon Congress to take the next step and enact a permanent, sustainable funding mechanism to provide broadband connectivity for in-need households without it. ACA Connects members support the establishment of such a program.”
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association – Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 600 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://www.acaconnects.org