August 29, 2019

ACA Connects Welcomes Further Steps Toward MVPD Regulatory Fee Parity, Encourages FCC To Finish The Job

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

PITTSBURGH, August 29, 2019 – ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement in connection with the release of the Federal Communications Commission’s regulatory fee schedule for fiscal year 2019:

“ACA Connects is pleased to see the FCC continue to phase in the regulatory fee assessed on Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) providers – chiefly DirecTV and Dish – to support the work of the Media Bureau. In fiscal year 2019, DBS providers will pay 12 cents more per subscriber than they did last year. This is welcome progress.

“That said, the FCC would have been justified in going further. For too long, DBS providers have paid a lower per-subscriber rate than ACA Connects members to support the Media Bureau’s activities. As a result, smaller MVPDs through their higher FCC regulatory fees have been subsidizing their much larger competitive rivals without a showing that DBS providers were placing less of a burden on Media Bureau staff resources. The time has long since come for DBS providers to pay their fair share.In fiscal year 2020, the FCC should complete its long journey to fee parity for all MVPDs.”

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