NTCA Rural Wireless Survey: Are Competitive Pressures Lessening?

Although substantial challenges still remain, rural wireless carriers are finding it a bit easier to compete when it comes to handset availability, roaming, and obtaining spectrum at auction, according to a new report from NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association. Carrier concerns about their ability to compete with national carriers rose slightly, however, as did concerns about backhaul capacity and costs.

The report, titled “NTCA 2015 Wireless Survey Report,” was based on a survey of NTCA members conducted in the fall of 2015. Eighteen percent of members responded to this year’s survey. When asked about concerns threatening future plans, 42% of respondents cited handset/equipment availability, while 42% cited obtaining spectrum at auction and 39% cited negotiating roaming agreements. Those percentages were down from 54%, 45% and 45%, respectively, in comparison with the same survey conducted a year earlier.