NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association
Rural Broadband’s Role in the AI Economy
AI is a rapidly evolving technology that has exploded in the last decade. In the past three years, AI chatbots, agents and operational support have gone mainstream. Major players in big tech such as Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon have made huge investments in AI. Strategic startups from just a few years ago like OpenAI and Anthropic have grown into multibillion-dollar companies. Rural broadband providers can play several roles in the AI space.
NTCA Calls for Accountability and Transparency in Measuring BEAD Performance
NTCA urges the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to further advance accountability and transparency in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program by publicly releasing (or directing Eligible Entities to publish, as applicable) the results of each subgrantee’s performance testing.
Partly Cloudy With Increasing Sunshine by Broadband
Labor market shortages in rural spaces have been a subject of inquiry for several years. Certain conversations intensified after the Great Recession and COVID-19, but the primary forces reshaping rural job markets had been building for decades. Continuing evolutions in U.S. labor markets, however, indicate positive opportunities for rural spaces with robust broadband connectivity, supplemented by active engagement among different sectors, including K-12 education and upskilling for current workers, all aimed at facilitating tech-based and knowledge economy jobs. As of January 2026, U.S.
30 Years Later, The Details Still Matter
The House Subcommittee on Communications & Technology held a hearing recently on the Telecom Act of 1996—30 Years Later.
Making Connections and Making You Think
Every conference has its purpose and place. The conference that’s on my mind today is NTCA’s Telecom Executive Forum, which just wrapped up this week. It’s the mark of a great meeting when your newly expanded 75-minute peer roundtables still aren’t enough time to compare notes and cover everything the group wants to discuss.
Grateful for the Journey, Optimistic for the Future
On March 15, Shirley Bloomfield stepped down from her position as CEO of NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association. Bloomfield reflected on the company's accomplishments during her tenure at NTCA, as well as the things ahead and those she has been most grateful for. "I leave NTCA deeply proud, profoundly grateful and incredibly confident in what comes next," said Bloomfield. "The future of rural broadband is not just bright — it is being built by capable hands, strong leaders and communities that never back down from hard work."
Earning Your Trust Every Day in the Job
NTCA - the Rural Broadband Association has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, Mike Romano. Romano previously served as the Executive Vice President of NTCA. "I joined NTCA in the middle of the National Broadband Plan, and we’ve worked since then through multiple Universal Service Fund (USF) reforms and even court challenges," he said. "Today, we aren't just looking at regulatory challenges either. The marketplace is changing too. Competition and technology are evolving, offering promise while also creating new pressure points.
NTCA Broadband/Internet Availability Survey Report 2025
In September 2025, NTCA partnered with Industry Insights, Inc.3 to conduct its annual Broadband/Internet Availability Survey. Industry Insights distributed the survey via email, providing a link to an online questionnaire sent to each NTCA member company at the holding company level. Findings include:
Foundation for Rural Service Awards $145,000 In Community Grants
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Grants Program, totaling over $145,000. The company awarded grants to 31 rural-serving organizations nationwide to support projects in public service, education, health and business development. Awards include $4,945 to Central Christian College of Kansas to create a Digital Learning and Academic Support Hub that expands access to broadband-enabled technologies and peer tutoring for rural and first-generation students.