NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and 21 state broadband associations submitted recommendations to the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Universal Service Fund Working Group to guide reforms of the USF to ensure that it will sustain the deployment of robust networks and delivery of reliable services at more affordable rates in rural America. In the comments, the group emphasizes that the ongoing mission of universal service does not end with the initial deployment of a network.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program presents an opportunity for NTCA members and others committed to rural vitality to deliver the broadband that rural America deserves. Our job is to act immediately and forcefully in a focused way to turn this opportunity into reality, even after all the twists and turns in the program’s development to date. NTCA suggests three specific areas to focus on in getting BEAD implementation right:

NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association, in partnership with several rural stakeholders, sent a letter to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of sufficient 2026 funding for the telecommunications programs overseen by the Rural Utilities Service within the Department of Agriculture. The organizations wrote, "Congress’s continued support for funding RUS telecommunications and broadband programs remains vital. A strong public-private partnership is essential to America’s quest to secure and maintain global broadband preeminence.

NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association submitted reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission regarding the In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete request for comments. NTCA's reply comments touched on a number of topics, including the Universal Service Fund. "NTCA urges the Commission to reject those questioning the need for universal service programs.

Rural Americans encounter substantial healthcare disparities when compared to urban counterparts, including provider shortages, less access to specialists, and higher mortality risks from various chronic and acute conditions. While 13.8% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, rural regions comprise two-thirds of healthcare provider shortage areas. Accordingly, broadband-enabled telehealth that mitigates barriers to healthcare access can be a transformative solution for patients and physicians in rural areas.

We are grateful that the Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will review the Fifth Circuit’s finding that the universal service contribution mechanism is unconstitutional as currently structured.

Collecting data and opinions from our members is one of the best tools we have to really tell the story of rural America to policymakers and stakeholders in Washington, D.C. You may have seen that NTCA released the results of a member survey conducted to show how the potential disruption of Universal Service Fund (USF) support could affect rural consumers, broadband investment in rural America and the viability of existing rural broadband networks.

One in five U.S. students attends K-12 school in a rural district. The reduced economies of scale in those schools can result in limited funding, barriers to on-going professional training for teachers and other factors that implicate trickle-down impacts on student experiences. However, many schools are developing creative solutions to address their needs, relying on technology and innovative solutions.

During the opening of the 2024 RTIME, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo encouraged small, community-based broadband providers to pursue Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program grants, telling NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield in a recorded fireside chat that the agency will continue to work to help address administrative burdens, supply chain constraints and workforce challenges.

Congress has recently committed tens of billions of dollars to broadband deployment, but taxing broadband grants dramatically reduces their impact.