NCTA Beefs About USDA Broadband Loans

NCTA BEEFS ABOUT USDA BROADBAND LOANS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The cable industry is voicing concern that a federal broadband-loan program is straying from its mission of funding high-speed-data carriers that intend to offer service to communities where the service is unavailable. Cable’s objections were expressed in a letter Tuesday from National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow to U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary Mike Johanns. “RUS [Rural Utilities Service] loans are being used to unfairly subsidize second and third broadband providers in communities where private risk capital already has been invested to provide broadband service,” McSlarrow said. Cable operators, particularly small systems, have complained in the past about the broadband loan program run by USDA’s RUS. In his letter, McSlarrow asked Johanns to “personally examine” the program and ensure that money is flowing to markets where broadband is not being offered.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6335405.html?display=Breaking+News

* NCTA Letter to Department of Agriculture Regarding Rural Utilities Service Broadband Loan Program
http://www.ncta.com/ContentView.aspx?hidenavlink=true&type=lpubtp4&contentId=3181

* NCTA Has Choice Words for USDA
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6335392?display=Breaking+News