NTCA Priorities for the 118th Congress

To Members of the 118th Congress, as you begin work on the many important issues facing our nation, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association (“NTCA”) hopes that you will see broadband access as a key component to enhancing and sustaining our nation’s economic and civic well-being. We offer here a policy blueprint for achieving and sustaining universal broadband access in rural America. These four overarching areas of focus – which arise out of decades of real-world experience in serving deeply rural areas, low-income consumers, and community schools and libraries and in working with various governmental connectivity initiatives – represent a proven and effective roadmap for ensuring that every American, regardless of circumstance, can get and stay connected.

• Direct the Federal Communications Commission to ensure sustainable and affordable connectivity by implementing key Universal Service Fund (USF) enhancements currently under consideration, continuing to support the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline efforts and updating the USF contribution mechanism so all that use or benefit from improved nationwide broadband access and affordability support this goal.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of broadband infrastructure funding by not taking any shortcuts in mapping, addressing concerns about coordination among programs, leveraging proven technologies and providers and relaxing strict Build American/Buy American and other procurement and wage-related provisions that do not reflect the marketplace in rural areas.
• Align tax policies with goals for broadband investment by passing the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act to ensure broadband infrastructure funding is not considered taxable income and sustaining favorable tax treatment for accelerated or “bonus” depreciation.
• Target right-sized regulation to where it is needed by promoting collaborative approaches to privacy and cybersecurity, removing undue burdens on smaller businesses such as the extension of Sarbanes-Oxley reporting requirements, and easing delays of a year or more in obtaining necessary permission for construction of broadband infrastructure.