RCA Commends House Subcommittee’s Review of the National Broadband Plan

Washington, DC – Today, the Rural Cellular Association (RCA) commended the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet and Chairman Boucher for reviewing the FCC’s National Broadband Plan. RCA thanks FCC Chairman Genachowski and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker for serving as witnesses on the panel. Providing interoperable communications for public safety proved to be a key concern for most Members and the Commissioners, and RCA continues to call for access to and interoperability across the 700 MHz band.

RCA commends the Commission for addressing the importance of interoperable communications in the National Broadband Plan; however, it is crucial for the FCC to require that all equipment have access to all paired spectrum within 700 MHz as it moves to implement broadband policy. The FCC must act on behalf of the American taxpayer by ensuring that both first responders and consumers have equipment capable of operating and roaming across all bands of 700 MHz. RCA looks forward to the implementation schedule for the various recommendations contained in the Plan and the following rulemakings addressing access, competition, and funding support recommendations, as indicated today by Chairman Genachowski.

In response to the hearing, RCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “As Congress and the FCC move to implement these provisions, we look forward to working with them to ensure that customers in rural markets have access to comparable services – both in access and in public safely.”

About RCA
RCA is the nation's leading association for wireless providers serving rural areas of the United States. The licensed service area of RCA's nearly 100 members covers more than 80 percent of the nation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2010

Contact: Lucy Tutwiler  (202) 449-9866