Western Telecommunications Alliance

On August 19th, WTA joined NTCA and the FACT Coalition (made up of OPASTCO, NRTC and RICA) in filing additional comments opposing the proposed NBC/Comcast merger without eight conditions being met.

On August 16th, WTA joined NTCA, OPASTCO, and ERTA in filing comments at the FCC in regards to an Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on its rules regarding pole attachments.

Today, WTA joined OPASTCO, NTCA, ITTA and RICA in filing reply comments at the FCC regarding its NOI on video set-top boxes.  Initial comments by the rural associations were filed on June 14th.

On August 11th, WTA, NECA, OPASTCO, NTCA, and the Rural Alliance submitted reply comments to the FCC on its National Broadband Plan Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry.  41 State Associations concurred with the filing.  The group also issued a press release to accompany the comments.

WASHINGTON, DC – (August 11, 2010) – The Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) offers its deepest condolences to the family of former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and to the families of the other passengers who lost their lives in Monday’s plane crash outside of Dillingham, Alaska. “Senator Stevens was not only a strong advocate for Alaska, but also of rural areas across America. WTA members will be forever grateful for his energy and longstanding commitment to Universal Service,” said Kelly Worthington, WTA’s Executive Vice President. WTA also wishes a speedy recovery for those who survived the accident.

Today, WTA, NECA, OPASTCO, NTCA and ERTA filed comments at the FCC stating that VoIP providers should be subject to the same service outrage reporting standards as other voice service providers.  The associations also stated that the FCC should not apply these standards to Internet service providers until it completes pending proceedings on the appropriate legal framework for regulating broadband Internet access services.

Today, WTA joined NECA, OPASTCO, NTCA and ERTA in filing comments in response to the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry requesting comments on three potential approached for the legal framework for regulation of broadband Internet service.  The comments can be found here.

WTA, along with NECA, OPASTCO, NTCA, and the Rural Alliance filed comments with the FCC regarding its Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Notice of Inquiry on the National Broadband Plan.  38 state telecom associations “concurred” with the comments.  The group also issued a press release.

WTA has created a National Broadband Plan Resource Page where its members can obtain information about the National Broadband Plan, WTA and rural industry actions, grassroots advocacy and other important news.

On June 30th, associations representing rural telecommunications companies held a webinar discussing the National Broadband Plan and ways that individuals can get involved at the grassroots level.  A copy of the slides used during the webinar can be found here.  The accompanying audio can be found here, courtesy of NTCA.  This webinar will be repeated on July 7th, from 3pm to 4pm Eastern.