Universal Service
WTA’s member companies are providing 21st Century communications services to some of the most rural and hard-to-reach areas of the country. This could not be done without the federal Universal Service Fund’s High Cost Program. WTA seeks to ensure that this Fund remains a sufficient, predictable, and reliable source of support for rural networks and the Americans who depend on them.
Broadband Affordability
Ensuring telecommunications and broadband services are affordable is key to making sure they are accessible to all Americans. WTA’s member companies participate in the Universal Service Fund’s Lifeline Program, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission and designed to make communications services more affordable for low-income Americans.
With the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program, WTA advocates for Congressional action to create a more robust, permanent low-income program to help get Americans connected to broadband.
USF Contributions Modernization
The Universal Service Fund is funded by assessments on long-distance voice revenue from landline and wireless telecommunications providers, yet the funding primarily goes to funding access to broadband networks. Due to declining long-distance revenue and increased needs of the program, the contributions factor (the percentage assessed on revenue) has increased steadily from less than 10% fifteen years ago to over 30% today. We must modernize this funding mechanism for the broadband world.
Network Security
Securing networks, data, and devices is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses and consumers today. The importance of robust cybersecurity protections has never been greater in light of revelations of large data breaches affecting public and private sector entities–large, small, and everything in between.
Broadband Regulation
WTA’s member companies pride themselves on their presence in the local communities they serve. This local presence requires them to deliver a high-quality broadband product coupled with personalized customer service in a non-discriminatory manner. National, one-size-fits-all regulation often neglects to account for small, community-based providers. WTA works on behalf of its member companies to ensure that federal regulations, often focused on large national and international providers, take into account the unique situation of WTA’s member companies.
Schools and Libraries
The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program is a program within the Universal Service Fund that assists schools and libraries across the United States in obtaining and affording advanced telecommunications services. WTA members are committed to serving their communities, especially anchor institutions such as schools and libraries.
BEAD
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a $42.45 billion grant program intended to provide broadband to every American by 2030. WTA seeks to ensure that this funding is available to its member companies, spent efficiently, and is targeted at truly unserved and underserved areas of the country rather than duplicating efforts by other government programs or private sector providers.
Robocalls
As policymakers seek solutions to the scourge of unwanted robocalls, WTA continues to represent the interests of rural networks that may not be able to easily implement costly solutions to end them— such as STIR/SHAKEN—in the same manner as larger companies.
Rural Utilities Service
WTA’s member companies have a long-standing relationship with USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, going back more than 75 years to its predecessor agency, the Rural Electrification Administration. WTA has a vested interest in making sure RUS’ telecommunications loan and grant programs meet the needs of its member companies and their customers.
Resources & Key Links
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Congress.gov – This website is run by the Library of Congress and contains information on federal legislation and general Congressional activity.
- Federal Communications Commission
- FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System – Use this to search for filed comments or file your own comments on an FCC proceeding.
- Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications Programs
- National Exchange Carrier Association
- National Telecommunications & Information Administration
- Universal Service Administrative Company
- USAC Forms Database
- High Cost Fund Reform Tools
- Online Learning Library (recordings of past webinars)
- HUBB Portal
- FirstNet
- National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
- National Rural Economic Developers Association
- National Governors Association
