USDA Meets with Chairman Genachowski

On May 31st, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and RUS Administrator Jonathan Adelstein met with Chairman Genachowski and his staff.  You can find the notice of ex parte here.… Continue reading “USDA Meets with Chairman Genachowski”

Rural Associations Urge Stay of Regression-Based Caps on USF Support

Unpredictable, Impenetrable and Imprecise Formulas Will Undermine Sustainable Rural Broadband, Fail to Serve the Goals of EncouragingEfficient Operations or Prudent Investment

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2012) – NTCA, OPASTCO, WTA and NECA filed an Application for Review and Petition for StayContinue reading “Rural Associations Urge Stay of Regression-Based Caps on USF Support”

Rural Associations File Comments on Level 3 Call Signaling Waiver Petition

On May 14th, NECA, WTA, NTCA, and OPASTCO filed comments in response to a request for partial waiver of the FCC’s call signaling rules by Level 3.  The rural associations stated they “do not oppose grant of a waiver to … Continue reading “Rural Associations File Comments on Level 3 Call Signaling Waiver Petition”

Rural Associations Discuss Call Completion Survey with FCC

On May 17th, NECA, WTA, NTCA and OPASTCO met with representatives from the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and Wireline Bureau to discuss the results of the Associations’ recently completed call completion survey.  A notice of ex parte was filed.… Continue reading “Rural Associations Discuss Call Completion Survey with FCC”

Rural Telecom Associations Announce Results of Call Completion Test Project

On May 17th, NECA, NTCA, OPASTCO and WTA released the findings of a joint call completion test project conducted to determine the frequency with which calls to rural areas are being successfully terminated.

The project found that despite recent efforts … Continue reading “Rural Telecom Associations Announce Results of Call Completion Test Project”

Rural Associations File Comments on ARC and Fairpoint Call Signaling Waiver Petitions

Today, NECA, WTA, NTCA and OPASTCO filed comments on two petitions requesting waiver of the FCC’s call signaling rules.  The Alaska Rural Companies requested a broad waiver of the rules, and, in their comments, the rural associations “do not … Continue reading “Rural Associations File Comments on ARC and Fairpoint Call Signaling Waiver Petitions”

Save Rural Broadband Campaign Wins Awards

On April 30th, the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) announced the winners of the 2012 Communicators Awards, which include the Save Rural Broadband campaign.  The SRB campaign won three awards for the video it produced featuring Valley Telephone … Continue reading “Save Rural Broadband Campaign Wins Awards”