Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding Expansion of Innovative CBRS Framework
“We applaud the joint work of the FCC, NTIA, and Navy to further enhance the benefits of the 3.5 GHz, Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band. The U.S. was at the forefront of global innovation when it created the three-tier dynamic spectrum sharing regime for CBRS, which unleashed 150 megahertz of commercial mid-band spectrum without the need for federal incumbents to relocate. The enhancements announced today will build on this success. We will continue to work closely with NTIA, the FCC and other stakeholders as the use cases for CBRS continue to grow, and the band sees more
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding Sen. Boozman’s Farm Bill Framework
“As Congress considers renewing the Farm Bill, it is critical that the USDA’s rural broadband program focus on closing the digital divide in communities lacking broadband and avoid grants to areas where service already exists. NCTA applauds Senator Boozman, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, on his Farm Bill Framework that targets funding to communities most in need and enhances coordination among federal agencies to prevent overbuilding. Closing the digital divide is possible, but only if we remain focused in dedicating scarce resources to fill in broadband gaps.”
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding Introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Improvement and Extension Act of 2024
“We commend Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) on the introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Improvement and Extension Act of 2024. With over 22 million American households now relying on the ACP for vital internet connectivity, continuing the program helps bridge the digital divide and the important mission of connecting every citizen to reliable high-speed internet service. ACP has been a success story and Rep. Williams’ legislation will help to ensure that it continues to receive funding.”
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding Sen. Cantwell’s Discussion Draft of the Spectrum and National Security Act
"We applaud the release of Senate Commerce Committee Chair Cantwell’s discussion draft of the Spectrum and National Security Act, legislation that will improve spectrum planning and coordination required to build a future-focused spectrum policy that supports innovation, competition and seamless connectivity. In particular, we welcome the bill’s thoughtful approach to the study of new bands that can enable commercial use through greater reliance on the development, design and implementation of coexistence technologies that support licensed and unlicensed services. The current use and
Statement of Michael Powell, President & CEO of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding the FCC’s Unnecessary and Unlawful Broadband Regulation Order
"Today’s action is the latest installment of a long-running campaign to establish FCC control of the internet. This is a politically-motivated reversal of prior law, not an exercise in evidence-based rulemaking. There is no evidence of a problem to be solved. "We have a national interest in preserving a dynamic, innovative internet. Consumers were able to work and learn from home during the pandemic because broadband providers were free to invest in and improve their networks without the drag of public utility regulation. Public utilities are notorious for chronic underinvestment and glacial
Hanser Joins NCTA’s Legal Team
Washington, D.C. – NCTA – The Internet & Television Association today announced the addition of Russ Hanser to its Legal team as Deputy Chief Legal Officer. Hanser joins NCTA from the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he served as NTIA Associate Administrator for Policy Analysis and Development, Senior Policy Advisor to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Director of Communications Policy Initiatives at NTIA. In these roles, Hanser led efforts relating to broadband subsidy programs arising from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, cybersecurity, supply chain integrity, artificial
Statement of Michael Powell, NCTA President & CEO, Regarding the American Privacy Rights Act
"In today's digital age where our lives increasingly unfold online, it's crucial that consumers have confidence that their personal data will be kept secure and used in line with reasonable expectations. We welcome the arrival of the American Privacy Rights Act, a new bipartisan privacy draft released by House and Senate Commerce Committee Chairs McMorris Rodgers and Cantwell and the efforts being made to bridge past divides that have slowed our progress. It is important that a streamlined national privacy standard balances robust consumer protections with the practical needs of the online
Statement of NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell Regarding the FCC’s April 25 Vote to Reimpose Heavy-Handed Title II Regulation on Broadband Networks
“In the absence of any harm, the FCC is barreling ahead with a backward-looking, unnecessary proposal. Its repeated legal flip-flopping has become a tiresome political ritual unmoored from congressional direction that radically upends what should be a stable regulatory environment. But this time, reimposing heavy-handed regulation will not just hobble network investment and innovation, it will also seriously jeopardize our nation’s collective efforts to build and sustain reliable broadband in rural and unserved communities. We urge the FCC to reverse course to avoid years of litigation and
Statements of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding Actions at Today’s FCC Meeting
Comment on the Section 706 Report “Today’s decision is a missed opportunity for the FCC to acknowledge the substantial and undeniable progress that has been made in deploying broadband to all Americans, and to take credit for its role in that success. “Indeed, just two days ago, the FCC’s own annual performance report stated that ‘this past year at the agency will be remembered for our progress toward [the] objective’ of ensuring 100% broadband coverage. The FCC’s decision not to recognize this progress in today’s report seems to be driven by an effort to bolster its regulatory authority more
Statement of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Regarding the Release of the Implementation Plan for the National Spectrum Strategy
“Today's release of the Implementation Plan for the National Spectrum Strategy importantly outlines a schedule and process for new work that will engage all relevant stakeholders in exploring how additional spectrum can be made available for commercial use. The cable industry is confident that a focus on innovative and pragmatic approaches to co-existence can benefit consumers and enterprises through faster access to spectrum enabled through spectrum sharing, as well as supporting the continued growth of Wi-Fi and the unlicensed economy. As this work continues, we pledge to roll up our sleeves