NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association released the following statement from CEO Mike Romano regarding the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the future of the high cost Universal Service Fund (USF) program and Third Report and Order modernizing the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS):

"NTCA and our members have long welcomed a thoughtful dialogue on how to fulfill the statutory mission of universal service, and we appreciate the Commission's acknowledgment of the critical role USF plays in supporting connectivity in rural America. As the Commission opens this important inquiry and considers how to modernize these initiatives, it is crucial that USF continues to support robust broadband networks that rural Americans rely upon for high-speed, reliable, and secure connectivity at prices they can afford. These networks form the backbone of our online economy in a competitive global marketplace, and they must be capable of meeting demands over time as we enter an era where AI, advanced wireless backhaul, precision agriculture, and other cutting-edge applications will become the new normal for users of all kinds. We look forward to working with the Commission to ensure that support remains predictable and sufficient, and we encourage the agency to continue to work closely with Congress as it considers any potential reforms."

"NTCA also applauds the Commission's DIRS modernization, which eliminates certain time-consuming reporting requirements that do not enhance public safety officials' awareness of outages during and immediately following a disaster. The Commission's actions go a long way toward allowing NTCA members to spend less time on reporting and more time on restoration."