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CCA Testifies on Importance of Mobile Broadband Connectivity Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 13, 2020
Today, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in its hearing, “The State of Broadband Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) thanks Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and the entire Committee for holding this important hearing and urges Congress and the FCC to ensure competitive carriers can continue to provide critical connectivity to their customers as the nation moves from relief to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In testimony, Berry said, “I thank Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell and the entire Committee for holding today’s important hearing. Whether signatories of the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge or not, competitive carriers – both large and small – have gone above and beyond to keep Americans connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. CCA members are pillars of their communities, and that is just what you do for your neighbors. Their efforts come at no immediate cost to customers but can draw significant resources from the carriers. It is vital for the FCC to immediately implement the mobile provisions of the bipartisan Broadband DATA Act and use newly collected, reliable data to guide the proposed $9 billion 5G Fund program.”
“There is no question that this is a challenging time for consumers, and CCA supports the Stay Connected Voucher proposal. This technology-neutral approach empowers consumers by allowing them to determine which services are most important during this difficult time and builds on Congress’ important work in the CARES Act. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the digital divide more than ever before, and this is a critical time for connectivity, particularly for those in rural areas. I thank the Committee for holding today’s hearing; CCA stands ready to work with policymakers to ensure all Americans have access to robust mobile broadband services during these challenging times and beyond.”
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Competitive Carriers Association President and CEO Tim Donovan made the following statement on FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s recent update to Congress emphasizing the urgent need for Congress to fully fund the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Program) to prevent network failures and catastrophic service reductions and protect the security of domestic communications: “CCA thanks Chairwoman Rosenworcel for highlighting the critical need for Congress to make up the $3.08 billion shortfall in the Program’s funding. The urgency of the Chairwoman’s letter highlights the dire necessity to secure our nation's communications infrastructure and prevent network failures and service reductions impacting tens of millions of consumers. We urge Congress to seize the opportunity to include full Program funding in the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935).” ### About Competitive Carriers Association Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is the leading association for competitive wireless providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions of customers, as well as vendors and suppliers that provide products and services throughout the wireless communications ecosystem.
Washington, D.C. – Today, eight trade associations led by CCA sent a letter to Senate leadership urging inclusion of S. Amdt. 1917 to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935), offered by Senators Daines, Wicker, and Lummis. The associations urged Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to include the amendment which would immediately and fully fund the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Program) at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carriers participating in the Program cannot remove untrusted foreign communications equipment from their networks and replace it with trusted alternatives, while preventing a catastrophic loss of connectivity across America, without this funding. “Congress must provide full funding for the Program now. The situation is dire,” said Tim Donovan, CCA’s President and CEO. “This is the opportunity to fund the Program and avoid profound negative consequences to carriers and consumers across the nation. Customers of Program participants may lose connectivity entirely, tens of millions of customers that roam onto these networks will have their connectivity and access to emergency services and 9-1-1 reduced or eliminated, and Program participants may be forced to go out of business altogether. We must also ensure military bases, airports, and other areas of strategic importance remain connected. This amendment will prevent catastrophic losses in connectivity across America.” A link to the letter can be found here . An excerpt can be found below: The Program is a national security mandate created by Congress. For it to succeed, Congress must provide adequate funding immediately. While the United States has taken a leadership role internationally to mitigate the risks of untrusted communications equipment and services from companies connected to the Chinese government, work remains to eliminate that same risk in our own heartland. S. Amdt. 1917 is the solution to maintaining connectivity for millions across the United States, securing American networks from adversaries, and preserving the historic broadband investment Congress has made in rural communities. For more information about CCA and its policy priorities, please visit ccamobile.org. ### About Competitive Carriers Association Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) is the leading association for competitive wireless providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions of customers, as well as vendors and suppliers that provide products and services throughout the wireless communications ecosystem.