News
The CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association has congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
In a statement released earlier today, Shirley Bloomfield said she appreciates the work of the previous Trump administration “to help advance and sustain robust and reliable rural networks.”
Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, offered the comments in a statement released to the media addressing Trump’s victory.
“NTCA congratulates President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance on having been declared winners of this election,” Bloomfield said. “We appreciate the work done to help advance and sustain robust and reliable rural networks under President-elect Trump’s previous administration, and community-based broadband providers look forward to building upon these prior efforts and their work since then to deliver affordable and lasting connections for residents and businesses in rural America.”
The comments from Bloomfield represent some of the first reaction from industry advocates.
A critic of recent FCC decisions
Earlier this year, Bloomfield voiced concerns about the FCC’s proposed restoration of net neutrality, stating that the proposal “neglects the significant diversity and complexity of the broader online ecosystem” by homing in on last-mile retail ISPs as part of an effort to make sure subscribers in high-cost areas are not paying higher rates.
She has also previously warned that the FCC’s digital discrimination rules “must not create an uncertain environment where broadband providers will be anxious that decisions they make” will be subject to second guessing from regulators and potential penalties assessed by the FCC.
In comments yesterday, Adlane Fellah, a chief analyst for market-research firm Maravdeis, said it’s likely that Republican Brendan Carr will now end up chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“Typically, the party in power holds a 3-2 majority on the FCC, enabling it to carry out the president’s policy priorities,” Fellah said.
Currently, Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, is the chair of the FCC. The Democrats holds a 3-2 majority on the five-member commission.
Under Bloomfield’s leadership, NTCA also earlier this year joined forces with ACA Connects and the Fiber Broadband Association to urge the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to “stand its ground” when it comes to seeking broadband projects that represent “lasting success.”
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