09 Jun Utilities Applaud FCC Broadband Funding, Encourage Strong Oversight of Program
Washington—June 9, 2020—The Utilities Technology Council issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC, the Commission) approved the bidding rules for the first phase of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction:
“Electric utilities across the U.S. empower broadband deployment, especially as hundreds of rural electric cooperatives are poised to participate in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction to bring robust, affordable and reliable broadband services to unserved and underserved communities. The Utilities Technology Council looks forward to reviewing the Federal Communications Commission’s public notice and appreciates its decision today finalizing the bidding rules for the first phase of the RDOF auction. As we await the final text of the order, we hope the order will ensure that the RDOF funding be carefully awarded to entities deploying technologies that have historically proven to be able to provide reliable high-speed broadband. We must invest in future-proof broadband for America. Broadband is increasingly becoming an essential service. It is therefore critical that the FCC provide strong oversight mechanisms to ensure the federal funds being dispersed go to those entities that are able to meet the high standards under the order. While we understand broadband services can be provided in numerous ways, we hope the final order puts in place appropriate oversight and penalties to discourage bidders from defrauding the government and depriving consumers of the quality of services they promised to provide.”
–Brett Kilbourne, UTC General Counsel and Vice President of Policy
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About UTC
The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) is a global trade association dedicated to serving critical infrastructure providers. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, UTC creates a favorable business, regulatory and technology environment for our members who own or operate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems in support of their core business. For more information: UTC.org
