House Working Group Aims To Clarify Rural Issues

The Rural Telecommunications Working Group, a bipartisan offshoot of House Energy and Commerce Committee members put together by co-chairs Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Bob Latta (R-Ohio), will provide focused information to committee members with unique rural concerns, including call completion, spectrum auctions, broadband access and broadband speed. Commented American Cable Association President/CEO Matthew M. Polka, “Matters important to cable operators in rural areas that are deserving of the group’s attention include the implementation of the Connect America Fund to fund broadband in high-cost areas; the lack of access to middle mile infrastructure at reasonable rates; difficulties in obtaining access to pole attachments at reasonable costs; and expeditious access to rights of way on fair terms and conditions.” Other members of the working group include John Barrow (D-Ga.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.),  Lois Capps (D-Calif.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Corey Gardner (R-Colo.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).