USCA Pushes for Broadband Access and Adoption

USCA (October 20, 2009) – In a recent letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on new net neutrality recommendations, the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) outlined benefits that broadband technology affords individuals living in rural America.

“The benefits that broadband technology affords Americans are especially valuable to those living in rural areas. Agriculture producers rely on broadband technology to make critical decisions based on real-time market data. Broadband creates opportunities for telemedicine, telework, and distance learning. These applications connect rural Americans to important resources, while eliminating inconvenient travel time and costs,” stated the letter.

“Equitable access and adoption of broadband should be the FCC’s main objective,” noted USCA. “The Commission must develop a National Broadband Plan that promotes universal broadband deployment and adoption, rather than pursuing policies that could detract from this goal.”

A recent paper written by the Phoenix Center titled, Expanding the Digital Divide: Network Management Regulations and the Size of Providers, echoed many of these concerns. This paper discusses the goal of the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, which has the goal of providing all Americans with access to affordable broadband services, “particularly those Americans living in rural markets where demand and cost conditions do not favor network deployment.”

The Phoenix Center concludes that smaller network providers are “more substantially harmed by network management regulation [net neutrality regulation] that larger, more urban providers are.”

The U.S. Cattleman’s Association believes that the Commission should develop a National Broadband Plan that promotes universal broadband employment and adoption, rather than pursuing net neutrality policies that could detract from that goal.

In closing the letter urged the Commission to allow all Americans, even those living in remote areas, to experience the life-changing opportunities that a broadband connection enables.

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.