Community-Based Telecom Providers Recognized for Delivering Gigabit Broadband

BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America, today announced at its annual Fall Conference that 23 NTCA members have been named Certified Gig-Capable Providers in the first month of a national program highlighting independent telecommunications providers delivering gigabit broadband speeds.

The 23 NTCA member companies that received certification are providing gigabit broadband speeds to communities in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. A full list of certified providers is available online.  

As Certified Gig-Capable Providers, these companies join a national campaign spearheaded by NTCA to build awareness and industry recognition of community-based telecom providers that have built communications networks capable of delivering Internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is 100 times faster than those currently available in many U.S. households. In addition to national recognition, certified providers also received tools to promote themselves as a Gig-Capable Provider in the communities they serve and will be recognized in NTCA media, on the NTCA website, and during association conferences and events.

"I applaud each one of these companies for their commitment to delivering the Internet's fastest speeds—an accomplishment worthy of much praise considering the unique and challenging circumstances small, community-based telecommunications providers operate under every day in serving some of our country's most rural and remote communities," said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. "By building a gigabit-capable network, these companies have not only overcome these challenges, but also shattered conventional benchmarks for broadband speeds to enable cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their communities, regions and nationwide."

To achieve certification, telecommunications companies must show that gigabit technology is currently commercially available within 95% of one or more exchanges within their serving territory and that such service can be provided without new trenching or stringing new aerial facilities. This statement must be confirmed by a letter from an engineering firm or other independent source involved in the company's network planning, deployment or operation.

For more information about the NTCA Gig-Capable Provider certification program, visit www.ntca.org/gigcertified.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA's members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.

Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/DC77128LOGO

SOURCE NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association