WASHINGTON, May 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Utilities Technology Council (UTC) and the Rural Broadband Council (RBC) applaud the FCC's adoption of the initial framework for the Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF Phase II) auction, which will enable utilities to access funding to deploy future-proof, robust, affordable and reliable broadband services for rural America. The framework identifies latency and usage allowances, as well as speed, as criteria for evaluating prospective bids to provide broadband to unserved areas. UTC and the RBC believe that it is important to use these criteria and to set metrics that will promote the deployment of broadband services, which are "reasonably comparable" to the quality and price of services that are available in urban areas. UTC looks forward to working with the FCC to develop the rules for the CAF Phase II auction, including the rules for the allocation of funding in and among the census blocks in unserved areas.
For more information about UTC and the CAF Phase II, contact Brett.Kilbourne@utc.org
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. www.UTC.org
About RBC
The Rural Broadband Council (RBC) is an independent operating unit of the UTC, which serves to promote opportunities for utilities to provide broadband. The RBC advocates at the FCC and other federal and state agencies for utility access to funding for rural broadband and for policies that enable utilities to provide broadband services. Utilities around the country and around the world are deploying future-proof broadband networks to unserved areas, and they are offering robust, affordable and reliable broadband services to consumers. The RBC works on behalf of utilities to promote a favorable regulatory, business, and technical environment to help them succeed.