FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON - A group of the nation's leading technology associations sent a joint letter to Congressional leadership urging the passage of two crucial pieces of legislation that will help connect families in unserved areas to high-speed broadband internet.
 
"Nearly two trillion dollars in private investment over the past generation has made broadband service available in 95% of American communities. But gaps remain in parts of rural America, and many of TECNA's member councils have been working closely with government and business leaders developing plans to help bring broadband infrastructure to unserved communities," said Ryan Weber, Chair of TECNA and President and CEO of the KC Tech Council. "Over the past few months, the Coronavirus pandemic has further highlighted the importance of broadband access for all Americans. We must make internet connectivity a top priority."
 
"We are grateful for these efforts in Congress to speed broadband deployment and encourage greater competition in federal broadband programs. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass these important bills," continued Weber.
 
The Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Development Act (H.R. 7160), was introduced by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.); and the bipartisan Rural Broadband Acceleration Act (H.R.7447, S.4201) was introduced by U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). Both will take critical steps to speed rural deployment of broadband. 
 
The Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Development Act would expedite broadband deployment by cutting outdated, exclusionary regulations. Written two decades ago in the days of dial-up modems, these regulations now invite abuse, slow deployment and discourage competition. 
 
The Rural Broadband Acceleration Act would accelerate the deployment of gigabit tier networks in the upcoming $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) for builders starting construction within six months of receiving funding. And it sets a bold goal of providing broadband service to target communities within a year. This could quickly move a number of shovel ready projects into full production.  This bill recognizes the urgency of closing broadband deployment gaps: the stakes are too high to wait any longer.
 
The letter was signed by the leaders of the following associations: 
Alabama
 Tech Birmingham
Arizona
 Arizona Technology Council (AZTC)
California
 California Technology Council (CTC)
 Tech San Diego
Colorado
 Colorado Technology Association (CTA)
Connecticut
 Connecticut Technology Council (CTC)
Florida
 Florida Technology Council
 Palm Beach Tech Association
 Tamp Bay Tech
 TechLauderdale 
Georgia
 Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
 Computer Measurement Group (CMG)
Idaho
 Idaho Tech Council (ITC)
Illinois
 Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
 1871
Indiana
 Indiana Technology & Innovation Association
 TechPoint
Iowa
 Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)
Kansas
 FlagshipKansas.Tech
 KC Tech Council
Kentucky
 Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky (TALK)
Missouri
 KC Tech Council
Massachusetts
 Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC)
Maryland
 Maryland Tech Council (MTC)
Minnesota
 MnTech
Montana
 Montana High-Tech Business Alliance
New Hampshire
 NH Tech Alliance
New Jersey
 New Jersey Tech Council (NJTC)
New York
 Tech Rochester
Nevada
 Nevada Technology Association
New Mexico
 New Mexico Technology Council (NMTC)
North Carolina
 North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH)
North Dakota
 Technology Council of North Dakota
Ohio
 GCP Tech
 Ohio IT Association
Oregon
 Technology Association of Oregon (TAO)
Pennsylvania
 Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)
 Pittsburgh Technology Council
 Tech Council of Central Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
 Tech Collective
South Carolina
 Tech Association of South Carolina
Tennessee
 Chattanooga Technology Council
 Greater Nashville Technology Council
 Knoxville Technology Council
Texas
 Tech Titans
Utah
 Utah Technology Council
Virginia
 Northern Virginia Technology Council
 Roanoake-Blacksburg Technology Council
Washington
 Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA)
Wisconsin
 Wisconsin Technology Council
 
A copy of the letter sent to Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, House Minority Leader McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Schumer can be found here.



 
About the Technology Councils of North America
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) represents approximately 60 IT and Technology trade organizations that, in turn, represent more than 22,000 technology-related companies in North America. TECNA serves its members and the industry through its strong peer-to-peer network and its regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of the technology industry. This is accomplished by empowering regional technology organizations and serving as their collective voice in growing the North American technology economy. More information on TECNA can be found at: www.tecna.org or @techcouncils on Twitter.
 
 
Contact:
Alina Hardy
ahardy@tecna.org