On Friday, July 3, 2014, the National League of Cities (NLC), the National Association of Counties (NACO) and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) commended FCC Chairman Wheeler’s commitment to local internet choice, and emphasized their support for his efforts to remove barriers to municipal broadband networks:
“We write today to support your efforts to eliminate barriers to municipal broadband networks and ensure that our local communities have options to address their broadband needs.”
Underscoring to Chairman Wheeler that internet choice at the local level has never been more imperative, the Executive Directors describe how cities and counties are intimately involved in the public safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure and employment needs of their diverse citizens on a daily basis, and how having their hand on this local pulse has created “innovative partnerships,” including with private sector companies, to meet these diverse local needs.
“As such, Local governments should have the flexibility to address broadband and internet access in a way that meets the needs of the people they serve….local creativity and local authority is a viable means by which new next-generation broadband infrastructure can emerge.”
The Associations praised Chairman Wheeler for his leadership, and efforts to ensure that no entity is held back from our country’s efforts to build 21st Century broadband infrastructure:
“…our groups stand ready to assist in your efforts as you move forward with eliminating barriers to municipal broadband networks.”
The full text of the letter can be found here.