RWA advocates before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress on behalf of its members.
From Alaska to Alabama, RWA is dedicated to supporting our member companies in their efforts to extend wireless coverage to our rural communities through our innovative advocacy. Our devoted team of legal and regulatory experts ensures our carrier members have a voice in Washington.
The RWA Advocacy Team:
- Secured a 15% rural service provider bidding credit for the 600 MHz Auction, and formulated and structured the 600 MHz auction for a successful outcome by rightsizing license areas and preventing package bidding.
- Participates in the CAF Phase II proceeding to ensure wireless broadband providers are funded.
- Continues to be deeply involved in the Mobility Fund Phase II proceeding to ensure that rural wireless companies can meet both capex and opex for LTE buildout.
- Files dozens of pleadings, comments and ex partes each year covering issues that impact rural wireless carriers including Universal Service/Mobility Fund/CAF; Spectrum Auctions; Fair and Reasonable Roaming Access to Devices; Unfair Competition.
- Works to ensure that rural wireless companies secure fair and reasonable roaming agreements.
- Ensuring that the FCC fairly addresses the 700 MHz buildout rules, so the spectrum is not warehoused by licensees unwilling to build wireless networks in rural and remote areas.
RWA Disagrees with FCC on Bresnan/T-Mobile 700 MHz Waiver Decision
Washington, D.C., – The following statement can be attributed to Rural Wireless Association, Inc. (“RWA”) General Counsel, Carri Bennet: “RWA respectfully disagrees with the Commission on the point of rewarding Bresnan in this case. Bresnan [...]
Shilah Butler Joins RWA Board of Directors
The Rural Wireless Association has named Shilah Butler to its Board of Directors as a carrier member representative. Butler is Senior Manager of Affiliate Operations for Copper Valley Telecom, which provides residential and business telephone, [...]
RWA Mourns the Passing of Vanu Bose
Wireless technology pioneer, rural advocate, and humanitarian Vanu Bose passed away on November 11 of a sudden pulmonary embolism at age 52. RWA’s members, board of directors, and staff mourn this tremendously difficult loss. Bose [...]
RWA Statement on T-Mobile and Sprint Abandoning Plans for Merger
Rural consumers are breathing a sigh of relief upon news that T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile") and Sprint Corp. ("Sprint") have walked away from a potential merger. Six years ago, RWA stood on the right side [...]