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 Statement on T-Mobile and Sprint Abandoning Plans for Merger
Washington, D.C., November 6, 2017 - The following statement may be attributed to Carri Bennet, the Rural Wireless Association's ("RWA") General Counsel: Rural consumers are breathing a sigh of relief upon news that T-Mobile USA, [...]
40 Mobile Operators Band Together to Enhance Reliability, Resiliency and Scalability for Independent Carriers
Fort Worth, TX - October 24, 2017 - NewCore Wireless, RINA Wireless, Central LTE Holdings, STRATA Networks, West Central Wireless and Trilogy Networks today announced a working relationship of technology leaders who are collaborating to [...]
RWA Joins Broadband Access Coalition
Washington, D.C., – The Rural Wireless Association has joined the Broadband Access Coalition, a group of 30+ broadband providers, technology companies, trade associations, and non-profit public advocacy groups working to close the digital divide by [...]
RWA’s President and CEO Sets the Record Straight Concerning Controversial Verizon “Break Up” Letters Sent to Rural Montanans
Helena, Montana – On Friday, September 29, Mike Kilgore, incoming President and CEO of the Rural Wireless Association, provided clarifying details to the Montana Legislature’s Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee demonstrating that Verizon, and Verizon [...]