​​​​​​​​On September 8, NRECA submitted comments to the FCC in response to its annual inquiry into whether “advanced telecommunications capabilities are being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion” as required by Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This yearly review lays the groundwork for future FCC decisions and guides regulatory action.​​​

Key recommendations to FCC:​​

• The Commission should continue to be forward-looking in its long-term broadband objectives and retain the goal of 1 Gbps/500 Mbps.

• The Commission should adopt a symmetrical fixed broadband benchmark of 100 Mbps/100 Mbps.

• The Commission should report data on symmetrical speeds, even if not yet adopted as a market benchmark.

• The Commission should report data on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite subscribership, but must develop the record more fully before concluding that LEO service provides “advanced telecommunication capability."

• Mobile service is complementary to fixed broadband service, not a substitute.

• The Commission should more clearly recognize that rurality is a main factor in broadband availability.​