Green Hills Companies’ Officials Meet With Congressional Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2016) – Philip Griffith, a member of Green Hills Companies’ Board of Directors, met with the offices of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) in Washington, D.C., last month to discuss the importance of Universal Service Fund (USF) support for broadband-capable networks for the benefit of consumers and businesses in Central Missouri.
USF support is what makes it possible for rural communities to have access to quality voice and broadband services at prices comparable to those in urban areas. Griffith emphasized the importance of consumer choice, expressing their appreciation for recent changes to the USF program that could move closer to allowing rural consumers to obtain more affordable standalone broadband services.
Griffith thanked the Representatives and Senators for their support of standalone broadband measures over the years, but encouraged them to continue to monitor the implementation of these reforms. In particular, Green Hills noted that the recent changes to the USF program will only be successful if they are sufficiently funded, so that the prices rural consumers and businesses pay for voice and broadband services will in fact be comparable to those in urban areas. Griffith also explained that other changes included with the reforms could provide some much-needed regulatory certainty over time, but the way in which these other changes are implemented will be important to watch. Green Hills urged the congressional leadership to remain engaged on these essential issues, and to offer assistance where needed to make sure these USF reforms serve the ultimate goals of enabling sustainable investment in rural networks and providing quality, affordable services to rural customers.
Griffith was in Washington to participate in NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association’s Legislative & Policy Conference, April 17–19. Nearly 500 rural telecom representatives from all over the country gathered in the nation’s capital for educational briefings about emerging rules and regulations and other industry issues. He also took part in visits to policymakers on Capitol Hill and the FCC.
About Green Hills Companies
Green Hills Companies provides advanced communications services, including Internet, voice and video, to seventeen communities in central Missouri. Green Hills currently serves: Avalon, Bogard, Braymer, Breckenridge, Chillicothe, Cowgill, Dawn, Kingston, Knoxville, Lock Springs, Ludlow, Mooresville, Norborne, Polo, Stet, Tina, and Wheeling. The Breckenridge, Missouri-based company has been providing the latest in communications to the area since 1952. www.greenhills.net
