NTCA commended the Rural Spectrum Accessibility Act, S-1776,...

NTCA commended the Rural Spectrum Accessibility Act, S-1776, while slamming the wireless market as “consolidated” and backing spectrum licenses based on small geographic areas. That “would allow smaller carriers like those in NTCA’s membership to bid only for the territory they are interested in serving and ensure rural areas are not ignored when it comes time to deploy services,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield in a statement Wednesday. Two carriers are now “holding 78% of the country’s low-frequency, broadband-capable spectrum and accounting for more than 80% of wireless industry revenues,” Bloomfield said. The bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee before the Thanksgiving recess.