The National Grange Announces Support for FCC Efforts on Telecom Reform

The National Grange Announces Support for FCC Efforts on Telecom Reform

WASHINGTON, March 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Grange today endorsed the progressive steps taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 5, 2007 to facilitate open competition in this country's video franchise markets. National Grange President Bill Steel said that the new regulations issued by the FCC to streamline the local video franchise process were "bold, necessary and beneficial to the interests of rural consumers," and would "ensure that consumers will eventually be free of cable monopolies and have access to program choice, lower rates and better technology." The National Grange expressed appreciation to the FCC for its efforts and congratulated Chairman Martin for his leadership on this issue.

The National Grange is the nation's oldest national agriculture and rural public interest organization, with grassroots chapters located in 2,700 local, rural communities in 37 states. Originally founded 140 years ago in 1867, today the National Grange represents the concerns of its members living in agriculture and rural areas to policy makers on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America

National Grange Legislative Director Leroy Watson noted: "The Commission closely followed the recommendations filed by the National Grange in drafting these regulations, including recommendations to specifically craft this order in a way that would assist smaller rural jurisdictions that currently lack video franchises to begin exploring the possibility of issuing video franchises for the first time. The Grange pledges to work with the Commission and the Congress on the important issues of video competition, as well as cable and broadband deployment in rural areas of the country. The Grange believes that it is only through progressive and innovative policies like those put forth by the FCC in these regulations, that accessible and affordable video and broadband service can be provided to every American, regardless of their geographic location or any other factor that currently restricts the deployment of these services."

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Source: National Grange

CONTACT: Leroy Watson of the National Grange, +1-202-628-3507 ext 114,
lwatson@nationalgrange.org

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