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Top Washington, D.C., Officials To Address ACA Summit
[March 21, 2017]

Top Washington, D.C., Officials To Address ACA Summit


The American Cable Association's Washington, D.C., Summit, which kicks off on March 29, will draw some of the biggest names in communications law and policy, underscoring policymakers' continuing interest in supporting the future of smaller broadband providers that serve thousands of rural locations as well as many urban areas to expand choice beyond a large incumbent.

"ACA members are leaders in deploying high-speed broadband Internet services in many areas of the country, especially some of the hardest-to-serve rural and remote regions. I am confident that government-driven efforts to close the digital divide, resulting in ubiquitous and affordable broadband for all Americans, will require the expertise and involvement of the independent cable community," ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.

Confirmed ACA Summit speakers include:

  • Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai. He is scheduled to speak Thursday, March 30, at 8 a.m., ahead of ACA's messaging day on Capitol Hill.
  • Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). She is scheduled to speak Wednesday, March 29, at 8:30 a.m.
  • Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.). He is scheduled to speak Wednesday, March 29, at 10 a.m.
  • House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.). She is scheduled to speak Wednesday, March 29, at Noon; and
  • FCC (News - Alert) Commissioner Michael O'Rielly. He is scheduled to speak Wednesday, Marh 29, at 1:15 p.m.



ACA members support government initiatives that assist the private sector in sparking innovation and job creation. Smaller Internet access providers in particular are looking to Washington, D.C., leaders to remove heavy-handed regulation under Title II of the Communications Act. Movement in that direction has already begun with the introduction of bills and resolutions in Congress. At the FCC, regulators have temporarily stayed data privacy regulations and voted to shield smaller ISPs from costly enhanced transparency requirements.

The ACA Summit is a unique event where small and mid-sized cable operators serving hometown America connect with the leading lawmakers and regulators as well as media representatives on the communications policy beat in Washington, D.C. This year's edition coincides with the start of a new Congress and a new President in the White House, with both focused on ways to reduce regulatory burdens on communications providers and other businesses.


The ACA Summit website includes event details and secure online registration. Please visit the ACA Summit 2017 website by clicking here: ACA Summit. The event will take place at the Grand Hyatt, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. This year's Summit is ACA's 24th annual "fly-in" to Washington with its members and, as such, will use the hashtag #Summit24 for all social media about the event.

ACA's more than 750 independent cable operators play a unique role in providing best-in-class communications services to millions of consumers, many living and working in rural areas of the country. Created in the early 1990s, the ACA Summit gives independent cable operators a vehicle for framing the diverse and complex issues in their own words during dozens of meetings on Capitol Hill and with regulators at the FCC.

About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 750 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for nearly 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA's members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit http://www.americancable.org/


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