NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association has announced a gigabit certification program for its rural telco members, reminding us that rural telcos have made substantial progress in deploying gigabit services.
“By becoming a Certified Gig-Capable Provider with NTCA, you will join a national campaign to celebrate rural networks that support gigabit speeds and help us show the world how independent telecom providers are delivering the Internet of tomorrow – today,” wrote the NTCA on its website.
Gig Certified Requirements
Companies that receive certification will be allowed to use NTCA’s “Gig Certified” logo on their marketing materials and will be recognized in NTCA media, on the NTCA website and during association conferences and events.
Certification will be on an exchange-by-exchange basis, and a third-party engineering firm will need to provide a letter confirming that a service provider can deliver gigabit service to at least 95% of the locations in each exchange for which it is requesting certification. Applicants also must be NTCA members and must pay a $250 fee each time they submit an application.
This isn’t the first time NTCA has created a certification program. A few years ago the association created a “Smart Rural Community” certification program that recognizes communities that have taken certain steps toward becoming “smart” communities such as fostering innovative economic development and first-rate education, health care, and government services.
