2022-08-29T12:07:18-05:00 2021-12-31 251408703 SCHNEIDER DOWNS & CO INC ONE PPG PLACE SUITE 1700 PITTSBURGH PA 15222 990 2021-01-01 943180176 AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION INC AMER 4129228300 875 GREENTREE RD 7 PKWY CTR 755 PITTSBURGH PA 15220 JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM EVP & COO 4129228300 2022-08-29 1 JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM 999009999 MELANIE PANTALONE P01614571 4122613644 3 AAL1 IAL1 2021 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z ACA CONNECTS AMERICAS COMM ASSOC MATTHEW M POLKA 875 GREENTREE RD 7 PKWY CTR 755 PITTSBURGH PA 15220 5713721 0 X WWW.ACACONNECTS.ORG X 1993 PA SEE SCHEDULE O 19 19 13 24 0 0 0 214426 5220447 5472831 33509 26464 0 0 5253956 5713721 0 0 0 0 2251747 2442205 0 0 0 2776563 2227581 5028310 4669786 225646 1043935 2832677 3795873 385892 328333 2446785 3467540 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 SEE SCHEDULE O 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 27 0 1 13 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 19 19 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 X JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM 4129228300 875 GREENTREE ROAD 7 PARKWAY CENTER PITTSBURGH PA 15220 X MATTHEW M POLKA PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X 478583 0 50671 ROSS J LIEBERMAN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 X 291290 0 35871 BRIAN D HURLEY VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 X 223724 0 14794 EDWARD T HEARN VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 X 166478 0 32187 JOHN M HIGGINBOTHAM EVP & COO 40.00 X 243182 0 11786 MICHAEL J JACOBS VICE PRESIDENT 40.00 X 209999 0 14592 KAREN D YOCHUM - SR DIR OF ADMIN & FINANCE 40.00 X 112357 0 41222 SHAWN BEQAJ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DIANA BLOCK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LESLIE BROWN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARIE CENSOPLANO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN CINELLI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MATT DOSCH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CARLA FRAMIL FERRAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATHY FORD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN GDOVIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JIM GLEASON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVE HEIMBACH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID HYMAS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KRISTIN JOHNSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TOM LARSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW PETERSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATTY BOYERS CHAIRMAN 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MIKE BOWKER VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN BARRETT SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT WIEAND TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 1725613 0 201123 7 0 1 0 THE ALPINE GROUP 660 PA AVENUE SUITE 201 WASHINGTON DC 20003 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONSULTING 481302 KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP 101 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10178 FCC CONSULTING/LEGAL 416730 CARTESIAN PO BOX 840267 DALLAS TX 752840267 FCC CONSULTING/LEGAL 365426 CROSSCUT STRATEGIES LLC 1200 18TH STREET NW SUITE 7TH FL WASHINGTON DC 20036 PUBLIC RELATIONS 182628 4 214426 214426 MEMBER DUES 900099 5398956 5398956 ADVERTISEMENT 541800 73875 73875 5472831 26464 26464 5713721 5472831 0 26464 1773155 405580 110575 96173 56722 511468 25751 481302 307931 11500 41812 59654 77718 47546 63467 6042 10697 POLICY SUPPORT 563146 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS 8304 11243 4669786 467211 1145474 175136 675447 1205909 980291 156865 143544 6055 13321 978366 981340 2832677 3795873 365892 307458 20000 20875 385892 328333 X 2446785 3467540 2446785 3467540 2832677 3795873 1043935 -23180 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 5398956 492528 492528 651764 -159236 110250 101355 8895 46615 42189 4426 13321 X 5750541 -23180 -23180 5773721 -60000 -60000 5713721 4729786 0 4729786 -60000 -60000 4669786 PART X, LINE 2: FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THE ASSOCIATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(6) OF THE IRC AND IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS RECORDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ASSOCIATION'S POLICY IS TO ACCRUE INTEREST AND PENALTIES RELATED TO UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE, IF ANY, AS A COMPONENT OF OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS REQUIRING AN ACCRUAL OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE STATUTORY TAX YEARS 2018, 2019 AND 2020 REMAIN OPEN TO EXAMINATION. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT -60,000. PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT -60,000. X X X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW M POLKA PRESIDENT & CEO 429118 0 32569 0 16896 0 14357 0 36314 0 529254 0 0 0 ROSS J LIEBERMAN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT 251961 0 25425 0 13904 0 8739 0 27132 0 327161 0 0 0 BRIAN D HURLEY VICE PRESIDENT 193712 0 19570 0 10442 0 6712 0 8082 0 238518 0 0 0 EDWARD T HEARN VICE PRESIDENT 133342 0 15759 0 17377 0 4994 0 27193 0 198665 0 0 0 JOHN M HIGGINBOTHAM EVP & COO 218358 0 16869 0 7955 0 7198 0 4588 0 254968 0 0 0 MICHAEL J JACOBS VICE PRESIDENT 178050 0 15417 0 16532 0 6300 0 8292 0 224591 0 0 0 KAREN D YOCHUM - SR DIR OF ADMIN & FINANCE 84970 0 10629 0 16758 0 3371 0 37851 0 153579 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ACA CONNECTS) PURPOSE SHALL BE THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA CONNECTS ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL, INDUSTRY INFORMATION AND EDUCATION TO ITS MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: THE AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ACA CONNECTS) PURPOSE SHALL BE THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTERESTS AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. ACA CONNECTS ALSO PROVIDES REGULATORY, TECHNICAL, INDUSTRY INFORMATION AND EDUCATION TO ITS MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: ACA CONNECTS KEY DEVELOPMENTS 2021 ACA CONNECTS COMMENDS CONGRESS FOR APPROVING FUNDS TO HELP AMERICANS MAINTAIN BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY DURING COVID-19 CRISIS PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER 21, 2020 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE NEW BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION BY CONGRESS DESIGNED TO HELP MILLIONS OF AMERICANS RECOVER FROM THE COVID-19 CRISIS BY FACILITATING ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE, AMONG OTHER THINGS: "THE COVID EMERGENCY HAS HIGHLIGHTED BOTH THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY AND THAT ALL AMERICANS MUST HAVE ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICE DURING THE EMERGENCY AND BEYOND. "IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT ACA CONNECTS URGED CONGRESS IN THE COVID EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO DIRECT SUPPORT TO HELP IN-NEED INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN SUCH CONNECTIVITY, AND WE COMMEND CONGRESS FOR ADOPTING THIS APPROACH. "BY PROVIDING $3.2 BILLION IN DIRECT SUPPORT FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AS WELL NEW STIMULUS CHECKS AND ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, CONGRESS WILL HELP AMERICANS STAY CONNECTED FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD TO THE RELIABLE, ROBUST BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY THAT ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS AND OTHERS PROVIDE. "THIS NEW FUNDING CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ONGOING EFFORTS OF OUR MEMBERS SINCE THE START OF THE EMERGENCY TO CONNECT, AND KEEP CONNECTED, EVERYONE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. BUT IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE FCC IMPLEMENTS THE LAW BY ADOPTING RULES THAT FACILITATE PARTICIPATION BY THESE SMALLER BROADBAND PROVIDERS, WHO TODAY PROVIDE SERVICE TO SOME 10 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS IN MORE RURAL AREAS, MANY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN SEVERELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID EMERGENCY. "ACA CONNECTS LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE FCC TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL." ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS FCC FOR TAKING INITIAL ACTION TO ADDRESS UNREASONABLE POLE REPLACEMENT FEES FROM INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES PITTSBURGH, JANUARY 19, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT THANKING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FOR ISSUING A RULING ON POLE REPLACEMENT PRACTICES THAT SHOULD HELP SPEED BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT: "ACA CONNECTS COMMENDS THE FCC'S WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU FOR ISSUING A DECLARATORY RULING THAT BEGINS TO CLARIFY THE OBLIGATIONS OF INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES, WHO ARE SUBJECT TO THE FEDERAL POLE ATTACHMENT STATUTE, TO ALLOCATE POLE REPLACEMENT COSTS IN A JUST AND REASONABLE MANNER. THE BUREAU APPROPRIATELY RULED THAT INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES MAY NOT CHARGE NEW ATTACHERS FOR POLE REPLACEMENTS IF THEY ARE NOT THE SOLE CAUSE FOR THE POLE REPLACEMENT. "THE RECORD IS CLEAR THAT POLE OWNERS ROUTINELY REQUIRE ATTACHING PARTIES TO BEAR THE FULL COSTS OF REPLACING THEIR POLES, EVEN WHEN A NEW ATTACHER IS NOT THE SOLE CAUSE OF THAT ACTION. "THIS PRACTICE NOT ONLY CONTRAVENES THE STATUTE, BUT ALSO IMPEDES BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS WHERE MANY POLES HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USEFUL LIFE AND ARE LONG OVERDUE FOR REPLACEMENT. ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT REGARDING THE FCC ESTABLISHING THE DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY DATA COLLECTION ORDER PITTSBURGH, JANUARY 19, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY DATA COLLECTION ORDER: "AS CONGRESS RIGHTFULLY REQUIRED, THE FCC TODAY TOOK ANOTHER STEP TOWARD COLLECTING MORE ACCURATE AND GRANULAR BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT DATA. THESE NEW COLLECTION AND VERIFICATION PROCESSES, WHILE NECESSARY IN MANY INSTANCES, ARE UNFORTUNATELY CERTAIN TO PLACE SUBSTANTIAL BURDENS ON SMALLER BROADBAND PROVIDERS. "ACA CONNECTS APPRECIATES THE FCC'S CONSIDERATION OF OUR GROUP'S CONCERNS IN ITS DECISION AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE FCC AS IT IMPLEMENTS THE ORDER AND OUR MEMBERS COMPLY WITH ITS NEW OBLIGATIONS." ACA CONNECTS CONGRATULATES NEW ACTING FCC CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL PITTSBURGH, JANUARY 21, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S DESIGNATION OF JESSICA ROSENWORCEL AS ACTING CHAIRWOMAN OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: "ACA CONNECTS CONGRATULATES JESSICA ROSENWORCEL ON THIS WELL-DESERVED PROMOTION TO ACTING CHAIRWOMAN OF THE FCC, AN AGENCY THAT PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT ALL AMERICANS HAVE ACCESS TO ROBUST, RELIABLE, AND SECURE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES. "OVER THE YEARS, ACA CONNECTS HAS ENJOYED WORKING CLOSELY WITH ACTING CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL IN HER TENURE AS FCC COMMISSIONER ON THE KEY ISSUES RELEVANT TO INDEPENDENT VIDEO AND BROADBAND PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY ON POLICIES DESIGNED TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN RURAL AMERICA. "ACA CONNECTS LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR DIALOGUE WITH ACTING CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL AND WORKING TOGETHER ON POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE GREATER ADOPTION OF BROADBAND SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND AND PROMOTE GREATER INVESTMENT IN EXPANDING THE REACH OF BROADBAND NETWORKS TO UNSERVED AREAS." ACA CONNECTS URGES FCC TO ADOPT RULES FOR EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM THAT MAXIMIZE ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS' CHOICE OF SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM THE VERY START PITTSBURGH, JANUARY 26, 2021 THE $3.2 BILLION EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM MUST ENSURE THAT ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE SUFFICIENT BROADBAND OPTIONS AVAILABLE WHEN THE PROGRAM STARTS, INCLUDING ROBUST WIRELINE OPTIONS THAT CAN SUPPORT THE FULL RANGE OF CONNECTIVITY NEEDS BROUGHT ON BY COVID-19. TO PROVIDE SUCH CHOICE, THE FCC MUST COMMIT ITSELF TO THIS GOAL AND TAKE STEPS NECESSARY TO MINIMIZE THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR PROVIDERS OF RELIABLE, ROBUST BROADBAND SERVICE THAT ARE NOT CURRENT OR ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE AGENCY'S OWN LIFELINE PROGRAM. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS CAME IN COMMENTS ACA CONNECTS FILED MONDAY IN RESPONSE TO AN FCC WIRELINE BUREAU PUBLIC NOTICE ON THE NEW PROGRAM, WHICH WAS CREATED BY THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2021. "THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP AMERICANS WHO ARE SUFFERING HARDSHIP DURING COVID-19. MANY ARE HAVING TROUBLE AFFORDING THE LEVEL OF BROADBAND ACCESS THAT THEY NEED FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THIS PROGRAM CAN CONNECT EACH ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD WITH A BROADBAND OFFERING THAT MEETS ITS NEEDS," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "TO ACHIEVE THAT OUTCOME, THE FCC MUST PRESENT HOUSEHOLDS WITH A RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR THEIR BENEFIT, AND THAT MEANS CREATING A STREAMLINED PROCESS THAT ENCOURAGES SERVICE PROVIDERS OF ALL TYPES TO JOIN THE PROGRAM."IN ITS COMMENTS, ACA CONNECTS FOCUSED ON WAYS THE FCC CAN MAXIMIZE PARTICIPATION FROM PROVIDERS, AND WITH IT, CONSUMER CHOICE. THE TRADE ASSOCIATION STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING A COMMON START DATE ON WHICH ALL PROVIDERS CAN BEGIN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS PROMPT PASSAGE OF NEW ESHOO-MARKEY BROADBAND PLAN BILL PITTSBURGH, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE ACT SPONSORED BY REP. ANNA G. ESHOO (D-CALIF.) AND SEN. EDWARD J. MARKEY (D-MASS.): "ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS REP. ESHOO AND SEN. MARKEY FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO UPDATE THE 2010 NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN. GOVERNMENT IS AT ITS BEST WHEN IT LOOKS AHEAD AT THE LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS CITIZENS, IDENTIFIES SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS, AND DEVELOPS SERIOUS SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. "WITH SO MANY WORKING, LEARNING, AND SOCIALIZING ONLINE FOR THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT OUR NATION'S BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IS ROBUST, BUT THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER. WE NEED TO UPDATE OUR UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAMS TO CONNECT EVERYONE AND MAXIMIZE USE OF LIMITED FUNDS. "WE NEED TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO EXPEDITE DEPLOYMENTS. WE NEED TO STREAMLINE OUTDATED REGULATIONS AND THINK TWICE ABOUT IMPOSING NEW ONES. ACA CONNECTS IS CONFIDENT THAT THE OUTCOME OF THIS PROCESS WILL SET A PRODUCTIVE PATH FORWARD FOR THE NATION. ACA CONNECTS URGES QUICK PASSAGE OF THIS BILL." ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS CONGRATULATES SEN. MARIA CANTWELL ON HER HISTORIC SELECTION AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO CHAIR THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE PITTSBURGH, FEB. 15, 2021 ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS, WHO IS PRESIDENT OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO., ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE SELECTION OF SEN. MARIA CANTWELL (D-WASH.) AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO CHAIR THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE: "ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US AT ACA CONNECTS AND FROM HERE IN THE BOOT HEEL OF RURAL MISSOURI, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE AND WELCOME SEN. MARIA CANTWELL AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO CHAIR THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE. "IT IS INDEED A GREAT PRIVILEGE FOR US TO WORK WITH YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU LEADER-TO-LEADER ON IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES THAT TRULY UNITE OUR COUNTRY. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: "WHETHER MISSOURI OR WASHINGTON, WE ARE CONNECTED IN SO MANY WAYS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF FAMILIES, STUDENTS, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. CHAIRWOMAN CANTWELL, WE ARE COMMITTED AT ACA CONNECTS TO SERVE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, AND YOU CAN COUNT ON OUR AND MY PRODUCTIVE AND STRAIGHT-FORWARD VOICE TO HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!" ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA COMMENTED: "IN SEN. CANTWELL'S HOME STATE, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK IN COMMUNITIES IN THE INTERSTATE-90 CORRIDOR BETWEEN SEATTLE AND SPOKANE, AND THEY NEED QUALITY BROADBAND. WE HAVE MEMBERS INVESTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO IMPROVE BROADBAND NETWORKS ACROSS WASHINGTON. THE COMMITMENT TO DELIVERING HIGH-PERFORMANCE INTERNET SERVICE WILL SUPPORT AMERICAN ADULTS WHO ARE INCREASINGLY WORKING FROM HOME AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE TAKING CLASSES ONLINE AND DOING SO MUCH MORE ENABLED BY BROADBAND." ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS FCC'S EFFORT TO USE THE E-RATE PROGRAM TO FACILITATE ONLINE CLASSROOM LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS URGES AGENCY TO USE EXISTING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOME BROADBAND TO IN-NEED STUDENTS UNABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN PERSON PITTSBURGH, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 ACA CONNECTS CALLED ON THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO USE E-RATE FUNDS PROMPTLY TO ADOPT A TARGETED REMOTE LEARNING PROGRAM FOR IN-NEED STUDENTS DURING THE COVID EMERGENCY. ACA CONNECTS IN ITS FEB.16 COMMENTS FILED IN RESPONSE TO THE FCC'S FEB. 1 PUBLIC NOTICE EXPLAINED THAT SUCH A PROGRAM IS CRITICAL BECAUSE SO MANY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS AND ARE ENGAGING IN VIRTUAL LEARNING, YET FAR TOO MANY STUDENTS CANNOT AFFORD THE ROBUST BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY REQUIRED FOR ONLINE LEARNING. AS A RESULT, THESE IN-NEED STUDENTS ARE IN REAL JEOPARDY OF MISSING OUT ON CRITICAL MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS, OF SCHOOLING. "IN-NEED STUDENTS OFTEN FACE CHALLENGES THAT WELL-OFF STUDENTS DO NOT, AND WE OWE IT TO THEM TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT FALL BEHIND DURING THE COVID EMERGENCY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ENGAGE IN ONLINE LEARNING DUE TO A LACK OF BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE BECAUSE THE FCC'S E-RATE PROGRAM PROVIDES A READY AVENUE TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN. THE FCC SHOULD ACT PROMPTLY TO ADOPT RULES AND REQUIREMENTS TO ESTABLISH THIS NEW EMERGENCY PROGRAM," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. IN ITS COMMENTS, ACA CONNECTS PROPOSED THAT THE FCC RECOGNIZE THAT THE HOME IS OFTEN THE NEW "CLASSROOM" FOR MANY IN-NEED STUDENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND TAKE ACTION TO: 1. ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AT HAND BY USING THE FCC'S EXISTING AUTHORITY TO PERMIT TARGETED USE OF E-RATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF BROADBAND SERVICE FOR IN-NEED STUDENTS AT THEIR HOMES WHEN SCHOOLS ARE NOT OPEN; 2. RELY UPON, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, EXISTING PROVIDERS AND NETWORKS TO FACILITATE EXPEDITED DELIVERY OF HOME BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY TO IN-NEED STUDENTS; 3. DIRECT EMERGENCY FUNDING AMOUNTS TO EACH SCHOOL BASED ON STUDENTS THAT ARE IN-NEED AND ENGAGED IN REMOTE LEARNING. ACA CONNECTS TO FCC: A MUCH-NEEDED EMERGENCY E-RATE PROGRAM SHOULD BE WELL-TARGETED TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION PITTSBURGH, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 IN FEBRUARY 23 COMMENTS FILED WITH THE FCC ON THE PROPOSED EMERGENCY E-RATE PROGRAM, ACA CONNECTS EXPLAINED THAT THE PROGRAM IF IT IS GOING TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION TO PROVIDE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY FOR REMOTE LEARNING DURING THE COVID EMERGENCY SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO IN-NEED STUDENTS THAT MUST ENGAGE IN VIRTUAL CLASSROOM LEARNING AND SHOULD RELY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ON EXISTING SERVICE PROVIDERS BECAUSE THEY CAN BEST PROVIDE THAT IMMEDIATE CONNECTIVITY. WITHOUT THIS SHARP FOCUS, ACA CONNECTS JOINED WITH MANY OTHER COMMENTERS IN EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT THE PROGRAM WOULD QUICKLY RUN THROUGH LIMITED FUNDING AND CONNECT TOO FEW STUDENTS WHO TRULY NEEDED ACCESS. "ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS THE PROMPT ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EMERGENCY E-RATE PROGRAM THAT ADDRESSES THE PRESSING PROBLEM WE FACE AND NOT SOME LARGER AGENDA. WE SIMPLY CANNOT WAIT AROUND WHILE IN-NEED STUDENTS THAT NEED TO ENGAGE IN ONLINE LEARNING ARE STRANDED WITHOUT BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. POLKA CONTINUED, AND, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FCC RIGHT NOW HAS LIMITED FUNDING TO SOLVE THAT CONCERN. THEREFORE, AN EMERGENCY E-RATE PROGRAM SHOULD TARGET SUPPORT ONLY TO IN-NEED STUDENTS WHO NEED BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY, BE DISTINCT FROM THE EXISTING E-RATE PROGRAM, HAVE LIMITED DURATION, RELY ON EXISTING PROVIDERS FOR CONNECTIVITY, AND GIVE SCHOOLS THE FLEXIBILITY, WITHIN LIMITS, TO ACHIEVE THE PROGRAM'S AIM." ACA CONNECTS COMMENDS FCC ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM RULES PITTSBURGH, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA: "ACA CONNECTS COMMENDS ACTING CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL AND HER FELLOW COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR UNANIMOUS, BIPARTISAN VOTE ON FINAL RULES FOR THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM. "WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WERE ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND ON RULES THAT WILL PROMOTE SWIFT ACCESS TO ROBUST BROADBAND SERVICES FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY DURING COVID-19. "WE ARE PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGED BY PUBLIC STATEMENTS SUGGESTING THAT THE ORDER TAKES STEPS TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM FROM SMALL AND RURAL WIRELINE PROVIDERS THAT ARE OFTEN THE ONLY SOURCE OF ROBUST CONNECTIVITY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. "WE APPLAUD THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR STAFFS FOR THEIR HARD WORK TO MEET THE STATUTORY DEADLINE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING THE ORDER UPON RELEASE." ACA CONNECTS ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES TO BOLSTER ITS LEADERSHIP, GRASSROOTS AND ADMINISTRATION JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM TO BECOME EVP AND COO PITTSBURGH, MARCH 1, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING STAFF CHANGES: JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM, ACAC'S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE, HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO ACAC'S EVP AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. CAROLINE PERSINGER HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO MANAGER OF GRASSROOTS. AND TOMEIKA SLAPPY HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO ACAC'S ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO. "THE CHANGES WE ARE MAKING AT ACAC WILL ALLOW OUR ASSOCIATION TO BE EVEN STRONGER FOR OUR MEMBERS IN KEY SERVICE AREAS, BUILDING UPON THE STRENGTHS JOHN, CAROLINE AND TOMEIKA ALREADY BRING TO OUR TEAM," SAID POLKA. HIGGINBOTHAM, WHO JOINED ACAC IN FEBRUARY 2020, HANDLES ALL MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE MATTERS FOR THE ASSOCIATION. GOING FORWARD, HIGGINBOTHAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OPERATIONAL AND STAFF MATTERS AS POLKA FOCUSES MORE ON ASSOCIATION RELATIONSHIPS WITH ITS MEMBERS, INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND POLICYMAKERS IN WASHINGTON. "JOHN WAS SUCH A BIG HELP TO OUR TEAM IN 2020 EVEN THOUGH HE JOINED US RIGHT AS THE PANDEMIC BEGAN TO AFFECT OUR MEMBERS AND OUR ASSOCIATION," POLKA SAID. "HE JUMPED RIGHT IN KEEPING US GROUNDED AS WE WORKED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC TO HELP OUR MEMBERS. HE IS A TRUE LEADER WITH VAST INDUSTRY AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE WHO WILL HELP ACAC MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY AND OUR FUTURE." PRIOR TO JOINING ACAC, HIGGINBOTHAM SERVED FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS AS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AT THE FRANKFORT PLANT BOARD IN KENTUCKY, ONE OF ACAC'S MEMBERS. "IN A VERY SHORT TIME, JOHN HAS BECOME A VALUED COLLEAGUE TO OUR MEMBERS AND TEAM ALIKE, WITH MANY NEW INITIATIVES LED BY JOHN TO COME IN 2021," POLKA ADDED. CAROLINE PERSINGER ONCE AGAIN BECOMES ACAC'S GRASSROOTS MANAGER, WORKING WITH MEMBERS ON BUILDING THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR POLICYMAKERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., DEVELOPING GOOD GRASSROOTS PRACTICES AND HELPING TO EXPAND ACAC'S POLITICAL ACTION ARM AT ACA PAC. ACA CONNECTS: NEW NFL TV DEALS WILL LEAVE CABLE CUSTOMERS WITH THE FINANCIAL EQUIVALENT OF A TORN ACL UNDER PRESSURE TO PAY HEFTY NFL DEBTS, TV STATIONS WILL USE FCC'S BROKEN 'RETRANS' RULES TO GOUGE CONSUMERS PITTSBURGH, MARCH 19, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON NEWS THAT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE HAS REACHED NEW LONG-TERM DEALS WITH ITS MEDIA PARTNERS: "YESTERDAY, THE NFL ANNOUNCED NEW TV RIGHTS AGREEMENTS WITH CBS, NBC, FOX, AND DISNEY'S ABC AND ESPN. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED REPORTS, THESE DEALS ARE WORTH AN ESTIMATED $95 BILLION COMBINED MORE THAN DOUBLE THEIR CURRENT ANNUAL PAYMENTS TO THE NFL. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: "WHILE MEDIA GIANTS ABC, NBC, CBS AND FOX SPIKE THE BALL IN THE END ZONE, ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS ARE TROUBLED BECAUSE THEY KNOW THESE DEALS WILL LEAVE MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE FINANCIAL EQUIVALENT OF A TORN ACL. BROADCAST NETWORKS AND TV STATION OWNERS LIKE SINCLAIR, NEXSTAR, TEGNA AND APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT WILL CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE THE BROKEN RETRANSMISSION CONSENT RULES TO DEMAND EXCESSIVE FEES FROM SMALLER CABLE OPERATORS, DRIVING UP THE COST TO WATCH WHAT BROADCASTERS LIKE TO CALL 'FREE TV.' IN ORDER TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR MASSIVE NFL OBLIGATIONS, BROADCASTERS WILL HIKE THEIR PRICES EVEN HIGHER AND, IRONICALLY, USE BLACKOUTS OF NFL GAMES THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO DO SO. "THESE BROADCAST GIANTS HAVE JUST ASKED CONGRESS FOR STIMULUS FUNDS IN ORDER TO AS THEY CLAIM - 'PRESERVE' LOCAL TV NEWS. PERHAPS THEY COULD HAVE SPENT SOME OF THE $95 BILLION THEY JUST COMMITTED TO SECURE NFL RIGHTS INSTEAD. "THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY GET HURT HERE ARE PAY-TV CUSTOMERS FORCED TO SHOULDER THE COST OF NFL RIGHTS BUT ONLY WANT TO WATCH THE LOCAL NEWS AND WEATHER. THAT'S WHY ACA CONNECTS LAST WEEK THANKED REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA.) AND REP. ANNA ESHOO (D-CALIF.) FOR RE-INTRODUCING THEIR BIPARTISAN BILL, THE MODERN TELEVISION ACT OF 2021, THAT WOULD ELIMINATE RETRANSMISSION CONSENT AND END THE NFL-INDUCED SQUEEZE ON CONSUMERS." MORE THAN 100 ACA CONNECTS MEMBER COMPANIES SEEK TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM FROM DAY ONE SMALLER COMPANIES PASSING WELL MORE THAN 10 MILLION HOMES WITH ROBUST HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND PREPARING TO HELP CONSUMERS IN NEED PITTSBURGH, MARCH 25, 2021 A LARGE CONTINGENT OF ACA CONNECTS MEMBER COMPANIES IS ON TRACK TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM FROM THE DAY IT LAUNCHES. MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST AND COMPLETED NECESSARY STEPS TO JOIN THE PROGRAM. COLLECTIVELY, THESE PROVIDERS PASS MORE THAN 10 MILLION HOMES IN TOTAL, REPRESENTING THE VAST MAJORITY OF HOMES PASSED BY ALL ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS. IN NEARLY ALL CASES, THESE PROVIDERS HAVE NETWORKS CAPABLE OF OFFERING SERVICE OF AT LEAST 100/20 MBPS, AND ALL CAN OFFER AT LEAST 25/3 MBPS. "THE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OUR MEMBER COMPANIES GEARING UP FOR THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM IS NOT SURPRISING GIVEN THE GREAT WORK THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC," SAID ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA. "THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS NEW PROGRAM WILL ALLOW THEM TO GREATLY EXPAND UPON THESE EFFORTS. CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW, MORE HELP IS ON THE WAY." THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM IS A $3.2 BILLION BROADBAND SUBSIDY PROGRAM THAT WILL CONNECT ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH FREE OR DISCOUNTED BROADBAND SERVICE DURING COVID-19. "IN THESE EXTRAORDINARY TIMES, STRUGGLING HOUSEHOLDS NEED ROBUST BROADBAND SERVICE THAT CAN MEET ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY NEEDS FOR ONLINE LEARNING, TELEHEALTH, AND MORE. ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS HAVE DEPLOYED HIGH-SPEED, RELIABLE NETWORKS THAT ARE UP TO THE TASK," SAID ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATTY BOYERS OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO. "ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS, LIKE MINE, ARE EAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS NEW PROGRAM AND TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE BENEFIT TO ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES." ACA CONNECTS SALUTES RICH FICKLE, CEO & PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE (NCTC), AS HE PREPARES TO DEPART THE ORGANIZATION PITTSBURGH, MARCH 31, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON NEWS THAT RICH FICKLE, CEO & PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE (NCTC), INTENDS TO LEAVE THE ORGANIZATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR: "A TRUE PARTNER, FRIEND AND VISIONARY EXECUTIVE, RICH LED THE NCTC OVER THE PAST DECADE TO EXTRAORDINARY NEW HEIGHTS DURING A TIME OF DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION THAT SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ABATING. "BECAUSE OF RICH'S SKILL, COMMITMENT AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, NCTC HAS FLOURISHED, AND OUR TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE NEVER BEEN CLOSER. WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS STRIDES, AND WE ARE IN POSITION TO MAKE EVEN MORE PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR MEMBERS AS THEY COMPETE IN THE DYNAMIC VIDEO AND BROADBAND MARKETPLACES AND IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., POLICY ARENA. "SO MUCH HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, AND IT TOOK SOMEONE WITH RICH'S SPECIAL QUALITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE OUR SECTOR'S MANY CHALLENGES, WHETHER TRADITIONAL CONTENT MATTERS, OVER THE TOP (OTT) SERVICES AS CONSUMERS MIGRATED AWAY FROM TRADITIONAL VIDEO PACKAGES, AND IMPLEMENTATION BY OUR MEMBERS OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES. ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AMERICAN JOBS PLAN PITTSBURGH, MARCH 31, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND TO ALL AMERICANS: "ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S AIM TO PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND TO ALL AMERICANS. THERE ARE TOO MANY HOUSEHOLDS, MOSTLY IN MORE RURAL PARTS OR OTHER ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED AREAS OF THE COUNTRY, WITHOUT ACCESS TO ANY BROADBAND SERVICES OR THAT ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO UNRELIABLE, LOW-SPEED SERVICE. "IN THESE AREAS, ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS SPENDING GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO BUILD 'FUTURE PROOF' BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE. BUILD IT ONCE, BUILD IT RIGHT. AND, ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS SMALLER OPERATORS WITH LONG-STANDING LOCAL ROOTS, EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN DEPLOYING ADVANCED NETWORKS, AND WHOSE TERRITORIES ARE PROXIMATE TO MANY OF THESE UNSERVED AREAS ARE EAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM. "BUT MORE DEPLOYMENT ALONE WILL NOT BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. AS ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS KNOW, NOT EVERY HOUSEHOLD THAT HAS ACCESS TO BROADBAND SUBSCRIBES AND FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS. ACA CONNECTS RECOMMENDS MEASURES TO FCC FOR MEETING THE BROADBAND NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND LIBRARY PATRONS GROUP SUGGESTS WAYS THAT THE FCC'S NEW EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND CAN BE DESIGNED TO EXPEDITE THE DELIVERY OF BROADBAND TO ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS AND MORE PITTSBURGH, APRIL 7, 2021 IN COMMENTS FILED YESTERDAY, ACA CONNECTS EXPLAINED THAT THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WILL BEST ACHIEVE THE CRITICAL OBJECTIVES OF THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND PROGRAM TO ENABLE ALL STUDENTS AND LIBRARY PATRONS TO ENGAGE IN REMOTE LEARNING IMMEDIATELY AND THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY BY FOLLOWING KEY STEPS THAT SHOULD ENJOY BROAD SUPPORT. THESE STEPS INCLUDE: RELYING ON EXISTING BROADBAND PROVIDERS, WHO CAN IMMEDIATELY CONNECT STUDENTS AND PATRONS; ENABLING ALL LOCAL BROADBAND PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE SUCH CONNECTIVITY; AND ENSURING THE FCC SETS ASIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDING, AND PROPERLY BUDGETS FOR THE PROVISION OF CONNECTIVITY AND CONNECTED DEVICES FOR IN-NEED AND RURAL STUDENTS AND PATRONS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE STATUTE THROUGH THE END OF THE PROGRAM. "THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS AND LIBRARY PATRONS CAN ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY IN REMOTE LEARNING BUT ONLY IF THE FCC ESTABLISHES RULES THAT ALLOW AND ENCOURAGE EXISTING BROADBAND PROVIDERS TO PARTICIPATE," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "MOREOVER, THE FCC NEEDS TO ALLOCATE SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR CONNECTIVITY SO THAT STUDENTS AND PATRONS WILL RECEIVE ROBUST, RELIABLE BROADBAND SERVICE FROM NOW UNTIL THE EMERGENCY ENDS" ACA CONNECTS COMMENTS WERE FILED IN RESPONSE TO THE MARCH 16 PUBLIC NOTICE ISSUED BY THE FCC'S WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU TO IMPLEMENT THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND PROGRAM, WHICH WAS ENACTED AS PART OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. ACA CONNECTS TO FCC: EXISTING BROADBAND SERVICE PROVIDERS ALONE CAN PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ROBUST CONNECTIVITY FOR REMOTE LEARNING RECOGNITION OF THIS APPROACH WOULD MAKE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND OPPORTUNITY A SUCCESS PITTSBURGH, APRIL 27, 2021 THE $7.17 BILLION EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND (ECF) PROGRAM, ENACTED AS PART OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, PROVIDES A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE REMOTE LEARNING NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND LIBRARY PATRONS DURING THE COVID EMERGENCY, ACCORDING TO ACA CONNECTS. IN COMMENTS FILED ON APRIL 23, ACA CONNECTS URGED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO SEIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY BY RELYING ON EXISTING BROADBAND PROVIDERS' PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES AND COVERAGE TO SUPPLY THE IMMEDIATE CONNECTIVITY REQUIRED TO FULFILL THE ECF'S MISSION. THE FCC IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT RULES FOR THE ECF ON MAY 10, 2021. "WHAT IS CLEAR FROM THE COVID LOCKDOWN IS THAT OUR NATION'S BROADBAND PROVIDERS HAVE DEVELOPED WORLD-LEADING INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH HAS MORE THAN MET THE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY NEEDS OF AMERICANS TO INTERACT, SHOP, AND WORK FROM HOME. MOREOVER, OVER THE PAST YEAR, MANY OF THESE PROVIDERS HAVE WORKED WITH SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE STUDENTS AND OTHERS CAN ENGAGE IN REMOTE LEARNING," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: IN IMPLEMENTING THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND, ACA CONNECTS URGED THE FCC TO BUILD ON THESE EFFORTS BY TURNING TO ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS WHO ARE BROADBAND PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE THE IMMEDIATE CONNECTIVITY REQUIRED TO MAKE THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL. ACA CONNECTS UNVEILS INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS NEWS REIMAGINED ICN CONTINUES LEGACY OF INDEPENDENT CABLE NEWS, BUT WITH A SHARP FOCUS ON THE WORK OF ACAC OPERATOR AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS AS WELL AS PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES PITTSBURGH, APRIL 28, 2021 ACA CONNECTS TODAY UNVEILED INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS NEWS, A NEW EDITORIAL PRODUCT CREATED BY THE ACAC STAFF WITH THE GOAL OF INFORMING A READERSHIP BRIMMING WITH CURIOUS AND SPIRITED DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS. THE AIM IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK OF OUR OPERATOR AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS AS WELL AS UNDERSCORE OUR ORGANIZATION'S FOCUS ON THE KEY POLICY ISSUES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT TWO IMPORTANT CHANGES. FROM THIS POINT ON, ICN WILL BE ALL-DIGITAL, WHICH FURTHERS THE GOALS OF TIMELY DELIVERY, EASE OF STORAGE AND FRICTIONLESS SHARING. WE'VE ALSO CHANGED THE NAME FROM INDEPENDENT CABLE NEWS TO INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS NEWS. "WE ARE PROUD OF OUR CABLE HERITAGE, INCLUDING THIS GROUNDBREAKING PUBLICATION LED FOR SO MANY YEARS BY LONG-TIME CABLE PIONEER AND OUR MEMBER BOB SEARLE, WHOM WE GREATLY MISS. BUT THIS SMALL, YET SIGNIFICANT, CHANGE REFLECTS THE ONGOING CONSUMER MIGRATION TO BROADBAND PRODUCTS, INCLUDING VIDEO. CONSUMER BEHAVIOR IS STILL VIDEO CENTRIC BUT INCREASINGLY LESS SO WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL CABLE TV SPACE," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. ACA CONNECTS SAYS, "THANK YOU, C-SPAN BUS!" PITTSBURGH, MAY 10, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON NEWS THAT THE C-SPAN BUS WILL BE LEAVING THE ROAD AFTER MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE: "USUALLY THE REFRAIN IS, 'THANK YOU C-SPAN.' BUT NOW IT'S TIME TO SAY, 'THANK YOU, C-SPAN BUS,' ON WORD THAT THE CABLE-CREATED PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHANNEL HAS DECIDED TO TAKE THIS ICON-ON-WHEELS OFF THE ROAD FOR GOOD. "AT ACA CONNECTS, WE TOOK THE NEWS HARD. FOR DECADES, THE C-SPAN BUS WAS A FIXTURE AT OUR INDUSTRY'S NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND IN OUR MEMBERS' COMMUNITIES, AND THE C-SPAN BUS SERVED AS A REMINDER THAT C-SPAN'S LEADERS HAD CRAFTED AN ASTONISHINGLY POWERFUL APPROACH TO DRAWING CABLE COMPANIES AND THEIR CUSTOMERS CLOSER TOGETHER. WHEN THE C-SPAN BUS ROLLED INTO TOWN, IT WAS A CELEBRITY, IT DREW A CROWD, IT INSPIRED STUDENTS, AND IT SHOWED HOW GREAT THE CABLE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN FOR AMERICA. "THE C-SPAN BUS CHECKED A LOT OF BOXES. THE 50 CAPITALS TOUR WAS SPECIAL, WHICH INCLUDED THE 2018 VISIT TO HAWAII'S PEARL HARBOR, CONNECTING AMERICANS TO A PART OF THEIR PAST THAT MANY DON'T HAVE TIME TO VISIT IN PERSON. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T LIVE IN HAWAII, THE C-SPAN BUS TAUGHT THAT THE USS ARIZONA HAS MEANING THAT GOES FAR BEYOND THE NAME OF OUR 48TH STATE. "IF THERE'S A SYMBOL THAT REPRESENTS CABLE'S LEADERSHIP IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN AMERICAN MEDIA AND HIGHLIGHTS ITS LEADERS' ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT BEST CAPTURED TODAY BY THE NEAR-UBIQUITOUS DEPLOYMENT OF HIGH-QUALITY BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS, IT'S THE C-SPAN BUS. IT MAY BE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE FOR THE LAST TIME, BUT THE C-SPAN BUS WILL LIVE ON IN THE MEMORIES OF EVERYONE IT TOUCHED." ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON FCC ADOPTION OF THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND ORDER PITTSBURGH, MAY 11, 2021 ACA CONNECTS SR. VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ROSS LIEBERMAN ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND ORDER: "ACA CONNECTS SUPPORTS THE FCC'S ORDER ADOPTING RULES TO IMPLEMENT THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND, WHICH WILL SUPPORT BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY FOR REMOTE LEARNING. THE NEW RULES PROPERLY SUPPORT PROVIDING BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY FOR STUDENTS DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE COVID EMERGENCY AND CORRECTLY RELY ON EXISTING PROVIDERS TO OFFER BROADBAND SERVICE AND ENABLE ALL PROVIDERS IN A MARKET TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. "ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS HAVE LONG STOOD BY AND SUPPORTED THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR CUSTOMERS SO THEY CAN HAVE ESSENTIAL BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY. THIS HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY TRUE DURING THE COVID EMERGENCY AS OUR MEMBERS HAVE STEPPED UP TO WORK WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH CONNECTIVITY FOR REMOTE LEARNING. "THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND WILL FURTHER ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN LEARN AT HOME, AND WE SUPPORT THE FCC'S EFFORTS TO EXPEDITIOUSLY IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM BY TURNING TO OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER BROADBAND PROVIDERS CURRENTLY SERVING THE MARKET. OF COURSE, THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND, WHILE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY FOR REMOTE LEARNING DURING THE EMERGENCY, IS IN EFFECT FOR A LIMITED TIME WITH LIMITED FUNDS. "ACA CONNECTS CALLS UPON CONGRESS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND ENACT A PERMANENT, SUSTAINABLE FUNDING MECHANISM TO PROVIDE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY FOR IN-NEED HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT IT. ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A PROGRAM." ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN BOYERS AND CEO POLKA ISSUE STATEMENT ON LAUNCH OF THE FCC'S EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM PITTSBURGH, MAY 12, 2021 ACA CONNECTS LEADERS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS AND ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE MAY 12 LAUNCH OF THE FCC'S EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT (EBB) PROGRAM, A $3.2 BILLION BROADBAND SUBSIDY PROGRAM THAT WILL CONNECT ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH FREE OR DISCOUNTED BROADBAND SERVICE DURING COVID-19. COMMENTED CEO POLKA: "ACA CONNECTS IS PROUD THAT MORE THAN 300 OF OUR MEMBER COMPANIES HAVE ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT (EBB) PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS WILL CONNECT ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH ROBUST, HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND SERVICE THAT CAN SUPPORT ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY NEEDS FOR ONLINE LEARNING, TELEHEALTH AND MORE. THE EBB PROGRAM BUILDS ON THE SUBSTANTIAL EFFORTS THAT ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS HAVE UNDERTAKEN THROUGHOUT COVID-19 TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES MAKE IT THROUGH THIS UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS. WE APPLAUD THE FCC AND USAC FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT CULMINATED IN TODAY'S LAUNCH OF THIS IMPORTANT NEW PROGRAM." COMMENTED CHAIRMAN BOYERS, WHO IS PRESIDENT OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO.: "THE EBB PROGRAM OFFERS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP STRUGGLING HOUSEHOLDS OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19, BUT IT IS A TEMPORARY PROGRAM WITH LIMITED FUNDS. THE NEXT STEP IS TO DEVELOP A PERMANENT, SUSTAINABLE FUNDING MECHANISM FOR DELIVERING ENHANCED BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS GOING FORWARD. ACA CONNECTS IS ENCOURAGED BY DISCUSSIONS TAKING PLACE IN CONGRESS TO MAKE THIS CONCEPT A REALITY, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THESE EFFORTS IN ANY WAY WE CAN." ACA CONNECTS LEADERS APPLAUD SELECTION OF LOU BORRELLI AS NEW CEO OF NCTC ACAC'S TEAM LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH LEADER BORRELLI ON THE BIG ISSUES FACING OUR SECTOR PITTSBURGH, MAY 25, 2021 ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS AND PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE SELECTION OF LOU BORRELLI AS THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE (NCTC): COMMENTED CHAIRMAN BOYERS: "ACA CONNECTS AND NCTC HAVE FOR DECADES ENJOYED A POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP, WITH ACAC PURSUING PUBLIC POLICY GOALS AND NCTC NEGOTIATING PROGRAMMING AND EQUIPMENT CONTRACTS WITH NATIONAL AND REGIONAL VENDORS. WITH THE NAMING OF LOU BORRELLI AS NCTC'S NEW LEADER, THE ACAC-NCTC ALLIANCE IS READY TO USE ITS COMBINED ASSETS AND THE UNIQUE SKILLS OF EACH ORGANIZATION TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR MEMBERS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX TRANSITION FROM ONE PRIMARILY ABOUT LINEAR TV CHANNELS TO A NEW ONE PRIMARILY ABOUT BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND ALL ITS EXCITING DIMENSIONS." COMMENTED PRESIDENT & CEO POLKA: "I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH LOU, AND I AM POSITIVE ACAC AND NCTC WILL QUICKLY COME TO APPRECIATE HIS VAST KNOWLEDGE OF OUR SECTOR AND HIS CREATIVE APPROACHES TO SOLVING THE TOUGH PROBLEMS THAT INEVITABLY LIE AHEAD. WELCOME ABOARD, LOU. WE CAN'T WAIT TO BEGIN OUR IMPORTANT WORK TOGETHER! "AS NCTC CONTINUES WITH ITS LEADERSHIP TRANSITION, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SALUTE LOU'S PREDECESSOR, NCTC CEO & PRESIDENT RICH FICKLE. RICH AND I BUILT A STRONG FRIENDSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP OVER THE PAST DECADE, A BOND THAT WAS TRULY INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ACAC AND NCTC ADAPT TO MARKETPLACE DISRUPTION AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES. "RICH WILL BE GREATLY MISSED AND WE WISH HIM, HIS WIFE, ROBIN, AND HIS FAMILY ALL THE VERY BEST IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS." U.S. CAN ADDRESS PRESSING BROADBAND NEEDS WITH PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS, REPORT SHOWS ACA CONNECTS AND CARTESIAN DEVELOP DETAILED ANALYSES TO HELP POLICYMAKERS PRIORITIZE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: PITTSBURGH, JUNE 10, 2021 A NEW REPORT FROM ACA CONNECTS AND BUSINESS CONSULTING FIRM CARTESIAN SHOWS THAT POLICYMAKERS CAN MAKE GIGABIT BROADBAND AVAILABLE TO 19 MILLION LOCATIONS THAT LACK ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE AND SUBSIDIZE BROADBAND ADOPTION FOR FIVE YEARS WITH FUNDING UNDER CONSIDERATION BY PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE U.S. CONGRESS. THE REPORT, ADDRESSING GAPS IN BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABILITY AND SERVICE ADOPTION: A COST ESTIMATION & PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, USES THE MOST RECENT AND COMPREHENSIVE DEPLOYMENT DATA AVAILABLE AND PROVIDES A RIGOROUS ANALYTICAL COST MODEL AND FRAMEWORK TO ASSIST POLICYMAKERS IN DETERMINING HOW TO EXPAND BROADBAND AVAILABILITY AND INCREASE BROADBAND ADOPTION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BASED UPON VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF SUCCESS. USING THIS DATA, COST MODEL AND ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK, THE REPORT ILLUSTRATES THAT WITH A BUDGET BETWEEN $61-118 BILLION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD MAKE GIGABIT BROADBAND AVAILABLE TO ALL LOCATIONS WITH LESS THAN 100/20 MBPS SERVICE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FCC'S RECENT RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND PHASE I PROGRAM AND SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE BROADBAND ADOPTION FOR UP TO HALF OF THE 33 MILLION LIFELINE-ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS OVER FIVE YEARS BY OFFERING A $50 MONTHLY SUBSIDY. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT CERTAIN MORE AMBITIOUS GOALS WOULD REQUIRE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AMOUNTS TO BE SET AT HIGHER LEVELS THAN WHAT HAS BEEN THUS FAR PROPOSED. FOR INSTANCE, BUILDING FUTURE-PROOF NETWORKS TO ALL LOCATIONS WITH LESS THAN 100/100 MBPS SERVICE WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $106-179 BILLION. ACA CONNECTS PROUDLY RECOGNIZES ASTOUND BROADBAND CEO JIM HOLANDA, ACAC EVP & COO JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM, MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON THEIR ENTRY INTO THE CABLE TV PIONEERS ACA CONNECTS SALUTES FIVE MEMBERS, CHRIS LAMMERS OF CABLELABS, AMY MACLEAN OF CABLEFAX AND R. THOMAS UMSTEAD OF MULTICHANNEL NEWS AND NEXT TV ON THEIR INDUCTION INTO THE PIONEERS PITTSBURGH, JUNE 11, 2021 TWENTY-FOUR NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE CABLE TV PIONEERS 55TH ANNUAL INDUCTION, INCLUDING ASTOUND BROADBAND CEO JIM HOLANDA AND ACA CONNECTS EVP & COO JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM FOR THEIR VISION, SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE CABLE AND BROADBAND SECTOR FOR MANY DECADES. "IT IS SUCH A PRIVILEGE FOR OUR ASSOCIATION TO WORK WITH JIM HOLANDA AND HIS GREAT TEAM AT ASTOUND," SAID ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATTY BOYERS OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO. "BY GOD, OUR MEMBERS LEAD THE WAY, AND JIM IS ONE OF THOSE LEADERS WHO GETS THE JOB DONE. OUR BOARD AND ASSOCIATION ARE FORTUNATE TO COUNT ON JIM TO SHARE HIS DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDUSTRY AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION MAKING US ALL BETTER." JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM JOINED THE ACAC ORGANIZATION IN FEBRUARY 2020, JUST AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DELIVERED A DEVASTATING BLOW TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. JOHN WORKED TIRELESSLY NOT ONLY TO HELP ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS RESPOND TO THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE HEALTH CRISIS BUT ALSO TO COORDINATE THEIR ACTIVITIES WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORS. ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON COMPETITION IN COMMUNICATIONS MARKETS PITTSBURGH, JULY 9, 2021 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA: "ACA CONNECTS WHICH REPRESENTS MORE THAN 600 SMALLER PROVIDERS OF VIDEO, BROADBAND, AND VOICE SERVICES TO MORE THAN 11 MILLION CUSTOMERS NATIONALLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FOCUS ON PROMOTING COMPETITION IN OUR ECONOMY. EVERY DAY OUR MEMBERS ARE UNFAIRLY LEVERAGED BY LARGE VIDEO PROGRAMMERS AND BROADCAST STATION GROUPS, CAUSING OUR CUSTOMERS' VIDEO RATES TO SOAR. "THESE SAME MEMBERS FEAR THAT DOMINANT INTERNET PLATFORMS AND POWERFUL STREAMING SERVICES MAY CHOOSE NOT TO MAKE THEIR SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE SUBSCRIBERS OF SOME SMALLER ISPS. THESE CONCERNS ABOUND WHILE OUR MEMBERS SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO UPGRADE THEIR ROBUST, RELIABLE BROADBAND NETWORKS TO PROVIDE EVEN GREATER PERFORMANCE IN SOME OF THE HARDEST-TO-REACH AREAS IN THE U.S. "WE URGE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO ADDRESS THE COMPETITIVE ISSUES WE RAISE HERE, AS WELL AS THE FULL SPECTRUM OF ANTICOMPETITIVE ACTS AND PRACTICES IN THESE SECTORS." THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SHOULD REQUIRE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING TO BE USED TO BRING HIGH-PERFORMANCE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNSERVED LOCATIONS FUNDING ALSO SHOULD BE USED TO ADDRESS THE ADOPTION GAP PITTSBURGH, JULY 19, 2021 IN COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON JULY 16 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, ACA CONNECTS URGED THAT TREASURY MAXIMIZE USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT BLOCK GRANTS FOR STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS TO CLOSE BOTH THE BROADBAND AVAILABILITY AND ADOPTION GAPS. THIS MEANS PROVIDING SUPPORT ONLY WHERE A LOCATION LACKS MINIMAL (25/3 MBPS) BROADBAND SERVICE AND THEN BUILDING GIGABIT NETWORKS. IT ALSO MEANS SPENDING FUNDING TO HELP LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SUBSCRIBE WHERE BROADBAND SERVICE IS ALREADY AVAILABLE. "THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FUNDING GIVEN TO STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROVIDES A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, BUT TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENTS MUST FIRST ADOPT A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO DETERMINE THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE AVAILABILITY AND ADOPTION GAPS AND THEN IMPLEMENT COST-EFFECTIVE POLICIES THAT TARGET THESE PROBLEMS," SAID ROSS LIEBERMAN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, ACA CONNECTS. LIEBERMAN CONTINUED, "WE CAN MAKE REAL PROGRESS IN CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE BY USING LIMITED FUNDS WISELY. WE NEED TO APPRECIATE THE SUBSTANTIAL SIZE OF THE ADOPTION GAP AND ALLOCATE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO ADDRESS IT. IT MEANS ONLY SPENDING MONEY TO DEPLOY BROADBAND TO UNSERVED LOCATIONS AND BUILDING FUTURE-PROOF NETWORKS TO CONNECT THOSE LOCATIONS. IT REQUIRES THAT WE NOT PRIORITIZE SUPPORT FOR ANY PROVIDER TO BUILD THOSE NETWORKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ENTITIES THAT ARE INEXPERIENCED. AND WE SHOULD AWARD SUPPORT THROUGH DISTRIBUTION MECHANISMS THAT ARE EFFICIENT AND FACILITATE PARTICIPATION BY SMALLER PROVIDERS, WHO ARE OFTEN BEST POSITIONED TO SERVE UNSERVED AREAS." THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT ISSUED INTERIM FINAL RULES FOR THE PROGRAM ON MAY 17, 2021 AND SET A JULY 16, 2021 DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS. ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON THE U.S. SENATE'S PASSAGE OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 10, 2021 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA: "WE APPLAUD THE U.S. SENATE FOR PROVIDING IN THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE $65 BILLION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CRITICAL BROADBAND CAPABILITIES. THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENT WOULD HELP ALL AMERICANS STAY CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS AND ENGAGE IN TELEWORK, TELEHEALTH, REMOTE LEARNING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES SO FUNDAMENTAL TO 21ST CENTURY SOCIETY. THIS BILL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CONNECT MANY MILLIONS OF UNSERVED LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SOME 30 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND BUT DON'T CURRENTLY SUBSCRIBE. "ACA CONNECTS LOOKS FORWARD TO CONGRESS CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION, AND WE HOPE THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRIORITIZES BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY AS IT CONSIDERS THE IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES OUR NATION FACES." ACA CONNECTS MOURNS THE LOSS OF ACAC FOUNDER AND CABLE TV PIONEER DEAN PETERSEN PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 17, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: "EVERYONE AT ACA CONNECTS IS DEEPLY SADDENED TO HEAR THE NEWS OF DEAN PETERSEN'S PASSING ON AUG. 8 TWO DAYS BEFORE HIS 81ST BIRTHDAY. ACA CONNECTS SIMPLY WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT DEAN'S VISION AND WISDOM AT A TIME WHEN SMALL CABLE TV PROVIDERS WERE THREATENED BY THE DISPROPORTIONATE AND HARMFUL IMPACT OF FEDERAL CABLE TV REGULATION. "DEAN WAS A 'CABLE GUY' IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD, AND HE WAS DEDICATED TO OUR INDUSTRY. HE SERVED IN MANY WAYS, WHETHER AS PRESIDENT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI CABLE TV IN CARTHAGE, MO., UNTIL ITS SALE IN 1999, AS A FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER OF OUR ASSOCIATION FOR MANY YEARS, AND AS A LEADER IN TELLING OUR 'INDEPENDENT' STORY TO CONGRESS AND THE FCC. FOR ALL HIS SERVICE, DEAN WAS NAMED A CABLE TV PIONEER IN 1994. "DEAN, ALONG WITH STAN SEARLE, FOUNDED ACA CONNECTS (THEN THE SMALL CABLE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION) IN 1993. THE TRADE ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO CREATE A VOICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., FOR INDEPENDENT, SMALLER PROVIDERS IN REACTION TO PASSAGE OF THE RE-REGULATORY CABLE TELEVISION CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMPETITION ACT OF 1992 AND FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S IMPLEMENTING RULES. THAT VOICE AND ORGANIZATION REMAIN AS STRONG AS EVER NEARLY 29 YEARS LATER BECAUSE OF DEAN'S AND STAN'S VISION. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: "WHEN DEAN STEPPED DOWN FROM THE ACA CONNECTS BOARD IN 1999, HE WAS GIVEN ACAC'S SECOND 'EAGLE AWARD,' RECOGNIZING HIS EFFORTS IN, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO, OUR MEMBERS AND THE CABLE TV INDUSTRY. STAN SEARLE OF SEARLE COMMUNICATIONS IN MONUMENT, COL., WAS ACA CONNECTS' FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE 'EAGLE.' "ACA CONNECTS WILL MISS DEAN AND WE OWE HIM AN INCREDIBLE DEBT OF GRATITUDE. AND YOU CAN BE SURE WE WILL CARRY ON IN HIS MEMORY." ACA CONNECTS LEADERS ANNOUNCE 2021 BOARD ELECTION RESULTS, BOARD REPLACEMENTS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 20, 2021 ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS AND ACA CONNECTS VICE CHAIRMAN MIKE BOWKER TODAY ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF RECENT ACAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS IN ADDITION TO BOARD REPLACEMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE SIX-PERSON ACAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE SIX PEOPLE ELECTED TO THE ACAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS WON THEIR SEATS BASED ON BALLOTING BY THE ACAC MEMBERSHIP. THE ACAC BOARD REPLACEMENTS OCCURRED PURSUANT TO EXISTING ACAC BYLAWS, AND THE ACAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SELECTIONS TO SERVE ONE-YEAR TERMS WERE BASED ON A VOTE BY THE ACAC BOARD. "TO ASSOCIATE WITH ALL THE MANY TALENTED PEOPLE WHO SERVE ON THE ACA CONNECTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEANS A LOT TO ME PERSONALLY BECAUSE I KNOW OUR MEMBERS ARE IN GOOD HANDS AND CAN TRUST ACAC'S LEADERSHIP TO ACT WITH UTMOST INTEGRITY, INTELLIGENCE AND DILIGENCE," ACAC CHAIRMAN BOYERS SAID. "I CONGRATULATE ALL THOSE WHO WERE ELECTED." MRS. BOYERS WHO IS PRESIDENT OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO. WAS ELECTED ACAC'S CHAIRMAN IN 2019, FOLLOWING A FIVE-YEAR STINT AS ACAC VICE CHAIRMAN. ACAC VICE CHAIRMAN BOWKER, WHO IS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF CABLE ONE IN PHOENIX, ARIZ., JOINED THE ACAC BOARD IN JANUARY, 2018. ACA CONNECTS HAILS FCC'S IMPLEMENTATION OF MVPD REGULATORY FEE PARITY PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 30, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELEASE OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S REGULATORY FEE SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021: "ACA CONNECTS IS PLEASED THAT THE FCC FINALLY HAS MADE THE REGULATORY FEE AMOUNT IT CHARGES DIRECTV AND DISH NETWORK PER SUBSCRIBER EQUAL TO THAT IMPOSED ON CABLE AND IPTV PROVIDERS, CLOSING THE BOOK ON ITS SEVEN-YEAR PHASE-IN PROCESS. NO LONGER WILL ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS BE BURDENED WITH PAYING A LARGER FEE FOR FCC MEDIA BUREAU ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT ALL PAY-TELEVISION PROVIDERS. WHILE ELIMINATING THIS INEXPLICABLE DISPARITY WAS LONG OVERDUE, ACA CONNECTS PARTICULARLY APPRECIATES THAT THE FCC HAS ENSURED THAT CABLE/IPTV AND DBS PROVIDERS WILL BE ASSESSED THE SAME FEE GOING FORWARD BY COMBINING THEM INTO ONE REGULATORY FEE CATEGORY." INDEPENDENT SHOW 2021 IS GOING VIRTUAL! NCTC, ACA CONNECTS OPT FOR ONLINE-ONLY EVENT AS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO SHIFTING COVID-19 BACKDROP PITTSBURGH/LENEXA, KS, AUGUST 31, 2021 THE NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE (NCTC) AND ACA CONNECTS (ACAC), SPONSORS OF THE INDEPENDENT SHOW, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT THE 2021 SHOW WILL BE HELD ONLINE, OFFERING MEMBERS AND VENDORS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONVENE AS AN INDUSTRY IN THE SAFEST POSSIBLE MANNER AMID LINGERING UNCERTAINTY OVER THE APPROPRIATENESS OF LARGE IN-PERSON EVENTS. "AFTER THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION, ACA CONNECTS AND NCTC DECIDED TO TAKE THE INDEPENDENT SHOW ONLINE NEXT MONTH BECAUSE OF DIFFICULT PLANNING ISSUES DESPITE STRONG ENTHUSIASM FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY EVENT TO TAKE PLACE IN MINNEAPOLIS. IT'S THE CORRECT DECISION, WITH BROAD SUPPORT FROM BOTH ACAC AND NCTC MEMBERS," ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS SAID. "I'M POSITIVE THE ONLINE EVENT WILL BE A SMASHING SUCCESS." MRS. BOYERS IS PRESIDENT OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO. NCTC CHAIRMAN BRAD MEFFERD APPLAUDED THE MOVE TO TAKE THE 2021 INDEPENDENT SHOW ONLINE. ACAC PRESIDENT AND CEO MATT POLKA JOINED NCTC'S BORRELLI IN ENDORSING THE MOVE TO AN ONLINE SHOW GIVEN THE CURRENT HEALTH ENVIRONMENT. "WE FELT THAT TRANSITIONING THE ENTIRE EVENT TO VIRTUAL WAS THE BEST OPTION AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR MEMBERS AND VENDOR PARTNERS," CEO POLKA SAID. "BUT LET'S LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE: WE ARE GOING TO KEEP ALL THE GREAT CONTENT WE HAD PLANNED AS WELL AS OFFER A FEW FUN SURPRISES FOR THOSE WHO ARE REGISTERED FOR THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE." 'THE POWER OF TOGETHER' THE 2021 INDEPENDENT SHOW HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF FUTURE-PROOF NETWORKS INDEPENDENT BROADBAND PROVIDERS KEEP AMERICA CONNECTED AT AN URGENT MOMENT, CREATING STRONG CONSUMER LOYALTY PITTSBURGH, PA. AND LENEXA, KAN., OCTOBER 5, 2021 BRINGING TOGETHER LEADERS, VENDORS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE INDEPENDENT VIDEO AND BROADBAND INDUSTRY, THE NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE AND ACA CONNECTS-AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION TODAY OPENED THIS YEAR'S INDEPENDENT SHOW WITH HEADLINERS OFFERING THEIR THOUGHTS AND INSIGHTS ON HOW TO TAKE THEIR SERVICES AND COMMUNITIES TO THE NEXT LEVEL. THIS YEAR'S INDEPENDENT SHOW IS CO-HOSTED ONCE AGAIN BY NCTC AND ACA CONNECTS AND WAS A VIRTUAL PRODUCTION FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING IN RESPONSE TO HEALTH SAFETY CONCERNS RELATED TO COVID-19. EVEN SO, EVENT PLANNERS DELIVERED ON THEIR PROMISES TO OFFER CONTENT BLOCKS FLUSH WITH CURATED PRESENTATIONS ON POWERFUL TENDS AND OUTLOOKS IMPACTING FINANCE, INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY. THE INDEPENDENT SHOW IS A TWO-DAY ONLINE EVENT AND CONCLUDES TOMORROW WITH ANOTHER DAY OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES. "DAY ONE OF THE INDEPENDENT SHOW WENT REALLY WELL, THERE WERE MANY EXCITING SPEAKERS AND THE FOCUS ON INNOVATION AND FUTURE PLANNING ARE TOPICS THAT WILL HELP OUR MEMBER BUSINESSES SUCCEED FROM NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE STAFF, SPEAKERS AND SUPPLIER PARTNERS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO DAY ONE. CAN'T WAIT FOR DAY TWO," SAID NCTC CHAIRMAN BRAD MEFFERD. 'THE POWER OF TOGETHER' THE 2021 INDEPENDENT SHOW'S FINAL DAY PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION, LEGISLATION AND REGULATION INDEPENDENT VIDEO AND BROADBAND PROVIDERS CONTINUE TO INVEST TO MEET CUSTOMERS' NEEDS WHILE STAYING FOCUSED ON REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS PITTSBURGH, PA. AND LENEXA, KAN., OCTOBER 6, 2021 INDEPENDENT VIDEO AND BROADBAND PROVIDER HEARD IMPORTANT MESSAGES TODAY ON WAYS TO TRANSLATE VISION INTO ACTION AND INNOVATION INTO PROGRESS. THEY ALSO LEARNED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO REMAIN VIGILANT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AT A TIME WHEN POLICYMAKERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO EXPANDING BROADBAND NETWORKS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. ALL OF THIS TOOK PLACE DURING DAY TWO OF THIS YEAR'S INDEPENDENT SHOW, WHICH BECAME A VIRTUAL EVENT OWING TO HEALTH-RELATED CONCERN RELATED TO COVID-19. STILL, SHOW ATTENDEES WERE OFFERED A RICH, QUALITY EXPERIENCE THAT FEATURED INSIGHTS FROM BUSINESS LEADERS, TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS, AND TOP-NOTCH REGULATORY ADVISORS. "TODAY WAS AN IMPORTANT ONE FOR ACAC AND NCTC MEMBERS BECAUSE THE SUPERB LEVEL OF INFORMATION THAT CAME THEIR WAY WILL DEFINITELY ASSIST THEM IN RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES GOING FORWARD, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT THE INDEPENDENT SHOW IS ALL ABOUT. I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO LAND O'LAKES PRESIDENT AND CEO BETH FORD FOR HER HARD WORK IN EXPANDING BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY, ESPECIALLY VIA THE AMERICAN CONNECTION PROJECT," SAID PATRICIA JO BOYERS, WHO IS CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF BOYCOM VISION IN POPLAR BLUFF, MO. BETH FORD IS THE SISTER OF ACA CONNECTS BOARD MEMBER KATHY FORD, WHO IS SENIOR VP OF LEGAL AFFAIRS AT WOW! INTERNET, CABLE & PHONE. 'THE POWER OF TOGETHER' THE 2021 INDEPENDENT SHOW CLOSES ON A HIGH NOTE PITTSBURGH, PA. AND LENEXA, KAN., OCTOBER 7, 2021 THE NATIONAL CABLE TELEVISION COOPERATIVE (NCTC) AND ACA CONNECTS AMERICA'S COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION (ACAC) COMPLETED THEIR SECOND VIRTUAL INDEPENDENT SHOW (#TIS21) ON OCT 5 & 6. THE EIGHT-HOUR, INVITATION-ONLY EVENT OVER TWO DAYS BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 500 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. FOR THOUGHT-PROVOKING SESSIONS. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR JEREMY GUTSCHE'S TUESDAY KEYNOTE ADDRESS DISCUSSING INNOVATION DURING AN UNCERTAIN TIME. ABOVE THE FOLD: THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS OPERATORS WILL FACE OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS PRESENTED ATTENDEES WITH A THOUGHTFUL LOOK AT WHAT OPERATORS SHOULD BE INVESTING IN AND FOCUSING ON FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS. NORMALIZING THE CHAOS; MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS ECO-SYSTEM IN AN UNCERTAIN TIME LOOKED AT HOW BROADBAND AND PAY-TV PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE IMPLEMENTING CHANGES TO PROVIDE THE NEARLY SEAMLESS ABILITY FOR AMERICANS TO LIVE, WORK, LEARN AND PLAY FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WEDNESDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BETH FORD, PRESIDENT & CEO OF LAND O'LAKES, INC. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: ACA CONNECTS' UPDATE ON NEW BROADBAND PROGRAMS AND REGULATIONS TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES BEING PURSUED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., INCLUDING CONGRESS' BIPARTISAN EFFORTS TO ENACT A BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES $65 BILLION IN NEW FUNDING, AND EXAMINED THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES THIS LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE FOR OPERATORS. THIS SESSION ALSO COVERED THE LATEST FROM THE FCC AND LOOKED AHEAD TO WHAT MAY BE COMING SOON IN BROADBAND REGULATION. ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS ASTOUND BROADBAND CEO JIM HOLANDA AND ACAC EVP & COO JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM ON THEIR INDUCTION INTO THE CABLE TV PIONEERS CLASS OF 2021 THEIR ENTRY BECAME OFFICIAL AT LAST EVENING'S BANQUET DINNER IN ATLANTA PITTSBURGH, OCTOBER 12, 2021 ACA CONNECTS SALUTES ASTOUND BROADBAND CEO JIM HOLANDA ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE CABLE TV PIONEERS CLASS OF 2021, A TRIBUTE TO HOLANDA'S DECADES OF SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE CABLE TV INDUSTRY AS ASTOUND CONTINUES TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS AND SERVICES. "THANKS TO JIM HOLANDA'S LEADERSHIP, ASTOUND BROADBAND IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS ONE THE BEST BROADBAND AND TRADITIONAL VIDEO PROVIDERS IN THE BUSINESS. THROUGH GROWTH AND STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS, ASTOUND IS NOW THE SIXTH-LARGEST CABLE AND BROADBAND PROVIDER IN THE COUNTRY, WITH ABOUT 1 MILLION CUSTOMERS. LAST DECEMBER, TRADE PUBLICATION MULTICHANNEL NEWS NAMED HOLANDA ITS 2020 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR," ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA SAID. "CLEARLY, I AM THE LUCKIEST CABLE TV INSTALLER IN AMERICA TO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OVER THESE LAST THREE-PLUS DECADES," HOLANDA SAID IN HIS INDUCTION COMMENTS, OFFERING SPECIAL THANKS PATRIOT MEDIA CHAIRMAN STEVEN J. SIMMONS. JOINING HOLANDA IN THE CLASS OF 2021 WAS ACA CONNECTS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM, WHO JOINED ACAC IN FEBRUARY 2020 AND HELPED THE ORGANIZATION RAPIDLY NAVIGATE THE COVID-19 HEALTH EMERGENCY, WHICH REQUIRED THE ENTIRE NATION TO ADOPT INNOVATIVE METHODS IN MAINTAINING SERVICE TO AMERICAN CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELIANT ON BROADBAND SERVICE TO WORK FROM HOME, TAKE CLASSES ONLINE AND ENJOY STREAMING CONTENT ON THEIR DEVICES. GEN. COLIN POWELL: A GREAT AMERICAN JOURNEY PITTSBURGH, OCTOBER 18, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF GEN. COLIN POWELL: "AMERICANS WILL REMEMBER GEN. COLIN POWELL FOR A LONG TIME AS A MODEL SOLDIER, DIPLOMAT, WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR AND A VOICE OF WISDOM AND REASON WHO REASSURED THE COUNTRY THAT IT CAN MEET ANY CHALLENGE BY LIVING UP TO ITS BEST IDEALS. GEN. POWELL LEAVES A REMARKABLE RECORD THAT WE ARE PROUD TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE AS SO MANY OTHERS AROUND THE NATION ARE PROPERLY DOING TODAY. "WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS FOR GEN. POWELL'S FAMILY, INCLUDING NCTA-THE INTERNET & TELEVISION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL POWELL, ON THE LOSS OF THIS FINE MAN. THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT AMERICA IS A GREAT COUNTRY BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE GEN. POWELL LED HER WITH UNSELFISH DEVOTION." ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS THE HOUSE CAREER OF REP. MIKE DOYLE PITTSBURGH, OCTOBER 18, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE DECISION BY REP. MIKE DOYLE (D-PA.) TO NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2022: "PROUD OF HIS PITTSBURGH ROOTS AND DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF HIS CONSTITUENTS, REP. MIKE DOYLE WAS GREATLY ADMIRED AND RESPECTED BECAUSE HE ALWAYS MADE CLEAR THAT HIS CHIEF LOYALTY WAS SIMPLY TO BE THE BEST PUBLIC SERVANT HE COULD BE. WE APPRECIATE THAT REP. DOYLE TOOK THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND OUR ISSUES AND ALLOW ACA CONNECTS TO INTERACT IN POSITIVE WAYS WITH HIS HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE MOST RECENTLY IN JUNE, 2019, WHEN ACA CONNECTS CHAIRMAN PATRICIA JO BOYERS TESTIFIED ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SOON BECOME THE TELEVISION VIEWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2019 (TVPA). THAT LAW TOOK A BIG STEP FORWARD IN RECTIFYING DISPARITIES IN RETRANSMISSION CONSENT LAW HARMFUL TO THE CUSTOMERS OF SMALLER MULTICHANNEL VIDEO PROGRAMMING DISTRIBUTORS (MVPDS). "IT'S BEEN MY GREAT PRIVILEGE TO KNOW REP. DOYLE OVER THE YEARS AND TO WITNESS THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT HE DEVOTED TO ENSURING THAT ALL AMERICANS CAN BENEFIT FROM ACCESS TO ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES. AHEAD OF MANY OTHERS, REP. DOYLE UNDERSTOOD THAT SPREADING THE WONDERS OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS COAST-TO-COAST REQUIRED A PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP, AND ACA CONNECTS WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP REP. DOYLE ACHIEVE SHARED GOALS." ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S TECH AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY NOMINATIONS PITTSBURGH, OCTOBER 26, 2021 IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S NOMINATION OF FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ACTING CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL AS PERMANENT CHAIR, GIGI SOHN AS FCC COMMISSIONER, AND ALAN DAVIDSON AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION AT THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MATTHEW M. POLKA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ACA CONNECTS: "ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NOMINATIONS TO SENIOR TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY POSITIONS. "IN ACTING CHAIR JESSICA ROSENWORCEL, THE FCC WILL HAVE A HIGHLY QUALIFIED LEADER WITH UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE: AS A FORMER SENIOR STAFFER AT THE FCC, AS A SENIOR SENATE AIDE, AND WITH NEARLY A DECADE AS AN FCC COMMISSIONER. THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE HAS CHAMPIONED ISSUES THAT ARE SO VITAL TO OUR NATION, ESPECIALLY IN THIS MOMENT, FROM PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME CONSUMER ACCESS TO BROADBAND TO BRIDGING THE 'HOMEWORK GAP' TO SUPPORTING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES."GIGI SOHN BRINGS NOT JUST A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS, TECH, AND MEDIA POLICY, BUT ALSO A TRUE PASSION FOR THE ISSUES BEFORE THE FCC. SHE HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCATE, SENIOR FCC STAFFER, AND ACADEMICIAN. SHE HAS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT ENSURE EQUITABLE BROADBAND ACCESS FOR ALL AMERICANS, A CONCERN THAT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT. STATEMENT OF ACA CONNECTS REGARDING THE HOUSE PASSAGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION WITH BROADBAND COMPONENT PITTSBURGH, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY ON THE HOUSE PASSAGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION THAT PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO SIGN: "ACA CONNECTS APPRECIATES THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' WORK TO ADDRESS THE BROADBAND NEEDS OF CONSUMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. OUR MEMBER COMPANIES, WHO PROVIDE BROADBAND SERVICE TO URBAN AND RURAL CUSTOMERS IN ALL 50 STATES, KNOW JUST HOW VITAL BROADBAND IS. "THEY HAVE WORKED TO UPGRADE AND EXTEND THEIR NETWORKS TO REACH THE UNSERVED, AND THEY HAVE DEVELOPED PROGRAMS TO CONNECT IN-NEED CONSUMERS. TO THAT END, ACA CONNECTS APPRECIATES THAT THE LEGISLATION TARGETS DEPLOYMENT OF FUNDING IN A TECHNOLOGICALLY NEUTRAL WAY TO WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDEDTO UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREASWITH A ROBUST CHALLENGE PROCESS TO LIMIT OVERBUILDING, AND DEDICATES FUNDS TO GET LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS CONNECTED, GIVING THEM THE CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS THEY NEED FOR SCHOOL, WORK, AND OTHER DAY-TO-DAY NEEDS. "CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS BOTH AN ENORMOUS AND ESSENTIAL UNDERTAKING, AND WE WILL NEED TO ACCESS ALL OUR RESOURCESBOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATEIF WE ARE TO SUCCEED. ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO BEING A PART OF THAT SOLUTION AND PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC POLICY DEBATE." ACA CONNECTS STATEMENT ON FCC ORDER SHORTENING STIR/SHAKEN DEADLINE FOR NON-FACILITIES-BASED VOICE PROVIDERS PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER 10, 2021 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ACA CONNECTS PRESIDENT AND CEO MATTHEW M. POLKA: "ON DECEMBER 10, THE FCC ISSUED AN ORDER SHORTENING THE STIR/SHAKEN IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE BY ONE YEAR, I.E., FROM JUNE 30, 2023, TO JUNE 30, 2022, FOR NON-FACILITIES-BASED SMALL VOICE PROVIDERS. "WITH TODAY'S ORDER, THE FCC HAS TAKEN AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE FIGHT AGAINST UNLAWFUL ROBOCALLS. "ACA CONNECTS APPLAUDS THE FCC FOR ADOPTING A TAILORED APPROACH, CONSISTENT WITH OUR ADVOCACY, THAT TARGETS THOSE PROVIDERS MOST LIKELY TO BE THE SOURCE OF ILLEGAL CALLS WITHOUT SWEEPING IN COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS THAT ARE WORKING HARD TO DELIVER VOICE, BROADBAND, AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH THE FCC, OUR INDUSTRY PEERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO DEFEAT THE ROBOCALLS SCOURGE ONCE AND FOR ALL." FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1A AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE CHAIRPERSON, TREASURER AND TWO (2) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO: - THE APPROVAL OF ANY ACTION FOR WHICH THE NONPROFIT LAW ALSO REQUIRES APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERS; - THE FILING OF VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE WHICH HAS THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD; - THE FIXING OF COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTORS FOR SERVING ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS OR THE ADOPTION OF NEW BYLAWS; - THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF ANY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD WHICH BY ITS EXPRESS TERMS IS NOT SO AMENDABLE OR REPEALABLE; - THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OR THE MEMBERS THEREOF; - THE EXPENDITURE OF CORPORATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AFTER THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NOMINATED FOR DIRECTOR THAN CAN BE ELECTED; OR - WITH RESPECT TO ASSEST HELD IN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE APPROVAL OF ANY SELF-DEALING TRANSACTION AS DEFINED BY SECTION 5728 OF THE NONPROFIT LAW OR ANY SUCCESSOR SECTION THERETO, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. SHALL HAVE ONE (1) CLASS OF VOTING MEMBERS. ONLY CABLE TELEVISION BUSINESSES MAY BECOME VOTING MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS AR A REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS CALLED FOR SUCH PURPOSES OR BY WRITTEN BALLOT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, AT ANY MEETING OF THE MEMBERS WHERE DIRECTORS ARE TO BE ELECTED, EACH MEMBER SHALL DESIGNATE A PROXY TO CAST SUCH MEMBER'S VOTE FOR DIRECTORS AT A MEETING CALLED AND HELD FOR SUCH PURPOSES. AT THE MEETING CALLED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, EACH SUCH PROXY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST THE NUMBER OF VOTES HELD FOR EACH OFFICE OF DIRECTOR TO BE FILLED, WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO CUMULATE VOTES. IN ANY ELECTION OF DIRECTORS BY MEMBERS, THE CANDIDATES RECEIVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES ARE ELECTED. ONLY THOSE PERSONS NOMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THE BYLAWS MAY STAND FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE TREASURER. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EVP OF FINANCE REVIEWS SEVERAL (5 OR MORE) SIMILAR ASSOCIATION FORM 990'S FOR CEO COMPENSATION. THIS INCLUDES ASSOCIATIONS BOTH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE EVP OF FINANCE PURCHASES THE CEO UPDATE SALARY GUIDE FOR NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND NON-PROFITS AND CREATES A COMPENSATION PROPOSAL FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHARES THIS PROPOSAL WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DETERMINES THE CEO'S COMPENSATION. THE EVP OF FINANCE USES THE SAME PROCESS FOR ALL OFFICERS AND PRESENTS THE COMPENSATION SUGGESTIONS TO THE CEO. THE CEO DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION FOR ALL OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. THE COMPENSATION FOR THE REMAINING STAFF MEMBERS IS REVIEWED BY THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION AND IS APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ASSOCIATION'S FORM 1024 AND ANNUAL RETURNS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VII, EMERITUS TRUSTEES: THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SERVE ON THE BOARD OF AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION, INC. WITH NO VOTING RIGHTS: DICK BEARD; PAT THOMPSON; STEVE FRIEDMAN; DOUG FULLER; AND ROBERT GESSNER. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEAR.