Closing Digital Divide, Eliminating Unnecessary Regulations Garner Early Attention Under Agency's New Leader

PITTSBURGH, February 16, 2018 - The American Cable Association is pleased to announce that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai - who has put closing the digital divide and eliminating unnecessary regulations at the top of his work agenda - will be a keynote speaker at ACA's 25th Anniversary Summit on March 20-22 in Washington D.C.

Chairman Pai was designated FCC Chairman by President Donald J. Trump in January, 2017. Last October, Chairman Pai won Senate confirmation to a new, five-year term. He had previously served as a Commissioner at the FCC, appointed by then-President Barack Obama and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in May, 2012.

"We are honored to have Chairman Pai on the ACA Summit stage to address our members for the second year in a row. His leadership is recognized as pivotal to the continued success of broadband deployment in rural America," ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said. "Chairman Pai has pursued an agenda during his tenure at the FCC that includes promoting infrastructure investment and innovation and reducing regulatory burdens. This year, at our 25th Anniversary Summit, we look forward to hearing from the Chairman about his continued focus on encouraging broadband deployment. Moreover, we look forward to getting a preview of the year ahead and having a conversation about other matters important to the cable industry."

Chairman Pai is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, March 21, from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Over the past year, Chairman Pai has advanced a forward-looking agenda by promoting investment in broadband networks. He has shown commitment to seeing broadband extend into unserved areas; eliminating barriers that hinder private investment; and ensuring that government support is distributed efficiently in areas that would most benefit.

Chairman Pai's regulatory philosophy is intended to ensure that regulations will result in more innovation, more investment, better products and services, lower prices, more job creation, and faster economic growth.  

The ACA Summit is a truly special event that allows small and midsize cable operators that connect hometown America to engage with leading lawmakers and regulators as well

as media representatives that report on communications policy in Washington, D.C.  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 Federal Communications Commission.

The theme for this year's ACA Summit is "Standing The Test Of Time," a statement indicative of the endurance and dedication shown by independent operators over many years in creating a collective voice in Washington. Over the course of ACA's history, the independent cable community always embraced the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, who said, "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."

The ACA Summit website includes event details and secure online registration. Please visit the ACA Summit 2018 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 includes the annual "fly-in" to Washington with its members and, as such, will use the Twitter hashtag #Summit25 for all social media about the event. You can also track ACA Summit news on Twitter by following @ACASummit

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