Press release provided by Bascom Communications Arlington, Va., (9/27/18) – Bascom Communications Inc. was today recognized by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America, as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider for delivering gigabit broadband speeds and enabling technological innovation in the Bascom and surrounding communities. As a Certified Gig-Capable Provider, Bascom Communications joins a national campaign to build awareness and industry recognition of community-based telecom providers that have built communications networks capable of delivering Internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is 100 times faster than those currently available in many U.S. households. Bascom Communications also received tools to promote itself as a Gig-Capable Provider in the Seneca County and will be recognized in NTCA media, on the NTCA website, and during association conferences and events. “I applaud Bascom Communications for its commitment to delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds—an accomplishment worthy of much praise considering the unique and challenging circumstances small, community-based telecommunications providers operate under every day in serving some of our country’s most rural and remote communities,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “By building a gigabit-capable network, Bascom has not only overcome these challenges, but also shattered conventional benchmarks for broadband speed to enable cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their communities, region and nationwide.” To achieve certification, telecommunications companies must show that gigabit technology is currently commercially available within 95% of one or more exchanges within its serving territory and that such service can be provided without new trenching or stringing new aerial facilities. This statement must be confirmed by a letter from an engineering firm or other independent source involved in the company’s network planning, deployment or operation. More information about the NTCA Gig-Capable Provider certification program is available at www.ntca.org/gigcertified. About Bascom Communications Bascom Communications is a progressive cooperative that continues to be a technological and service leader in the area since they were formed in 1906. Bascom Communications is made up of four companies, Bascom Mutual Telephone Co., Bascom Advanced Services, Inc., BTC Multimedia, LLC, and Bascom Cellular, Inc. All of their wired customers, business and residential, have a fiber optic connection directly into their premises from a local and caring provider. Bascom Communications offers high quality telephone service, Fiber TV, Accelerate high-speed Internet access, security and personal home safety, Ethernet transport, Wireless Internet with LTE, along with many other services to make your communications experience enjoyable, easy, and affordable. Their Accelerate Full Throttle Gigabit service was the first in Northwest Ohio when launched in May of 2017. They continue to broaden their profile and reach to be able to offer the most to their customers now and into the future. Visit them at www.bascomtelephone.com. About NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture, and education and contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.