Who We Are
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is building a better broadband future for rural America. Proudly representing about 850 independent, family-owned and community-based telecommunications companies, NTCA helps members build and deliver broadband connectivity and operate essential services in rural and small-town communities across the U.S.
NTCA is committed to advancing policies to help connect communities across rural America and advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas and provides educational programming, training and development by publishing comprehensive industry research, conducting in person and virtual events and offering an array of employee benefit programs.
NTCA Membership Map
NTCA represents about 850 independent, community-based broadband providers that promote innovation in rural and small-town America. These small, rural providers serve customers in 44 states, covering approximately 30% of the nation’s landmass. NTCA member companies serve some of the most remote areas of the country, where population density can be less than seven customers per square mile. In these areas, NTCA members have found innovative solutions to provide high-speed, future-proof broadband service.
Know the Facts
Today, the internet powers our modern economy and keeps us connected to our family, friends, school, work and more. Broadband is essential, and NTCA is focused on connecting more people and businesses across rural America to fast, affordable and reliable internet service over future-proof networks.
Did you know that approximately 92% of NTCA members' customers can receive downstream speeds greater than 100 Mbps, and over 79% have access to 1 Gbps or higher? Additional facts about rural America and broadband that may surprise you include:
- Collectively, America’s small, community-based providers contribute billions of dollars into the U.S. economy each year.
- The economic value of broadband access in rural America is enormous. According to a 2024 study from the nonprofit Center on Rural Innovation, rural counties with high broadband adoption rates of over 80% have significant advantages over those with low usage, including 213% higher business growth and 44% higher GDP growth.
- One in five Americans live in rural communities but most rural Americans are not farmers—in fact, fewer than 6% of Americans are employed in agriculture. The largest employment sectors in rural America are education, health care and social assistance.
- Only 11% of internet traffic is carried by wireless networks. The other 90% is supported and carried over wireline or fiber networks.
Helping Rural Communities Grow and Thrive
NTCA members have a vested interest in helping rural communities grow and thrive, as most of them live and raise families in those communities. Through support of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), we work to keep rural America top of mind. From engaging rural youth and providing resources to rural communities to educating consumers and policymakers, FRS programs exist to improve the quality of life in America by advancing an understanding of rural issues.
Since 1994, FRS has worked to help as many people and communities across the nation as possible. We believe that the future of our rural communities is intrinsically linked to the future of our nation as a whole. By investing in rural students through our scholarships and youth programs, enhancing our communities through our grants, and advancing an understanding of rural issues through our educational materials and programming, our impact will only continue to grow.