(June 8, 2020) – The community of Fruitland, Idaho today announced that Farmers Mutual Telephone Company (FMTC) was recently named a Smart Rural Community Provider℠ by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA). Smart Rural Communities℠ is a national network of communities powered by innovative rural broadband providers that are building a brighter future for small town America. The program promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, effective education, efficient energy distribution and use, state-of-the-art health care and other important issues for rural America.
In order to receive recognition as a Smart Rural Community Provider℠, FMTC was required to affirm that it offers 25/3 Mbps broadband to at least 50% of its service area; that it has broadband subscription rates of at least 50%; and that it is committed to program principles of collaboration and innovation. As a result of FMTC’s national recognition, Fruitland, Idaho will now be celebrated as a Smart Rural Community® in program materials and online at www.smartruralcommunity.com, joining a national network of similarly innovative communities.
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also recognized Farmers Mutual Telephone Company for this achievement, noting, “We are so excited to welcome another Smart Rural Community Provider℠ into this growing network of innovative broadband providers delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds in some of the most remote and rural communities of our country. I applaud FMTC and Fruitland, Idaho for their commitment to enabling cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.”
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 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.