FCC Broadband Internet Disclosures

The following disclosures are provided in compliance with FCC rules requiring Internet Service Providers to disclose network management practices. These disclosures include Broadband Internet services provided by Valley Electric Association, Inc., (VEA) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Valley Communications Association, LLC (VCA).

VEA/VCA works to provide members and consumers with accessible, easy-to-understand information about the services we provide, so you can make informed decisions about which services best meet your communications needs. To achieve that objective, we have established this page as a single place where consumers and others can access and review the relevant policies, agreements, and other information about our broadband Internet access services.

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) requires that VEA/VCA and other providers of broadband Internet access services disclose certain information regarding those Internet services. The information required for disclosure under the FCC’s rules is found below and in the various policies and documents listed or linked on this page. To assist you in finding the information you’re looking for, we highlight below information that the FCC specifically calls for in the Open Internet Disclosures.

Network Practices

VEA/VCA does not discriminate against lawful Internet content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices. The bullets below provide an overview of VEA/VCA’s network practices with respect to its broadband Internet access services.

  • Blocking
    VEA/VCA does not block or otherwise prevent end user access to lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices. VEA/VCA does engage in reasonable network management practices described below.
  • Throttling
    VEA/VCA does not degrade or impair access to lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, application, service, user, or use of a non-harmful device. VEA/VCA does engage in reasonable network management practices described below.
  • Affiliated Prioritization
    VEA/VCA does not directly or indirectly favor some traffic over other traffic, including through use of techniques such as traffic shaping, prioritization, or resource reservation, to benefit an affiliate.
  • Paid Prioritization
    VEA/VCA does not directly or indirectly favor some traffic over other traffic, including through use of techniques such as traffic shaping, prioritization, or resource reservation, in exchange for consideration, monetary or otherwise.
  • Congestion Management
    VEA/VCA manages its network to deliver the best possible broadband Internet service to all of its members and customers. VEA/VCA uses reasonable network management practices that are consistent with professional and industry standards to insure the best experience possible. VEA/VCA uses various tools and techniques to manage its network, deliver its service, and ensure compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy and the Terms of Service. These tools and techniques are dynamic and can and do change frequently. Network management activities may include identifying and detecting malicious Internet traffic and preventing the distribution of, or inadvertent access to, malware, phishing, viruses, or other harmful code or content.  As the Internet and its related technologies continue to evolve, VEA/VCA’s network management tools will also evolve to deliver an excellent, reliable, and safe experience to all of our members and customers. We will provide updates here as well as other locations if we make significant changes to our network management techniques. VEA/VCA currently does not maintain a separate system to assist with managing times of congestion.
  • Application-Specific Behavior
    VEA/VCA provides its broadband Internet access service customers with full access to all the lawful content, services, and applications that the Internet has to offer. VEA/VCA does not block or rate-control specific protocols or protocol ports, does not modify protocol fields in ways not prescribed by protocol standards, and does not otherwise inhibit or favor certain applications or classes of applications.
  • Device Attachment Rules
    Any Ethernet-capable device or router is approved to access our broadband Internet access service. Devices should be UL certified, FCC certified. Not all devices are guaranteed to be compatible with the VEA/VCA network. Please contact your device manufacturer for compatibility with Ethernet-based broadband Internet service. VEA/VCA reserves the right to prohibit devices from attaching to the network for network management and security reasons.
  • Security
    As stated in the Acceptable Use Policy, it is each customer’s responsibility to ensure the security of its network and equipment and in addition, customers are required to take all necessary steps to secure and manage the use of the Services in such a way to assure that network abuse and/or fraudulent activity is prevented.

Performance Characteristics

  • Service Description
    VEA/VCA may provide, upon request by a subscriber, a detailed summary of its Internet service performance containing information about speed and latency. VEA/VCA has always prided itself on providing state-of-the-art broadband services at the highest possible speeds. It consistently delivers at or above the “provisioned” speed for the particular service tier. VEA/VCA also provides a speed test page, so you can test your connection for yourself.
  • Other Services on Our Network
    VEA/VCA currently provides fixed wireless and Fiber-to-the-Home broadband Internet access, voice services, and certain Metro-Ethernet enterprise business services to its members and customers over the same physical network. Our IP-based voice services and our Metro-Ethernet enterprise business services are not provided over the Internet but are provisioned with separate service capacity and delivered over separate service flows using Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) technology. These services are designed to protect 3/3 the integrity and reliability of those services, while maintaining the integrity of the broadband Internet service, which is delivered on a best-efforts basis.

Commercial Terms

  • Pricing and Other Fees
    VEA/VCA’s broadband Internet access services may be subject to promotional rates. Additional fees, such as for equipment rental, installation, and early termination, may apply. For information about pricing and fees for VEA/VCA’s various tiers of service and all its services, please visit the VCA website at https://valleycom.com.
  • Data Usage Plans
    VEA/VCA does not currently apply any “data caps,” usage thresholds, or any other form of usage-based billing, but reserves the right to do so. VEA/VCA’s privacy policies with respect to Internet service are explained in the Acceptable Use Policy and the Terms of Service.
  • Redress Options
    If you have any questions about these disclosures, cannot find what you are looking for, or have any other concerns about VEA/VCA Internet service, please contact VEA/VCA. VEA/VCA will review and promptly respond to all submissions.