Infrastructure Week #3 is a Week on the Road

Infrastructure Week #3 is a Week on the Road

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Given that this is another celebration of Infrastructure and the need to make some serious investments as a nation – it feels only fitting that I am on “the road” and am seeing my share of planes, airports, highways, bridges and of course, staying connecting via broadband connectivity.  As far as I’m concerned, every week could be Infrastructure Week! I started off early Monday morning heading to beautiful Omaha, Nebraska which continues to carry the wear and tear of a…

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Mapping 2.0

Mapping 2.0

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How important is mapping our current state of broadband across this country? Important enough to see congressional delegations sending letters to the FCC imploring the Commission to ensure there is accuracy in the collection of voice and broadband service and deployment data to tell the story of where resources should be put moving forward. North Dakota and Kansas have led with full delegation letters expressing concern that the FCC’s current broadband availability maps, particularly when they come to showing fixed…

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USDA Event

USDA Event

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Yesterday, Michael Daniels (one of our many rock star advocates on the team and former USDA staffer) and I attended an event at USDA that was hosted by the Wall Street Journal.  While the details of the event were a tad fuzzy, I’m never one to turn down an invitation to hear what is top of mind for Secretary Perdue.  It wasn’t until we were in the cab and the latest iteration of the invitation was sent that we saw…

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What’s New For FirstNet and NTCA Members

What’s New For FirstNet and NTCA Members

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I spent the early part of this week in the Windy City at NTCA’s Technology and Business Conference.  While I think that we still have work to do to reach out to the CTO’s, operations folks and network managers within our member’’s systems to ensure that even more of our member companies can take advantage of not only the timely topics that cover the range for those involved in the tech or business side of rural broadband business (or both!)…

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Rural Network Deployment is Key for First Responders

Rural Network Deployment is Key for First Responders

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Given their steadfast commitment to public safety, first responders appreciate the importance of a ubiquitous and advanced wireless broadband network in urban and rural areas alike. Indeed, rural consumers have unique public safety needs, from devastating forest fires, floods and tornadoes, to concerns related to military and border facilities. Fortunately, the governing authority overseeing the establishment of a nationwide public safety broadband network (FirstNet) is committed to meeting the communications needs of all first responders – regardless of where they…

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Before There Was Twitter, There Was Telco: NTCA Launches Its 2019 Throwback Campaign!

Before There Was Twitter, There Was Telco: NTCA Launches Its 2019 Throwback Campaign!

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This week we gathered in Washington, D.C., to champion the success of rural broadband providers expanding their reach with the support of good public policies and to advocate for all the good work our member companies do. We heard from many speakers who touched on issues important to our members like broadband mapping, telehealth, and the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, announced last Friday. We also celebrated our strong legacy of success and commitment to rural America through service excellence. To further that…

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A Few Days On Capitol Hill

A Few Days On Capitol Hill

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This week saw the annual return of NTCA members to pound the pavement of Capitol Hill.  I did have to convince a few folks that even without Congress in session this week, coming to our nation’s capital and being able to share the story of rural broadband innovation (and thank congressional staffers for all of their efforts over the course of the past year) was certainly worth the trip!  I certainly hope they felt the value when they flew out…

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Big Day For Moving Rural Telecommunications Forward

Big Day For Moving Rural Telecommunications Forward

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Thankfully today is Friday, April 12th and not April 1st.  There are so many good things happening that I simply want to ensure that there are no April Fool’s shenanigans going on! We started the day with a call initiated by the White House hosting FCC Chairman Pai who shared that later in the day he would be heading to the White House for a briefing on 5G as well as a new rural broadband funding initiative being rolled out….

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Getting Ready to Hit the Hill!

Getting Ready to Hit the Hill!

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Next week is NTCA’s annual pilgrimage up to Capitol Hill and a prime opportunity to share their stories of how they are continuing their broadband builds in the rural parts of our country.  I know some folks are bummed that Congress will be on recess that week but honestly, it’s a wonderful opportunity to spend even more time with the key congressional staffers from the offices of these elected officials and to dig a little bit deeper into the issues…

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Stories of Innovation

Stories of Innovation

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Just sharing one of our stories of innovation that our team has put together based on a wonderful collaboration between the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association, Nelson Communications – one our mutual members, and our wonderful associate members who support our Smart Rural Community Collaboration Challenge grant program.  I love the continued focus on how broadband can change the lives of rural Americans. Nelson Communications Cooperative (Ntec; Durand, Wis.) is on a mission to confront senior citizens’ loneliness in order to…

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