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No Government Funded Overbuilds – #Summit2023
No government-funded overbuilds is the message that Patricia (Patty) Jo Boyers has for policymakers and regulators. She explains that it is critical that the tens of billions of dollars of federal funding, such as the $42.5B BEAD program, finance the building of broadband networks for the unserved and underserved; not to locations that already have…
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Finding Common Ground from Common Ground
Neighbors helping neighbors is a necessity in rural America. Simply, there are not enough resources (e.g., the necessity of volunteer fire departments), and it requires a robust community to survive. That’s been one of the lessons from Viodi’s visits to the broadband providers who serve areas where others wouldn’t. Speaking at the ACA Connects Summit,…
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Inspiring Music, Inspiring Message at #RTIME2023
“We’re not just building networks. We’re actually building bridges into our future and ultimately building bridges of freedom.” Mickey Smith, Jr. at NTCA’s RTIME 2023 As the keynote speaker at NTCA’s annual event, Smith encapsulates the importance of NTCA members’ work in the above interview. The connections he made and the stories from growing up…
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The “S” in USF Could Mean Sustainable
A recurring message at NTCA’s 2023 RTIME was the importance of educating policymakers that the current unprecedented capital expenditures in broadband will be for naught if sustainability is not part of the plan. Sustainability, in this context, means the ability to operate and maintain a given network on an ongoing basis. Even though new networks…
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From Marine Biologist to Grassroots Spirit Award Winner – #TIS22
One would not expect a former marine biologist to win the 2022 ACA Connects Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award. But serving local communities, which is the essence of that important award, is in Marty Carollo’s blood. His grandfather brought cable television to his part of “The Equality State” in 1956 and Marty grew up in…
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Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute – #TIS22
This is your warning not to be in the back of the line on Valentine’s Day. This is one takeaway from the above conversation with Dawn McMorrow, NCTC Marketing Director. As a former product manager for a famous greeting card company, McMorrow brings a unique perspective to the holiday that ranks only behind Christmas and…
