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Bigger, Better Broadband in Bemidji & Beyond
A number 8 ranking by PCMag as one of the best places for remote work in 2021 should be no surprise to those familiar with the Bemidji, MN region. Its member-owned, broadband provider, Paul Bunyan Communications,, was one of the first U.S. operators to deploy fiber to the home (FTTH). By 2014 all of its…
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Public-Private Partnerships for Broadband & Beyond
Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) has been at the forefront of innovative broadband community partnerships in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the past decade. Their partnerships do not stop where the fiber ends, however. In this ViodiTV Real-Time Conversation, we learn from CTC CEO, Kristi Westbrock, about what it takes to have successful partnerships with…
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The Power and Force of Today – 2017 MTA Annual Convention
If last night’s kick-off reception is an indication, this year’s Minnesota Telecom Alliance’s Annual Convention and Conference is off to a great start. In the above interview, MTA’s president and CEO, Brent Christensen provides a preview of the event that is taking place today and tomorrow. He hints at some of the changes on the exhibit…
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Fiber to the Schools Districts & Libraries
Being ahead of the curve was the motivation for bringing gigabit fiber to 140+ schools and libraries in northwest Minnesota indicates Brian Crommett Sales and Service manager for 702 Communications. In the above interview, Crommett describes a consortium of independent telcos, Northwest Minnesota Special Access (NMSA), that have partnered to create a 2,500+ mile fiber…
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A Service Provider of Last Resort
The key to bringing broadband to rural areas, particularly where it is difficult to justify on an economic basis, is local leadership. The necessary leadership includes multiple people from organizations that include telecommunications, financial and the governing entities. In the above interview, filmed at NTCA’s 2015 RTIME and originally aired the 2015 MTA Convention and…
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Smartly Connecting Rural Cooperatives
On the surface, the Smart Rural Community® Showcase Award from NTCA is about how an operator mixes bandwidth and technology to create new opportunities for their community. The award is more than these elements, however, as it is also a reflection of the operator’s initiative and their “smarts” to continue to find ways to make their communities relevant…
