Rural Broadband Today is a new podcast focused on one of the most important issues facing Rural America. It tells the stories of those working to bring broadband internet access within reach of every citizen. This interview-style show presents conversations with elected officials, industry experts and business leaders at the forefront of America’s efforts to solve the rural broadband challenge.
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As far as electric utilities go, Jefferson PUD is relatively young. That hasn't stopped them from taking some unique steps to bring broadband to rural and geographically challenging areas of Northwest Washington.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Rural broadband build-outs by electric cooperatives have been remarkably successful, according to a recent report from NRTC and NRECA. Despite rising labor and material costs, most co-ops report higher than expected take rates and a 9% internal rate of return. Notably, among the 88 co-ops surveyed, serving their community was the biggest motivation…
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Even with the huge amount of funding coming in to expand broadband, Jordana Barton-Garcia says impoverished regions like tribal lands, the Mississippi Delta, the border region of Texas and central Appalachia could still be left on the wrong side of the digital divide if policymakers and ISPs don't focus on digital equity.…
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While broadband providers enthusiastically welcome government funding to build and expand networks, Vantage Point’s Jeff Smith details some of the transparency requirements that come with it.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Implementing BEAD & Digital Equity Programs in Tennessee, With Paige Shapiro and Carrie Huckeby
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In this crossover episode with “Lead Tennessee Radio,” Paige Shapiro, Tennessee’s federal program officer for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity programs, discusses how these programs aim to ensure all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital …
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GUMBO is more than just the best new acronym in the industry. The program has catapulted Louisiana's broadband office forward into a leading role across the country.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Texas has seen great strides in expanding broadband infrastructure across the state. However, challenges with changing legislation, geography, supply chain issues and funding are hindering the important work. In this episode, Mark Seale, executive director of the Texas Telephone Association, and Craig Cook, general manager at HCTC, discuss these ch…
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Looking Back on a Ten-Year Electric-Telco Broadband Partnership in Minnesota, With John Twiest
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John Twiest, CEO of Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, discussed a decade old partnership Arrowhead has with CTC to provide broadband in rural Minnesota.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Fred Johnson, CEO of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, discusses how FTC expanded into surrounding cities to help fund the fiber build in its cooperative service area.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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The path forward for efficient and effective development of broadband in rural America depends largely on the accuracy and completeness of maps that depict the unserved and underserved areas of the country. Before becoming Vice President of Government Solutions at LightBox, Bill Price headed up Georgia’s ambitious mapping program. He joins “Rural B…
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John Greene, CEO of New Lisbon Telephone Company, co-led a session at the 2021 Fiber Connect conference discussing rural broadband challenges. In this episode, John points out several problems with providing broadband to rural communities, including obstacles and issues at the local, state and federal levels.…
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Building a fiber network is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Kara Mullaley, Corning’s market development manager, was a 2021 Fiber Connect conference panelist on the topic of "Rural Electric Utilities Choose Their Own Broadband Adventure." In this episode, Kara recaps key issues that new ISPs should consider when choosing their own broadband adven…
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Local power companies across seven states make up the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association — and many of them are expanding their services to offer broadband to their consumers. Doug Peters, president and CEO of TVPPA, joined us at Fiber Connect 2021 to discuss how local power companies are improving the quality of life in rural communities th…
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Cullman Electric Cooperative launched Sprout Fiber in 2020. Mark Freeman, Cullman’s manager of network operations, was a 2021 Fiber Connect conference panelist on the topic of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Lessons Learned from Network Operators." In this episode, Mark discusses Sprout’s successes, plus challenges that other cooperatives looking …
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Download the free white paper at frs.org.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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In this interview, the last in a special four-part series sponsored by Corning, Josh Seidemann (VP of policy at NTCA) discusses the exceptional work of the broadband providers who received the 2020 Smart Rural Community Showcase Award: Hill Country Telephone Cooperative, Jefferson Telecom, LightStream and Mountain Telephone. These providers were re…
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In the third episode of this special four-part series sponsored by Corning, Laura Withers (VP of strategic communications at NTCA) and host Stephen V. Smith conclude their discussion of several informative sessions from the 2021 NTCA RTIME Online event. Part 1 (0:42 - 4:25) “Tips on Living in Isolation from the Man Who Spent a Year in Space” with C…
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In episode two of this special four-part series sponsored by Corning, Laura Withers (VP of strategic communications at NTCA) recaps some of the motivating and informative sessions at the 2021 NTCA RTIME Online event. Part 1 (0:39 - 4:00) “Stop Being ‘A’ Leader. Start Being ‘THE’ Leader.” with Ryan Avery Part 2 (4:01 - 11:26) “The Ongoing, Unfolding…
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In this special four-part series sponsored by Corning, Laura Withers (VP of strategic communications at NTCA) recaps some of the motivating and informative sessions at the 2021 NTCA RTIME Online event. Part 1 (0:00 - 07:41) RTIME Virtual Overview with Laura Withers Part 2 (07:42 - 14:08) “It Is About More than Deployment” with Mike Romano, Kathryn …
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Kara Mullaley, Market Development Manager for Emerging Markets at Corning, discusses how broadband partnerships and creative funding opportunities can help bridge the digital divide in rural America.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Todd Cope, CEO of CentralApp, recently took a road trip across the U.S. to bring awareness to CentralApp’s mission — building a tech ecosystem of skilled remote workers in the Appalachian region who can help solve the tech worker deficit currently facing America.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, recently co-authored comments submitted to the FCC encouraging the agency to increase the speeds that qualify as broadband. In this interview, Bolton also shares why he thinks 2021 could be the biggest year ever for fiber investment.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Rep. Robert Aderholt has introduced the EXTEND Act to support rural broadband development. The act would give states more time and flexibility to use coronavirus relief funding to build broadband networks.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Doug Dawson, President of CCG Consulting, joins the show to discuss what the FCC might focus on under a new presidential administration. He also explains how FCC policies are affecting broadband expansion in rural America.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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FTC hosted its 2020 annual meeting in a drive-through format. Brandi Lyles, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations, joined the show to discuss what lessons they learned from the meeting, how they kept members engaged, and the history-making member participation.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Jacy Warrell, Executive Director of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee, joins the show to discuss a few of the interesting and informative sessions at the upcoming RHAT Annual Conference. She also describes how broadband internet access may impact the overall health of a person and community.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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FCC Chairman Ajit Pai discusses the state of rural broadband, the upcoming RDOF auction, the impact of COVID-19, and how rural broadband providers are improving the lives of their customers.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Karen Jackson-Furman, COO of Ardmore Telephone, discusses Ardmore’s recent receipt of a USDA ReConnect grant-loan combo, along with creative ways rural broadband providers can operate more efficiently while improving customer service.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Dr. Christopher Ali, who is an associate professor in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Virginia, discusses the college homework gap and what COVID-19 has taught us about the digital divide.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Candes Spencer, Southeast Regional Sales Manager for Comstar Supply, joins the show to discuss five key technologies — all powered by broadband — that are impacting the future of farming in rural America.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Local Schools and Rural Broadband Providers Working Together on Broadband Access, With Dr. Allen Pratt
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Dr. Allen Pratt, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association, discusses four steps local school districts and broadband providers can take together to ensure every child has the internet access they need to succeed.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Jeff Arnold, Executive Director of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives, discusses the grassroots efforts it took to persuade the Louisiana governor to veto a bill that would have likely limited broadband access to Louisiana's underserved citizens.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Mike Romano, Senior VP of Industry Affairs and Business Development for NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, discusses two distinctive broadband access problems and a five-step plan that could help solve the homework gap schools and students will likely face again this fall.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Fred Johnson, CEO and Executive Vice President of FTC, has been appointed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to the state's Broadband Working Group. This group is tasked with providing input on how to use federal CARES Act money to increase broadband coverage across the state.توسط Pioneer Utility Resources
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Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen Smith: And thank you for listening in to another episode of Rural Broadband Today. And I'm excited to have as our guest on the show Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley. Commissioner, we're delighted to have you on the show. Brandon Presley: I am glad to be with you. I…
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Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen Smith: Hello, I'm Stephen Smith. Welcome to our first episode of our new podcast. Now, some of our listeners may be familiar with the StoryConnect podcast. That's another show produced by WordSouth that focuses on the communications marketing issues. But there are often issue…
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