For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. ( February 5, 2015)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, together with the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and other rural-focused organizations, on February 5 held the first Electric-Telco Partnership Summit, bringing together more than 100 operators of rural electric and telecommunications companies to talk about how they can work together to deliver broadband to more communities across rural America.
The summit, held in Washington, D.C., featured panel discussions with executives from rural electric and telecom providers, including leaders of Johnson County REMC (Minnesota), NineStar Connect (Indiana), Arrowhead Electric Cooperative (Minnesota), Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (Alabama) and Consolidated Telephone Cooperative (Minnesota). Discussions focused on how successful partnerships between electric and telecom providers got started, operational challenges that come with working together and regulatory considerations.
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield joined NRTC Chief Executive Officer Tim Bryan in welcoming participants to the inaugural even, and she encouraged conversation among participants during Q&A time. Several attendees remarked during and after the summit that more partnerships between electric and telecom providers may be needed to bring broadband services to communities currently lacking affordable, advanced communications, but the key is creating positive business relationships and communicating with one another frequently.
Fred Johnson, executive vice-president and general manager of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (Rainsville, Ala.), gave some advice to fellow telecom providers looking to create new partnerships with electric providers interested in deploying broadband. “Know your counterparts and always share with them what you're capable of doing,” Johnson said. “Don't assume that your counterparts know what you're doing. Make sure they know.”
Photos from this event are available in the photo gallery.
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.