Rural Telecommunications Congress Videos and Presentations Posted
AUSTIN, May 18, 2015 - The Rural Telecommunications Congress posted the entire video and presentations made at the recent Rural Telecommunications Congress held here last month at the Broadband Communities Summit. The original link to the sessions is at http://www.ruraltelecon.org/2015-rtc-bbc-summit.html
2015 RTC Program Agenda and Session Content
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Digital Nation NTIA-SBI Highlights - session audio
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New Coalition for Local Internet Choice Aims to Spur More High-Speed Municipal Builds
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2014 – While interest in high-bandwidth internet is growing every year, many communities remain unserved because state laws inhibit local networks, according to local broadband activists. That’s why the Coalition for Local Internet Choice launched last month: to demonstrate the importance of giving local communities authority over their own networks. “It’s hard… Keep Reading
How to Tackle Broadband Adoption by the Nation’s Underserved Populations
WASHINGTON, Thursday, July 26, 2012 – Last week, the fourth year of the Broadband Breakfast Club Series came to an end with a timely panel on “Bringing Broadband Adoption to the Nation’s Underserved Population.” Panelists from the private, nonprofit and state government sectors came together to discuss what can be done to promote broadband usage in… Keep Reading
Broadband Lifeline and Connect2Compete Mark A New ‘Broadband Moment’ Around Adoption and Usage
July 12, 2012 – If 2008 marked the dawn of our national “broadband moment,” this summer and fall may well be the beginning of a new era of broadband adoption and usage. A major national initiative, dubbed “Connect2Compete,” is just beginning to find its footing. In a webinar two weeks ago, this collaboration of corporate, philanthropic and community leaders delineated their mission, goals and timetables. It is to use the “power of the internet to improve the lives of low income Americans and their ability to thrive in the global economy.” Additional, the Federal Communications Commission is in the midst of launching an exciting Broadband Lifeline pilot program. This $25 million pilot program could help pave the way for a Universal Broadband Fund. Such a fund could do for internet connectivity what the Universal Service Fund, in an earlier era, did for making the telephone an anchor of American life. [...] Keep Reading
Leveraging Funding from Government Programs, Incentives to Share Information and Faster Broadband Speeds are Key to Maximizing Health IT Broadband
WASHINGTON, Friday March 23, 2012 – On Tuesday March 20th federal regulatory administrators, state health and broadband officials and private health IT and technology experts met in Washington to discuss “Maximizing US Health IT and Broadband Investment” at BroadbandBreakfast.com’s monthly breakfast and panel discussion. In the session, the speakers agreed that there is both humanitarian and… Keep Reading
Spectrum Bill and Broadband Breakfast Pre Holiday Wrap Up
WASHINGTON December 14, 2011 – The FCC, the Hill and the Telecom industry has been busy over the last couple of weeks. Here is a wrap-up of the most important events. House Passes Spectrum Auction Incentive Bill After a 234-193 vote, the House Payroll Tax Extension Bill incorporated the full version of the Republican Incentive… Keep Reading
States Take Aim at USF and ICC reform
WASHINGTON December 8, 2011 – Wednesday TheHill.com reported that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission filed suit against the Federal Communications Commission for it’s Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reform the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation regime. The suit, filed in the 3rd Circuit, alleges that the FCC order is “arbitrary and capricious”… Keep Reading
Broadband Breakfast Serves a Thanksgiving Leftover Wrap-Up
WASHINGTON, November 25 2011 – As we all sit and digest post Thanksgiving, Broadband Breakfast can finally wrap up some stories that we have been interested in over the past couple of weeks but have not had time to get around to. We wanted to draw attention to a couple of the stories below and… Keep Reading
SmartGrid: Moving Toward Regulatory Uniformity
Expert Contributors: Stephanie A. Joyce, Esq. and Stephen Thompson, Esq. WASHINGTON, November 18, 2011 – The development of SmartGrid technology, which generally refers to devices that monitor, and possibly control, energy use via telecommunications-enabled devices, is proceeding apace, though not as quickly as many had hoped or anticipated. At the most recent Broadband Breakfast that… Keep Reading
Driving Energy Smart Grid Innovation through Broadband
WASHINGTON, Wednesday November 15, 2011 - November’s breakfast and panel discussion drew a packed crowd Tuesday morning as industry lawyers, lobbyists and experts filed into Clyde’s to hear from the Whitehouse, telecoms, energy management companies and utilities about the challenges and efficiencies that lies ahead with “The Smart Grid and Broadband.” Event Highlights "The Smart Grid and Broadband" from BroadbandBreakfast.com Complete Program "The Smart Grid and Broadband" from BroadbandBreakfast.com Nick Sinai, Senior Advisor to White House’s Chief Technology Officer gave the opening remarks at the breakfast. Sinai focused on what the Obama administration is doing to support, secure and modernize the energy system for the country. He noted that although the current grid has expanded, it is fundamentally still an analog grid and has been that way since the beginning of the 20th century. Keep Reading
Senate Hears ‘Consensus Framework’ Proposal and Concerns for Universal Service Reform
Thursday October 13th 2011 – As BroadbandBreakfast.com gears up for our panel on “Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Progress?” we have been taking some notes on the FCC’s efforts to reform the Universal Service Fund and listened in on Wednesday’s Senate Commerce Hearing on “Universal Service Reform – Bringing Broadband to… Keep Reading
BroadbandBreakfast.com Hosts Broadband Breakfast Club Event “Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Progress?” Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, Thursday, October 13th, 2011 – The internet and intellectual property policy news and events service BroadbandBreakfast.com will hold its October 2011 Broadband Breakfast Club event: “Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Progress?” on Tuesday, October 18th 2011 at Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 707 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 from 8… Keep Reading
Expert Opinion: Broadband or Bust?: Pike Place Market Meets the Information Superhighway
The goal of connecting consumers with businesses has remained unchanged for thousands of years. But the manner in which that connection with customers is made evolves with technology, time and culture. Broadband-based e-Commerce is just the latest variation. To understand the challenges that businesses face in developing a more technologically savvy business and the benefits to those that are further along in the process, we surveyed 77 vendors in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, a historic tourist spot and favorite local attraction that attracts 10 million visitors annually. Keep Reading
California State Assembly Passes Online Sales Tax Bill
WASHINGTON June 7, 2011- The California State Assembly passed a bill last week that would require online retailers such as Amazon to collect state sales taxes on all goods the site sells within the state. The bill is similar to those that a number of other states and the U.S. Congress are currently debating. Keep Reading
Rural Provider Groups Suggest Solutions on Universal Service Reform
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2011 - The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO), in conjunction with 30 state and regional associations released to the FCC their recommendations to fix the Universal Service Fund on Monday. Keep Reading
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Holds Broadband Summit
WASHINGTON March 30, 2011- The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition assembled broadband stimulus award winners and government officials for their inaugural broadband summit on Tuesday to share solutions and success in solving digital literacy and adoption issues. The SHLBC, formed two years ago, comprises libraries, hospitals, schools, non-profit groups and corporations that seek to further broadband availability for community anchor institutions. Keep Reading
NTIA Previews National Broadband Map
WASHINGTON February 17, 2011 - Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, Lawrence Strickling, presented a brief preview of the national broadband map and an update on the activities of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the annual winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners on Wednesday. Keep Reading
Connect America Fund Threatens Rural States’ Telephone Subsidies
WASHINGTON, November 29, 2010 - As the next phases of the National Broadband Plan draw near, states with significant rural area have expressed concern that they may lose funds vital to affordable telephone service. Keep Reading
Report: Small Businesses Lack Broadband Choice, Competition
WASHINGTON, November 16, 2010 – Small businesses want choice and competition in the broadband service market, according to a new government report, but unfortunately they aren’t getting either. Keep Reading
NTIA Gives $6.1 Million in Grants to North Carolina, Washington
WASHINGTON, September 16, 2010 - The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Thursday announced two American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments, totaling $6.1 million in grants, to North Carolina and Washington. Keep Reading
Vilsack Announces $518 Million in Broadband Grants
WASHINGTON, September 13, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced 43 new broadband grants across 27 states. Overall, these grants will receive $518 million in government funding and $34.1 million in private investment. Keep Reading
Hawaii Wins $35.9 Million in BTOP Funds
WASHINGTON, September 13, 2010 - Hawaii has won broadband grants worth $35.9 million. The funds largely will be distributed to the University of Hawaii system. Keep Reading
Verizon Seeks to Offer an LTE Network in Alaska
WASHINGTON, August 30, 2010 - A recent filing by Verizon to the Federal Communications Commission shows that the firm may set up a long-term evolution network in Alaska. The filing was an application for the acquisition of the 700 megahertz band from Triad Keep Reading
FCC Heads to L.A. to Boost Broadband Awareness Among Asian Communities
WASHINGTON, August 24, 2010 - The Federal Communications Commission is headed out to Los Angeles next week to host a forum, a consumer awareness Fair and release translations of the National Broadband Plan's executive summary in six Asian languages. Keep Reading
California Rolls Out Telehealth Network
WASHINGTON, August 23, 2010 – The state of California last week officially launched its Telehealth Network, which is funded by $30 million in federal, state and private money. Keep Reading
Copps Takes Broadcasting, Cable and More Out to the Woodshed
WASHINGTON, August 20, 2010 - Michael Copps, a commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission, spoke in Minneapolis Thursday at a public hearing on the future of the internet, touting the important of broadband to the future of the United States and slamming the broadcasting and cable industries for bad behavior. Keep Reading
Commerce, Agriculture Departments Announce $1.8 Billion in New Broadband Grants
WASHINGTON, August 18, 2010 - The departments of Agriculture and Commerce announced a new set of broadband grants totaling $1.8 billion across 37 states. The 94 projects announced include the first satellite projects under this grant system. Keep Reading
New Mexico to Receive $74.4 Million in Broadband Grants
WASHINGTON, August 16, 2010- New Mexico entities received a $10.6 million broadband stimulus grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and support for a $63.8 million project from the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture. The NTIA grant will be given to North Central New Mexico Economic Development District to deploy a middle-mile project across three counties and five tribal areas. The project will directly serve 123 community anchor institutions, 19,227 homes and 1,332 businesses. "Middle mile" projects aim to expand the availability of broadband interconnections to companies and organizations that offer service to end-users. Keep Reading
Opelika Votes to Create Municipal Network
WASHINGTON August 11, 2010- The Alabama town of Opelika has decided to set up its own cable television and internet network. Keep Reading
GAO: Broadband Oversight Agencies Face Risks Due to Lack of Resources
WASHINGTON, August 9, 2010 - The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Rural Utilities Service are doing a pretty good job awarding broadband stimulus funding, although both agencies face risks as the Sept. 30 deadline nears for doling out the money. Keep Reading
TDS Wins 39 of 46 DSL Projects
WASHINGTON August 5, 2010- Wednesday’s announcement by the Department of Agriculture included 44 DSL projects, of which 39 were given to a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems (TDS). Keep Reading
Vilsack Announces Funding of 126 Broadband Projects
WASHINGTON August 4, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the funding of 126 new broadband projects with a funding total of $1.2 billion. The projects will span 38 states and a number of Native American tribal areas. Keep Reading
Rockefeller Attacks FCC, Calls for Change
WASHINGTON, August 4, 2010 –Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) attributed the aftermath of the Big Branch Explosion in West Virginia to “a troubling lack of communications facilities in our rural communities.” The cause of this void, Rockefeller argued, was the Federal Communications Commission’s model for reaching universal service. Keep Reading
WISPA Tackles Key Issues at Summer Meeting in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, July 30, 2010 - The Wireless Internet Service Providers’ Association took the opportunity to address key issues of concern to its members at its summer meeting in St. Louis this month. Keep Reading
Vermont Debuts Trial of Rural Broadband System
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2010 – This Monday, the architects of Vermont’s experimental rural fiber network, the East Central Vermont Community Fiber Network, announced that financing for the project was “well under way.” Keep Reading
Maryland Takes Proactive Stance on Health IT
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2010 – Following a recent roundtable with health industry leaders, experts, and state officials, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley declared an intention to increase Maryland’s role in the development of Health-related technology. “Advancing our vision for Health IT will further this progress, and help us advance toward our goals for creating and saving jobs, and improving the quality of care in our State while reigning in costs,” said Governor O’Malley. Keep Reading
Kansas Governor Establishes a Broadband Advisory Task Force
WASHINGTON July 19, 2010 – Governor Mark Parkinson has established a 24 member advisory group to work with Connect Kansas to implement various broadband initiatives. The new group, called the Kansas Broadband Advisory Task Force, will develop a set of recommendations to help support statewide availability in accordance to the National Broadband Plan. The state has yet to receive any grants from the Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program but it did receive $2 million to conduct mapping activities. Keep Reading
Trade Groups Urge Senate to Fully Fund Broadband
WASHINGTON July 15, 2010- The National Association of Telecommunications and Advisors (NATOA) and the National Association of Counties have sent a letter to Senators Reid, Durbin, Inouye, Rockefeller and Kerry urging them to prevent the House from rescinding broadband funding. Keep Reading
North Carolina Rejects Moratorium on Municipal Broadband
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2010- On July 11 the North Carolina House of Representatives put an end to a bill that would ban communities from installing their own broadband infrastructure. In the last year, several towns and cities built their own Fiber to the Home networks. The networks in North Carolina generally provide faster connections at… Keep Reading
Cruizo Works With Three California Counties to Build Fiber Network
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2010 – Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties want $43 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration fund for high-speed internet. Keep Reading