At Summit 2025, ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association brought together top policy makers and communications experts with more than 200 rural broadband advocates from across the country.
Here are some of the top moments and highlights:
Senator John Curtis (R-UT) kicked off the morning session and shared how he is leading on solutions to bridge the digital divide in rural and underserved communities.
Read more from Fierce Network’s coverage of the event: U.S. senator touches on the ‘fundamental flaw’ of BEAD.
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington discussed top policy priorities and issues including, spectrum reauthorization, cybersecurity, permitting reforms, pole attachment reforms, and BEAD.
Read more in Communications Daily: “Simington said the FCC could do more on pole attachment reform… ACA Connects President Grant Spellmeyer said FCC action on pole attachments would be the easiest route to make progress on permitting reform, especially once Carr has a fifth commissioner.
Read more in Broadband Breakfast: “On the question of rural broadband, Simington emphasized the importance of broadband in bringing opportunity and industrial growth to currently underserved places. “
Blair Levin, a top Wall Street policy analyst, broke down what he views can get done at the FCC this year and why he defined 2025 as the most consequential year in communications and media policy since the mid-1990s.
Patricia Jo Boyers, President/CEO & Co-Founder of BOYCOM Vision and Chairman of ACA Connects, said, “We’re here to share with leaders and lawmakers what makes America #RuralBroadbandStrong. IT’S US! The hardworking and risk-taking entrepreneurs and small business owners who are putting it all on the line to connect our communities.”
She led a discussion that shined a light on ACA Connects Member companies who are blazing the trial to make America rural broadband strong.
These Member company leaders included, Julie Laulis, President and CEO of Cable One, John Reardon, President and CEO of Schurz Communications, Inc. & Vice Chairman of ACA Connects, and Jeffrey Ross, President of Armstrong Utilities, Inc.
Read in Cablefax: Better BEAD: ACA Connects Members Identify Pain Points, Potential Fixes
C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist joined Lou Borrelli, CEO of the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC), for a fireside chat to discuss the new investments and strategies behind C-SPAN’s refreshed brand, Democracy Unfiltered.
Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) shared his top priorities as the new Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to promote innovation, streamline federal regulations, and bridge the digital divide.
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association –America’s Communications Association – ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 500 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, video, and phone services covering 29.5 million households. ACA Connects Members operate in every state, providing advanced communications to connect homes, companies, main street, schools, hospitals and more. America’s economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA Connects Members, who believe a connected nation is a prosperous nation.