Independent Video and Broadband Providers Continue to Invest to Meet Customers’ Needs While Staying Focused on Regulatory Developments
PITTSBURGH, PA. and LENEXA, KAN., October 6, 2021 – Independent video and broadband provider heard important messages today on ways to translate vision into action and innovation into progress. They also learned about how important it is to remain vigilant in Washington, D.C., at a time when policymakers remain committed to expanding broadband networks throughout the nation.
All of this took place during day two of this year’s Independent Show, which became a virtual event owing to health-related concern related to COVID-19. Still, show attendees were offered a rich, quality experience that featured insights from business leaders, technology experts, and top-notch regulatory advisors.
“Today was an important one for ACAC and NCTC members because the superb level of information that came their way will definitely assist them in running their businesses going forward, which is really what the Independent Show is all about. I want to give a special shoutout to Land O’Lakes President and CEO Beth Ford for her hard work in expanding broadband connectivity, especially via the American Connection Project,” said Patricia Jo Boyers, who is co-Founder and President of BOYCOM Vision in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Beth Ford is the sister of ACA Connects Board Member Kathy Ford, who is Senior VP of Legal Affairs at WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone.
“Today was a line up our members could really benefit from. It is so important to understand what is going on in Washington D.C. and how it impacts their business. The ACA Connects team ensures there are no surprises and our members are informed.” said NCTC Chairman Brad Mefferd.
The Independent Show, now in its 16th year, is a special event that brings together industry leaders, informative speakers, business vendors and various supporters of the independent video and broadband industry. As in the past, this year’s show was co-sponsored by the National Cable Television Cooperative and ACA Connects-America’s Communications Association.
ACAC and NCTC members are deploying broadband facilities in some the hardest places to reach, lessening the burden on taxpayers to shoulder the cost of closing the digital divide. Nevertheless, Washington, D.C., policymakers are in the process of earmarking billions of dollars for broadband deployment subsidies, and ACAC and NCTC members need to remain vigilant that these dollars are spent wisely, focusing on the 19 million locations that lack access to high-quality service and signing up those with access but who face financial and other hurdles to doing so.
“The final day of the 16th annual Independent Show was filled with content that can help our members with broadband products and services. From key supplier partners like AdTran, CCI Systems and CommScope, we have an enormous amount of bench strength support and value that our members can take advantage of. Also, the managed Wi-Fi Update from NCTC’s Steve Beardslee, VP of Broadband and Video Solutions, gave insight into our important path forward with managed Wi-Fi products with Plume and TP-Link.” said Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC.
“Congress is on the cusp of passing once-in-a-generation legislation designed to close the broadband availability and adoption gaps. As ACAC and NCTC members heard today, ACAC staff and outside advisors are doing everything in their power to ensure that this funding is not squandered, such as providing funding in areas where broadband is already available as a result of private investment,” ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said. “If we are successful, America will be on her way to a writing a major success story.”
Following is a complete rundown of today’s events and web links for additional information:
Keynote Speaker:
- Beth Ford, President & CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc.
ACA Connects Update on New Broadband Programs and Regulations:
- Mike Bowker, Chief Operating Officer, Cable ONE
- Ross Lieberman, SVP Government Affairs, ACA Connects
- Thomas Cohen, Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
- Rhod Shaw, Chairman, Alpine Group
- The Path to Multigigabit Broadband: The Where, Why and When:
Ryan McCowan, CTO Americas
- Todd Gingrass, VP, Solutions Architectures, CCI Systems
- John Ulm, Engineering Fellow, CommScope
- Stephen Hardy, Editorial Director / Associate Publisher Lightwave & Broadband Technology Report
For more details, please visit www.theindependentshow.org
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About the National Cable Television Cooperative: The National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. (NCTC) is a Kansas-based, not-for-profit corporation that operates as a programming, broadband solutions and hardware purchasing organization for its member companies who own and operate cable systems throughout the U.S. and its territories. NCTC seeks to maximize current and future opportunities to ensure the profitability, competitive stature, and long-term sustainability of its member companies. NCTC represents more than 700 small and mid-sized independent cable and broadband operators across the U.S., in programming and technology acquisition. NCTC is actively engaged in helping network providers and suppliers evolve their business models to deploy new video/data solutions to match the changes in the media landscape.
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association – Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 600 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects’ members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their businesses. For more information, visit: https://www.acaconnects.org