Tennessee Telecom Association

Consider Broadband When You Go To The Polls

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At the risk of sounding cliché, I’m going to join the chorus of people encouraging Tennesseans to make their voices heard by voting in the primaries and general elections this year.

But as the executive director of the Tennessee Telecommunications Association, I’ll also urge our members to consider the voices that best represent support for TTA members in efforts to expand rural broadband in Tennessee.

In this issue of our newsletter, we’ve included the relevant dates for elections and voter registration. While these dates cover state and national races, there are numerous local races in cities and counties from Memphis to Mountain City.

Since TTA doesn’t traditionally endorse candidates, I’m not going to recommend how you should vote. I believe voting is a very personal decision and one I hope you’ll make with significant consideration.

What I will ask is that you take opportunities to make rural broadband an issue with candidates during this campaign season. Whether the candidates come by your office or groups host candidate forums in your area, I’d urge you to bring up the expansion of rural broadband. Help them understand TTA members are the state’s broadband experts with decades of experience.

Communicate to them that TTA members must be an important part of solving the state’s connectivity issues.

As we’ve seen in recent years, decisions made in Nashville can directly create or destroy opportunities for TTA members around the state. No matter who wins the races this fall, TTA and its members will only benefit from having an informed and aware assembly when the legislature convenes in 2019.

Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant Applications Due Oct. 11

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With the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act’s second round of grants, members of the Tennessee Telecommunications Association will continue to play an integral role as broadband access expands.

“I’ve said for years that the challenge of bringing broadband to all Tennesseans would involve a multiprong solution, but that TTA members should be at the center of that,” says Levoy Knowles, executive director of the TTA.

Grants for about $45 million over three years and tax credits for service providers made the first round of grants a success, Knowles says. In the second round, the maximum grant request is again $2 million. And the grant can cover as much as 50 percent of eligible project expenses.

The Broadband Accessibility Grant program is designed to offset capital expenses in the deployment of broadband in unserved areas. The goal of the program is to bring broadband to all Tennesseans and to promote practices that increase broadband deployment.

More than half the grants awarded so far have gone to TTA members. “We’re encouraging our TTA members to apply for these grants and receive more funding as it becomes available,” Knowles says.

Grant applications are due by Oct. 11, and there are a few changes in the guidelines. Grant recipients will be announced in February 2019.

Geoffrey Starks Nominated To Fill FCC Seat

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The President has nominated Geoffrey Starks to fill the open FCC Commission seat created with the departure of Mignon Clyburn.

Starks, an assistant chief in the FCC’s enforcement bureau and a Democrat, was recommended by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The five-member commission is appointed by the President, but no more than three commissioners may be from the same party. Traditionally the President honors the wishes of the minority leader.

After the nomination, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield said, “NTCA congratulates Geoffrey Starks on his nomination to serve as FCC Commissioner. His experience at the FCC and clear, long-standing commitment to public service will suit him well in tackling the range of important issues faced by the agency. NTCA and its membership look forward to working with Mr. Starks once he’s confirmed to continue responding to consumer needs and advancing our nation’s broadband goals.”

Clyburn, a Democrat, ended eight years on the commission this spring. During her tenure, Clyburn focused on the needs of low-income and minority communities.

Follow the story:

Mignon Steps Down

Trump Grants Democrats’ Request

Filling A Vacant Democrat Seat

Meet Geoffrey Starks

Calix And MACC Announce Conferences

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MACC Billing and Technology Conference

Mid America Computer Corporation (MACC) has scheduled its 2018 conference for two sessions in September in Nebraska. At this event, MACC clients will have the opportunity to learn new skills related to MACC products and network with their peers in the telecom industry.

Session One: September 5-7
Session Two: September 10-12
Omaha, Nebraska

Click here for details and registration.

Calix ConneXions 2018

Calix has announced that its ConneXions conference will return to Las Vegas at the end of October. ConneXions is where pioneers and thought leaders come to debate, collaborate and learn about the latest innovations that winning service providers are using to evolve their business models.

Calix ConneXions
October 27-30
Las Vegas, NV

Click here for details and registration.

TTA does not endorse any conference or associate member over any others. TTA is happy to run conference dates for relevant events submitted by TTA members and associate members.