NRTC

Broadband providers, including rural providers, questioned the need for FCC customer service standards in comments on a Commission Notice of Inquiry. NTCA pointed to the emphasis rural providers historically put on customer service. Others noted the high level of competition and the high cost of building networks, both of which create incentive to offer quality customer services. https://lnkd.in/eXjS3nHk

The FCC’s USF program is the center of attention as the Supreme Court announced it will take the case determining its constitutionality. A panel at the USTelecom Broadband Investment Forum earlier this week discussed the many legal and financial issues facing the troubled program and the opportunities for a new FCC to redesign it. https://lnkd.in/eYBGGy7s

NTIA recently received comments in response to its investigation into internet data center facilities. There is wide agreement that the nation will require more data centers to serve artificial intelligence applications. Internet systems developers, such as Cisco and Open AI, said NTIA should encourage the development of smart grid systems to meet growing need for electricity to power the centers. Some said data centers could appear in rural areas, but it will require development of a technically qualified workforce. https://lnkd.in/eTxJs6ks

NRTC CEO Tim Bryan gave an NRTC Update this morning during the Georgia Electric Membership Corp. board meeting in Savannah. CEOs and directors from Georgia's 41 electric cooperatives attended the Georgia EMC annual and board meetings (Nov. 11-12). At right, a Monday evening riverside view of Savannah.

Calix, a platform, cloud, and managed services company, has named NRTC a Calix Service Cloud Certified Partner. NRTC was one of the first partners to complete the company’s Calix Service Cloud training program. The Calix Service Cloud gives customer service teams real-time access to customer information, which leads to shorter call times. https://lnkd.in/eW3v5nXq

Many electric co-ops don’t know where to start when planning to deploy, operate and maintain a microgrid. NRTC and it’s microgrid partner, PowerSecure, led an NRECA webinar demonstrating that microgrids can be beneficial in the right situations and with careful customization of the solution to meet cooperatives’ needs. https://lnkd.in/eXmBY2nz

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard oral arguments today on the FCC’s “Open Internet” order. Parties opposing regulation of the internet through extensive Title II regulation raised Major Questions Doctrine issues, while the FCC argued that Congress has delegated authority to determine Title II status to the Commission. There is no indication of when the court will decide the case. The Sixth Circuit stayed the effects of the current Title II decision in the summer. https://lnkd.in/eanksPuh

NRTC finished its October National Cyber Security Awareness Month activities this week with a webinar detailing the security measures that federal broadband funding programs are requiring as before awarding support to rural providers. Tom Neclerio of NRTC cybersecurity partner SilverSky described the threat level, which has evolved from annoying teenagers to modern-day criminals and “nation-state actors” destroying the nation’s infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/euKvwZBX

NRTC won four awards, including Channel Partner of the Year, from its AMI partner, Itron, during the recent Itron Inspire 2024 conference in Palm Desert, CA. NRTC also won awards for "Growth Partner of the Year," "Deployment Services Champion" and "Best Partner Collaboration." https://lnkd.in/d-neY5Cu

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and NRTC is once again participating as a Cybersecurity Champion for this program led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance. In addition to sharing cybersecurity tips on social media throughout the month, NRTC is helping spread awareness by speaking on the topic at industry events and hosting a webinar on October 29th, “CISO Insights to BEAD and E-ACAM Cybersecurity Requirements”. Make sure you attend if you have applied for, or been awarded, broadband funding. https://hubs.li/Q02VT48K0