ISP Intel Insider | Edition 11

As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to an exciting new year, we’re bringing you a festive mix of insights, nostalgia, and creativity to close the year with a smile! Thanks for being part of our journey in 2024. Here’s to staying secure, connected, and inspired in the new year!

2025: Insights and Predictions from our Executive Team

As the broadband and cybersecurity landscapes continue to evolve, our executive team has shared their key predictions for 2025. From emerging trends to new challenges and opportunities, our recent blog brings together their unique perspectives to help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. We invite you to dive in and explore their vision for the year ahead! https://www.chrsolutions.com/blog/our-2025-predictions/

Telecom Throwback: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Ah, the good old days of telecom… let’s continue our walk down memory lane when troubleshooting, software updates, and customer service looked a whole lot different than they do today. If you’ve been in this industry for a while, you’ll remember those moments that shaped our work (and tested our patience). Here’s some more quirks, challenges, and unforgettable experiences that were just part of the job:

• Faxes Over Phone Calls – Customers would send us faxes of their issues as printed screenshots instead of describing the problem over the phone. Deciphering grainy faxes was an art form in itself.
• Who’s on the Line? – Picking up the phone without caller ID meant you never knew who was on the other end. Every call was a surprise.
• Green Screens & Function Keys – Green screen software was the norm, and we had function keys memorized like the back of our hand. The command line? Just another day at the office.
• The Joy of Demo Servers – Traveling for software demos meant hauling around VAX’s and Alpha servers. If you know, you know: these were not light carry-ons.
• Flying Dual Prop Planes – Visiting smaller communities often involved flights on dual-propeller planes in and out of places like Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Not exactly the smoothest ride.
• Staking Sheet Acrobatics – Ever chase a staking sheet 200-yards after the wind decided to play keep-away? If so, you’re not alone.
• Overnight Maintenance Mishaps – There was always that one overnight maintenance window where the person on duty mysteriously called in "sick."
• Backing Out of a MOP – After hours of overnight work, nothing was more disheartening than realizing you had to back out of a MOP and undo everything at the end of a long, exhausting night.

These stories remind us how far the industry has come and highlight the grit, adaptability, and sense of humor that kept us all going. Telecom has always been a world of constant change, but these throwback memories? Timeless! Do any of these resonate with you? We’d love to hear your favorite throwback moments!

Wrapping up 2024

‘Twas a week before Christmas, and all through the office, The switches were humming, with focus so flawless. The fiber was strung with precision and care, In hopes that no outages would soon appear there.

The tools were stacked neatly, the laptops aligned, Field techs were restless with deadlines to mind. While out in the field, crews battled the chill, Running lines through the snow with the greatest of skill.

When out in the NOC there arose such a clatter, A dropped circuit warning—what was the matter? The techs sprang to action, headsets in place, Re-routing the traffic at a breakneck pace.

The LEDs blinked on each sturdy rack, While a phone call confirmed, “We’re finally back!” The PMs sighed softly, relief in their tone, “Another close call… but our uptime’s well-known.”

With snow on the ground and the days running short, The crews wrapped up projects, preparing reports. The copper, the fiber, the splicing, the nodes, A telecom Christmas is built on such loads.

And then, in a moment, the workday was done, The calls had grown quiet, the troubles now none. The team packed up gear and gave one last cheer, “Here’s to good networks and a bright, smooth new year!”

So here’s to the crews who work night and day, Keeping connections alive and at play. Merry Christmas to all, and to all near and far, The telecom pros are the industry’s star!

We'll see you in the New Year! As Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on the next two Wednesdays, we’ll be taking a short break. Our next edition will arrive on January 8th, ready to kick off the new year with fresh stories, insights, and telecom highlights.

Until then, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and smooth connections wherever you go!