July 2009

"Telecom and Electric Distribution Forever Linked," Phillips tells NRECA Legislative Conference Attendees

Saying that he'd never seen so many forces acting on electric cooperatives as now, NRTC President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Phillips urged attendees of NRECA's Legislative Conference to "ride this wave" and leverage the changes coming to the industry and use them to the benefit of cooperatives. [more]

WiMAX Distribution Agreement Helps NRTC Members Meet Rural America's Broadband Needs

NRTC members now have the opportunity to extend high-speed, fixed and mobile broadband Internet access to communities across the nation where homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, as well as police and fire stations are least likely to be "wired." To learn more, read the [press release]

NRTC Invests in Avail Media

NRTC has made a strategic investment in Avail Media, a Reston, Virginia-based industry leader in providing managed content aggregation services for the deployment of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). To learn more, read the [press release]

Gibson EMC Repairs Ice Damage with Help from GeoNav

In late January, torrents of ice coated most of Gibson EMC's service territory. With damage that Gibson's President and CEO called the worst in the cooperative's 72-year history, the cooperative needed help to restore power to customers—and fast. [more]

Visit "My NRTC" for More on WiMAX Opportunity

With funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, NRTC members have an unparalleled opportunity to improve the quality of life in their communities by extending the availability of broadband in rural America. Members can learn more about the opportunity to deliver WiMAX by visiting the "WiMAX Opportunity" page on My NRTC (available only to NRTC members). To access, visit www.nrtc.coop and click "Member Login."

Cannon AMI Co-ops Learn Tips and Tricks at Regional Meeting

On April 14-15, 2009, users of Cooper Power Systems' Cannon meters met at NRTC's headquarters in Herndon, VA, to participate in a variety of group discussions and seminars. Representatives from both Cooper Power Systems and NRTC were on hand to answer members' questions about their advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) equipment, as part of a regional Cannon User's Group meeting.

Stimulus Page Tracks Opportunities

Now is our time! Learn more about NRTC's efforts to support members' application for funding through the ARRA to extend broadband and build a "smarter" electrical grid. Visit www.nrtc.coop/pub/us/now/stimulus/.

NRTC to FCC: Wireless and Satellite for Rural America

Calling WiMAX a "least-cost, readily deployable technology that also offers great potential for mobility as well as fixed service," the NRTC filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission on March 25, 2009, in response to the "Report on a Comprehensive Rural Broadband Strategy," a section of the 2008 Farm Bill. [more]

North Central Telephone Names President/CEO

The Board of Directors of North Central Telephone Cooperative (NCTC), serving central Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky, has appointed Nancy J. White as President and CEO. For more information about NCTC/NCC go to www.nctc.com.

Coming Soon: Telecom Education E-mails

In a few weeks, many of you will begin to receive e-mails from NRTC that outline important telecommunications trends, legislation and developments. These telecom education e-mails will keep you informed, and they'll help you make decisions about your business. Our first e-mail will talk about the FCC's 2013 narrowband requirements for land mobile radio. If you want to know more about these educational communications, or to ensure that you'll receive them, e-mail us at nrtconnects@nrtc.coop.

Write us at nrtconnects@nrtc.coop.

Copyright 2009 NRTC
2121 Cooperative Way
Herndon, VA 20171
www.nrtc.coop

July Issue

• Welcome from Bob Phillips

• Bob Phillips at NRECA Legislative conference

• WiMAX to Help NRTC Members Meet Rural Broadband Needs

• NRTC Invests in Avail Media

• Gibson EMC Repairs Ice Damage

• Visit "My NRTC" For More on WiMAX Opportunity

• Cannon AMI Co-ops Learn Tips and Tricks

• Stimulus Page Tracks Opportunities

• NRTC Comments to FCC

• North Central Telephone Names President/CEO

Welcoming New Members

Please join NRTC in welcoming these new members!

• DigitalBridge Communications,
Ashburn, VA

• Hill County Electric
Cooperative, Havre, MT

• Morristown Utilities
Commission, Morristown, TN

• The Satilla Rural Electric
Membership Corporation,
Alma, GA

Featured Staff Profile

NRTC Welcomes Jerry Titus as Regional Business Manager to Western U.S.

Please join NRTC in welcoming Jerry Titus to the team! Jerry comes on board as Regional Business Manager, serving electric cooperatives in the states of AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT and WA. With 23 years of experience in telecommunications, Jerry makes a solid addition to the team—especially as electric cooperatives increasingly deploy smart grid technologies.

When Can You See NRTC

• Jul. 12-14: Georgia Rural Electric Managers' Association Annual Summer CEO Conference
Jay Smith will attend

• Jul. 13-14: NTCA Region 7, 8 & 10 Meeting
Steve Hanson will attend

• Jul. 15-17: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association Summer Meeting
Jay Smith will attend

• Jul. 19-22: Pennsylvania Telephone Association Annual Convention
Dennis Renowski will attend

• Jul. 19-21: NTCA Region 1, 2 & 3 Meeting

• Jul. 21-Jul. 22: IPTV Forum North America
Madeleine Forrer speaking

• Jul. 25-29: OPASTCO Annual Summer convention and Tradeshow
Steven Hanson will attend

• Jul. 26-28: Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting Jay Smith will attend

• Jul. 28-29: Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting
Gene Porter will attend

• Jul. 30-31: Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting
Mark Davis will attend