See You Soon!
NRTC looks forward to seeing you at the upcoming NRECA Regional Meetings and NTCA Fall Conference!
NRECA Regional Meetings
Interim NRTC President and CEO Jack Harvey will provide an update to attendees during the second general session on Wednesday. In addition, NRTC will present at the New Director Orientation on Tuesday and co-sponsor all regional receptions with the local statewide organization on Wednesday. The reception is open to all NRECA regional meeting attendees.
This year’s meetings take place in Grand Rapids, MI (1&4), September 7-9; Minneapolis, MN (5&6), September 14-16; Anchorage, AK (9), September 21-23; Hilton Head, SC (2&3), October 12-14; Denver, CO (7), October 19-21; and Oklahoma City, OK (8&10), October 26-28. Be sure to visit cooperative.com for all regional meeting details.
NTCA Fall Conference, September 19-22, St. Louis, MO
NRTC will be hosting a showcase for TelcoVideo, Telispire and TrueBand in the Benton Room of the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel on Monday, September 20 and Tuesday, September 21, from 3-6 p.m. Please stop by to learn more about our products and solutions, and enjoy the beer, wine and snacks provided.
In addition, Interim President and CEO Jack Harvey will participate in a smart grid panel, and Vice President of Member and Industry Relations Chris Martin will be moderating a stimulus panel. Both sessions take place on Tuesday, September 21 at 8:30 a.m. and will occur again at 10:15 a.m.
If you’d like to learn more or discuss how NRTC may be able to help you, please contact your Regional Business Manager.
NRTC Issues Statement on National Broadband Plan
Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued the much-anticipated National Broadband Plan intended to serve as a roadmap for expanding and enhancing broadband service throughout our country. As many members are well aware, the plan contains provisions that are of interest and, in some cases, great concern to rural telecom providers.
NRTC issued a statement regarding the plan applauding the FCC’s intent, but calling on the agency to ensure that any final plan recognizes the significant investment rural telecom providers have made in their communities and the need to maintain that infrastructure. Moreover, the statement calls on the FCC to ensure that their plan does not create or worsen a digital divide between rural and urban communities.
If you’d like to learn more or discuss how NRTC may be able to help you, please contact your Regional Business Manager.
WildBlue Receives Satellite Grant Award
The Rural Utility Service (RUS) recently announced the recipients of satellite grant funding, which is part of the Obama Administration’s broadband stimulus program.
WildBlue Communications received an award to serve the midwest and western regions of the United States. As defined by the program, this includes 24 states.
As you know, NRTC filed its own grant application to help members continue to offer WildBlue to unserved rural households they serve. However, RUS decided to award the funds strictly to the four satellite operators—Echostar XI Operating LLC, Spacenet, Inc., Hughes Network Systems and WildBlue.
While we are disappointed that we did not receive an award, WildBlue has expressed a commitment to make satellite stimulus funds available to NRTC members in eligible regions to the extent that the RUS rules will allow.
We’re working with WildBlue to understand their plans and how NRTC members can leverage their award. In addition, we’re considering other programs and options to support members’ continued WildBlue growth. We will keep you informed as those plans develop.
NRTC to Provide Retransmission Advisory Services
In a new trend for the video industry, national broadcast networks, such as ABC, CBS and NBC, have started requiring cable, satellite and telco video operators to pay broadcasters to retransmit their services.
To help NRTC’s video members achieve favorable rates from broadcasters, NRTC will now provide retransmission consent advisory services to both current NRTC video members, and members not affiliated with NRTC’s programming offering.
NRTC’s contacts and experience with broadcasters will also allow telcos to have an advocate who is knowledgeable and undaunted by the pressure likely to emanate from these kinds of negotiations.
If you’d like to learn more or discuss how NRTC may be able to help you, please contact your Regional Business Manager.
GPS World Magazine Features GeoNav’s nVIEW 360°
GeoNav’s nVIEW 360° service, which allows utilities to map immersive geographic information system (GIS) data using a truck-mounted camera and LiDAR system, was recently profiled in GPS World Magazine. The article, titled “High-Volume Rural Utility Data Collection,” details how the system was developed, how it works and the benefits it offers to rural utilities.
Write us at nrtconnects@nrtc.coop.
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Our Mission
To lead and support our members by delivering telecommunications solutions to strengthen member businesses, promote economic development and improve the quality of life in rural America.
In This Issue
• See You Soon!
• NRTC Issues Statement on National Broadband Plan
• WildBlue Receives Satellite Grant Award
• NRTC to Provide Retransmission Advisory Services
• GPS World Magazine Features GeoNav’s nVIEW 360°
• NTCA Shares Smart Grid Information
• NRTC Expands Sports, HD Offerings for TelcoVideo
• Get Budgetary Pricing to Complete Next Year’s Work Plan
• Where You Can See NRTC
Smart Grid
NTCA Shares Smart Grid Information
NTCA has gathered input from NISC, NRECA and NRTC to create a series of articles entitled “Smart Grid Primer.” The articles discuss smart grid components, the network and many other aspects of the smart grid. To read about what NRTC and its affiliates think, visit NTCA’s Smart Grid Primer.
TelcoVideo
NRTC Expands Sports, HD Offerings for TelcoVideo
NRTC’s TelcoVideo members now have access to several sports and high-definition (HD) channels, including NFL Network, NFL Network HD, NFL RedZone and NFL video-on-demand. Other recent additions include BBC America HD and BlueHighways TV.
Work Plan
Get Budgetary Pricing to Complete Next Year’s Work Plan
As you complete your co-op’s 2011 annual work plan, consider what investments you might make on your path to the smarter grid. What new technologies do you plan to explore, change or implement in the coming year? To give you a more accurate picture of your investment, NRTC can provide budgetary pricing on a range of NRTC’s products and services. Contact your Regional Business Manager to find out more about how we can help you plan and budget for new technologies on the path to a smarter grid.
Where You Can See NRTC
• Sept. 7-9: NRECA Region 1&4 Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI
NRTC staff will attend
• Sept. 12-15: WTA Fall Conference, Cour d’ Alene, ID
Steve Hanson will attend
• Sept. 14-16: NRECA Region 5 & 6 Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
NRTC staff will attend
• Sept. 19-22: NTCA Fall Conference, St. Louis, MO
NRTC staff will attend
• Sept. 21-23: NRECA Region 9 Meeting, Anchorage, AK
NRTC staff will attend
• Oct. 10-12: NRECA Region 2&3 Meeting, Hilton Head, SC
NRTC staff will attend
• Oct. 19-21: NRECA Region 7 Meeting, Denver, CO
NRTC staff will attend
• Oct. 26-28: NRECA Region 8&10 Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
NRTC staff will attend
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