News
Bob Phillips to Retire as CEO of NRTC
February 17, 2010 [Herndon, VA]—Bob Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer ofthe National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), will retire at the end of May 2010, after 32 years of service to the rural utility program and 23 at the helm of NRTC. Phillips made the announcement at the NRTC Annual Meeting on February 14 in Atlanta.
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tenKsolar, Inc and NRTC Sign Distribution Agreement
tenKsolar announced today that the company has executed an agreement with the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) for sales of the company’s high output solar photovoltaic systems to rural electric cooperatives. “Having had firsthand experience with NRTC’s excellent ability to bring technology solutions to market in rural America, I am delighted that NRTC will be representing us,” said Joel Cannon, CEO of tenKsolar.
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Clevest Solutions Named in Top 25 “Ready to Rocket” List
Clevest Solutions, provider of mobile field force management solutions, was recently identified in the top 25 of the “Ready to Rocket” list of technology companies. Ready to Rocket recognizes British Columbia, Canada-based technology companies who outperform the technology industry as a whole. This year’s list acknowledged companies who grew at an average of 75 percent or greater in 2009, compared to 3 to 4 percent for the entire technology industry.
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Blue Grass Energy Announces Smart Grid Partners
On Feb. 12, 2010, Blue Grass Energy, an NRTC member based in Nicholasville, KY, announced that it had partnered with NRTC, CURRENT Group and Beckwith Electric to deploy Volt/VAR Control and Dynamic Voltage Optimization technologies, both components of a smarter grid. “By leveraging strong relationships with industry leaders such as CURRENT Group, Beckwith Electric and NRTC, we are in a strong position to continue to deliver market-leading, state-of-the-art intelligent distribution solutions to utilities such as Blue Grass Energy that help them cost effectively and quickly deploy smart grid today and realize ongoing benefits to consumers and the environment from these investments for years to come,” said Tom Beckwith, CEO of Beckwith Electric.
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NRTC Member Brings Wind Farm Online
NRTC member Basin Electric Power Cooperative brought a major wind farm online on Dec. 30, 2009, near Minot, ND. The 77-turbine wind project is the country’s largest wind farm wholly owned by an electric cooperative. By the end of 2010, the wind farm will generate about 600 megawatts of electricity—enough to meet the annual electricity needs of about 175,000 homes. Basic Electric is a generation and transmission electric cooperative responsible for delivering power to distribution electric cooperatives in nine states. The Cooperative’s energy is delivered to some 2.8 million customers. Read the article…
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Wes Dittmer Named CFO of NRTC
January 4, 2010 [Herndon, VA]—The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative today announced Wes Dittmer as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding Chris Abetz, who retired at the end of 2009.
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ViaSat Acquires WildBlue
December 15, 2009--ViaSat, Inc. has completed its agreement to acquire WildBlue Communications, Inc.
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NRTC and GeoNav Group Introduce nVIEW Networks for Rural Telcos
December 7, 2009 [Herndon, VA]—The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and GeoNav Group International announced today the availability of nVIEW Networks, infrastructure management software that allows telecommunication providers to manage their networks using ESRI’s ArcGIS®.
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Owen Electric Cooperative Talks with NRTC about Cannon AMI
December 2, 2009--Owen Electric Cooperative’s President and CEO Mark Stallons and Tim Cammack, manager of Technical Services, recently talked with NRTC about the Owen Electric’s Cannon advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) installation. Owen Electric, an NRTC member based in Owenton, KY, provides electricity to 58,000 members throughout its nine-county territory. Owen Electric purchased its Cannon AMI system through its membership in NRTC.
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Tough Choices Require Smart Solutions, Phillips Says
November 5, 2009--NRTC President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Phillips shared his vision of the smart grid with attendees of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association regional meetings that took place across the country this fall. Phillips talked with electric cooperative general managers and board members about the need to “make the grid smarter” while providing the greatest benefit to the American consumer.
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Rural Telecom Features NRTC TelcoVideo Member’s Rollout, Bundling Strategy
November 19, 2009--In the Nov./Dec. issue of Rural Telecom magazine, Derrick F. Bulawa, CEO of BEK Communications Cooperative, discusses BEK’s Internet Protocol television (IPTV) rollout. The article entitled “The Cornerstone of the Triple Play” also details BEK’s bundling strategy and how video increased the Cooperative’s broadband penetration from 34 to 56 percent in just 18 months. Members of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) can read the article at www.ruraltelecom.org (login required).
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Members’ AMI Deployments Featured in Electric Light & Power
November 19, 2009--Electric Light & Power recently published an article entitled “AMI Investments Enable Efficiency, Productivity and Service Quality Improvements” that highlights benefits electric utilities reap by investing in smart grid technology. The article features four NRTC members that have deployed or are deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and examines these deployments for the resulting improvements in efficiency, productivity and quality of service. The article concludes by focusing on additional opportunities for increased efficiency that AMI makes possible. The NRTC members featured in the article are Prince George Electric Cooperative, Waverly, VA; Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative, Paulding, OH; Cooke County Electric Cooperative Association, Muenster, TX; and Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative, Anamosa, IA. Read the article.
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NRECA Announces Clevest Solutions Passes MultiSpeak Version 4 Certification
October 28, 2009--The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association(NRECA) announced that Clevest Solutions, Inc. and Milsoft Utility Solutions had acquired MultiSpeak® Version 4 certification.
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Press Release: NRTC Supports Members by Adding Clevest Solutions
November 9, 2009 [Herndon, VA]—The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Clevest Solutions, Incorporated, a mobile workforce solutions provider, to offer the company’s products and services to its rural utility members. Through this agreement, NRTC members will have access to Clevest’s Mobile Field Force (MFF) solutions and smart grid deployment software.
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Press Release: NRTC Congratulates USDA on 60 Years of Supporting Rural America
October 28, 2009 [Herndon, VA]— The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) congratulates the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development on 60 years of supporting the growth of critical telecommunications services in rural America.
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WildBlue Communications, Inc. to be Acquired by ViaSat, Inc.
October 20, 2009--ViaSat, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire WildBlue Communications, Inc.
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White River Electric Installs Wireless Data System
October 20, 2009--White River Electric Association (WREA) provides electricity to its member-owners, who are spread across vast rural terrain.
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Sioux Valley Tells "How to Get Broadband Done"
October 20, 2009--At the upcoming National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) annual conference November 8-10, 2009, Joel Brick of Sioux Valley Wireless, an NRTC member, will participate in a breakout session, “Broadband: How to Get It Done for Your Community.”
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Press Release: NRTC and NTCA Improve Programming Offer
September 14, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), a cooperative dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural America through use of advanced telecommunications, and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), a non-profit association representing more than 580 small and rural telephone cooperatives and commercial companies, today announced improvements to their programming offer and debuted a new name for the service.
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Press Release: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Selects Honeywell Integrated Security through NRTC
August 26, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced today that Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has entered into an agreement to purchase a Honeywell Integrated Security access control and camera system to modernize security at Craig Station, one of its flagship baseload generating stations.
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Two NRTC Members Receive Local Honors
August 5, 2009--NRTC members are known for delivering products and services that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. Recently, two members received recognition from their communities for the service they provide.
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Rural Broadband Webinar Features NRTC's Sukow
August 5, 2009--NRTC Business Research & Analysis Manager Randy Sukow will participate in a Pike & Fisher Webinar "Here Be Dragons: Bringing Broadband to the Unserved." The event, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at 2-3:30 p.m., Eastern, includes live discussion.
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Bob Phillips Provides Update on NRTC Stimulus Efforts
July 28, 2009--The federal government has made two of NRTC's core initiatives, rural broadband access and creation of the smart grid, national priorities by providing stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Recently, the government issued funding announcements for both broadband and smart grid programs.
In this update, NRTC President and CEO Bob Phillips gives an overview of efforts to help members take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.
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Press Release: Edward Drew to Lead NRTC's Utility Division
July 23, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative today announced Edward Drew as its vice president of Utility Solutions, the division dedicated to providing solutions for its utility members, including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). His more than 10 years of experience in the electric utility market and telecommunications will boost NRTC’s ability to serve its electric cooperative members engaged in deploying the smart grid and other mission-critical products and services.
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Press Release: Kurt Schaubach to Lead NRTC Broadband Efforts
July 23, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) today announced Kurt Schaubach has come on board as vice president, Broadband Technologies. As more of NRTC’s rural members turn to wireless and other Internet access solutions, Kurt Schaubach’s experience in communications network design, deployment, operation and advanced technology development will help ensure that NRTC offers the latest Internet and communications solutions to meet members’ needs.
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Press Release: Rural Telcos Build Competitive Advantage with Programming from NRTC
July 20, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) has announced that more of its telco members are building their competitive advantage by signing on to deliver the Cooperative's programming for Internet Protocol television (IPTV). Telcos across the United States are delivering NRTC’s more than 350 video and audio channels of IPTV programming to homes and businesses.
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GVTC Communications Executive Named to Texas Broadband Taskforce
July 20, 2009--An executive from NRTC member GVTC Communications has been named to the Texas Broadband Task Force.
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TVN’s Stasi Expects NRTC to Influence Interactive Services to Rural America
July 7, 2009--In an interview with IPTV news, TVN Entertainment Chief Technology Officer Dom Stasi discussed the IPTV industry, TVN's merger with Avail Media and NRTC's strategic investment in Avail.
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Bob Phillips Introduces NRTConnects
June 22, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative is launching a new newsletter in July—NRTConnects—to keep members and friends of NRTC abreast of new technologies, to understand how they will impact member businesses and communities, and to learn what NRTC is doing with and for its members to bring communications solutions that work for rural America.
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“Telecom and Electric Distribution Forever Linked,” Phillips tells NRECA Legislative Conference Attendees
June 18, 2009--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.
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NRTC's Ellis Tackles "Big Digital Decision" in MissionCritical
June 18, 2009--"Know your technology options before you invest" counsels NRTC's Todd Ellis in an article on narrowbanding and Project 25 (P25).
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NRTC's Forrer Featured in IPTV News
June 17, 2009--In an article previewing her appearance at the IP&TV Forum--North America next month, Madeleine Forrer outlined steps the IPTV industry can take to assist rural telcos.
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Press Release: NRTC and UTC Make 220 MHz Spectrum Available
June 10, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) have signed an agreement that makes 220 MHz spectrum for land mobile radio voice and data systems available to all of the members and customers of UTC.
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Article on Smart Grid and Renewables Features NRTC Members
May 18, 2009--In New Mexico, electric cooperatives lead the way in smart grid deployment and are are committed to incorporating renewable energy. Learn more from an article in the May 2009 issue of the Enchantment, New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative's statewide magazine.
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Press Release: NRTC Invests in Avail Media
May 18, 2009--Investment helps to ensure that rural telcos have access to next-gen IPTV content.
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Gibson EMC Repairs Ice Damage With Help from GeoNav
May 8, 2009--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.
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Press Release: WiMAX Distribution Agreement Helps NRTC Members Meet Rural America’s Broadband Needs
April 28, 2009--The not-for-profit National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) today announced that its local members will soon have the opportunity to provide high-speed, fixed and mobile broadband Internet access to communities across the nation where homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, police and fire stations are least likely to be “wired.”
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WiMAX 101 Presentation Posted!
April 25, 2009--DigitalBridge Communications Corp. (DBC) gave NRTC members an overview of WiMAX technology on April 24, 2009. The presentation is now available.
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NRTC and DigitalBridge Respond to NTIA/RUS Joint Request
April 15, 2009--Using their experience “with the challenges inherent in bringing communications services to rural America” as a foundation, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and DigitalBridge Communications Corp. (DBC) filed a response to a Joint Request for Information (RFI) issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) on April 13, 2009.
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NRTC joins WildBlue, HughesNet and Intelsat in Response to NTIA and RUS
April 13, 2009--National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), Hughes Network Systems, WildBlue Communications and Intelsat Corporation filed comments in response to the Joint Request for Information (RFI) issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
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NRTC Comments to FCC: Wireless and Satellite for Rural America
April 2, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (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.
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WildBlue Announces Agreement to Lease Ka-band Capacity from EchoStar
March 27, 2009--WildBlue Communications, Inc., to lease Ka-band capacity from EchoStar.
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Video: Bob Phillips Addresses Electric Cooperatives
March 25, 2009--At the NRTC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Bob Phillips delivered his annual address to NRTC's electric cooperative members. Video of his address is available in the Multimedia area of "NRTC Now."
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Video: Putting the Smart Grid into Action
March 25, 2009--NRTC gathered energy experts to discuss the ways that rural electric cooperatives can implement the practical aspects of "smart grid" technologies. Check out video segments of the panel discussion in the Multimedia area of "NRTC Now."
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Press Release: NRTC and NTCA Now Offer More Than 80 High-Definition Channels
February 11, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) have announced that telcos now have the opportunity to deliver more than 80 channels of high-definition (HD) programming. In recent weeks, NRTC has more than doubled its HD offering and has created programming packages that enable rural telcos to derive incremental revenue.
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Press Release: NRTC Announces "Rate Freeze" for IPTV Expanded Basic Programming Package
February 10, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) today announced that it will hold rates for its Expanded Basic programming package for Internet Protocol television (IPTV) at 2008 levels.
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Enhanced Telecommunications Earns Top Sales Award
January 29, 2009--NRTC awards Enhanced Telecommunications for outstanding sales in 2008.
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Telephony: IPTV Content Battle Lines
November 10, 2008--Telephony magazine examines rural telcos' options for IPTV content, and profiles NRTC member CenComm.
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Press Release: NRTC Signs Distribution Agreement with HBO®
October 15, 2008--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced today that it has reached an agreement for video distribution rights with Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO).
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Press Release: NRTC Member Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Installs Integrated Radio Solution
August 20, 2008--Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) in Fredericksburg, Virginia has completed installation of a TaitNet MPT1327 radio network solution.
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Press Release: NRTC Invests in GeoNav Group International
August 7, 2009--Today, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced its investment in the GeoNav Group International, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services and products firm.
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Press Release: NRTC Offers Members Comprehensive Internet Security Services and Advanced Computer Support
June 4, 2008--Today, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced that it has signed a master reseller agreement with SecurityCoverage, Inc. to offer NRTC members managed, guaranteed computer services for residential and business Internet subscribers.
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