Rural Connect

NRTC offers Rural Connect as a place for its members and others interested to follow all topics related to communications technology and how it affects rural electric cooperatives and telecommunications providers. NRTC uses this blog to announce and discuss its products and services. NRTC posts all Rural Connect content on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, where you can use the blog to discuss technology, regulatory, legislative and business issues.

Aug 15, 2018

Rural Commenters Say County Lines Are Efficient Solution for 2.5 GHz

by Randy Sukow

Several rural-based groups said in recent comments to the FCC that wireless solutions in the 2.5 GHz band are important to filling broadband gaps and that 2.5 GHz geographical service areas based on county lines represent the most efficient way to distribute spectrum. “County-sized licenses w...

Aug 2, 2018

NRTC Members to Receive $85 Million in USDA Loans

by Randy Sukow

Late yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the winners of $97 million in broadband support to rural America through its Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Community Connect Grant Programs. Six out of seven on the list of loan winners include NRTC telephone members, who will...

Aug 1, 2018

Pai Preparing to Expand USF High-Cost Fund

by Randy Sukow

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told telecom newsletter Communications Daily that he intends to circulate a draft order to his colleagues that would increase spending for the Universal Service High-Cost Fund (HCF). The draft order will aim to make up for shortfalls in recent years after the Commission’s...

Jul 30, 2018

2017 NRTC Annual Report Theme Is “Connecting Communities”

by Randy Sukow

NRTC last week mailed each member its 2017 Annual Report. The report picks up on a theme NRTC CEO Tim Bryan introduced at the 2018 NRTC Annual Meeting, when he said that rural communities can look forward to a “connected future.” Broadband internet and automated technologies, such as sma...

Jul 27, 2018

RUS E-Connectivity Program Could Aid Electric/Telco Partnerships

by Randy Sukow

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published a Notice of Inquiry this morning, asking the public for advice on how to organize a $600 million “e-Connectivity” pilot program. The new program would provide loans and grants for rural broadband projects,...

Rural Connect

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