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.

Jan 22, 2020

NRTC Joins CBRS Alliance as Part of Overall Broadband Support

by Randy Sukow

Earlier this month, NRTC joined the CBRS Alliance, an industry group dedicated to assisting wireless providers and equipment manufacturers develop technology for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service in the 3.5 GHz band. NRTC seeks to support its members who are planning to enter the FCC’s CBRS spe...

Jan 15, 2020

Co-op CEOs Offer Insights Into the Rural Broadband Business

by Matt Timmons

Feasibility studies. Subscriber take rates. Debt-to-equity ratios. Equipment, construction and operational costs. These are just a few of the questions electric cooperatives must answer as they plan entry into the rural broadband business. NRTC CEO Tim Bryan (pictured standing left) gathered a...

Jan 14, 2020

Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 7

by Dan Timmer

Effective Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft is ending technical support and software and security updates for the Windows 7 operating system. The good news for providers reselling NRTC Managed Services subscriber solutions, such as Tech Home and SecureIT, is that we will continue to test these products and s...

Jan 9, 2020

Commission Vote on $20 Billion RDOF Set for Jan. 30

by Randy Sukow

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said yesterday that he has completed a draft order establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), the universal service program to spread broadband to unserved rural areas that will replace Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II. The other four commissioners have received...

Jan 9, 2020

Protect Against Potential Iranian Cyberattacks

by Dan Timmer

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a bulletin on the National Terrorism Advisory System warning of potential cyberattacks on U.S.-based targets from Iran following recent conflicts in the region. NRTC Managed Services already has helped some members against Iranian attacks and...

Jan 7, 2020

Vermont Takes Close Look at Electric Utility Broadband Feasibility

by Randy Sukow

Electric utilities in the Vermont could potentially be the providers of fiber service to many of the state’s more than 80,000 remaining homes and businesses unserved and underserved by broadband, according to a report by the Department of Public Services (DPS). However, the 200-page “Feasibility...

Jan 6, 2020

Kit Carson Takes Two Large Steps Toward Long-term Solar Goals

by Randy Sukow

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) said today that it has brought online the second of two new solar arrays. The opening of a 1.5-megawatt (MW) array in Questa, NM, closely follows another 1.5 MW array launch at the campus of Northern New Mexico Collage in El Rito. The deployments are part of a ...

Dec 30, 2019

Marine Colonel to Speak at March 1 NRTC Annual Meeting

by Randy Sukow

U.S. Marine Colonel Matthew Reid, a decorated combat veteran with two deployments to Iraq and another two to Afghanistan, will be the guest speaker at NRTC’s Annual Meeting session for electric members. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. on March 1 at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. ...

Dec 20, 2019

Webcast Generating Interest in CBRS Broadband

by Randy Sukow

Earlier this week, NRTC hosted a highly informative webcast attracting about 100 participants to learn more about the Citizen’s Band Radio Service (CBRS). The FCC plans to hold an auction in June 2020 for access to 3.5 GHz spectrum, potentially valuable for rural 5G/internet of things (IoT) and fi...

Dec 16, 2019

Board Honors Eric Freesmeier for His Role in Rural Broadband Growth

by Randy Sukow

As we announced earlier, Eric Freesmeier, president of NRTC Broadband Solutions is retiring at the end of 2019. The NRTC Board of Directors during its meeting last week in Scottsdale, AZ, honored Freesmeier for his pioneering part in helping rural electric cooperatives enter the broadband internet b...

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