Competitive Carriers Association

It was my Dad’s birthday last Thursday when I received this award. He passed away in 2020 after battling ALS. I think often how much he would have loved being here for this. I am a daddy’s girl and it is truly the love, acceptance and support he always gave me that contributed to my self confidence and desire to achieve. The worse thing he could say to me is that I disappointed him. My mom is head strong, tenacious and outspoken and if you know me you can see those traits in me. I have taken a lot from her but it’s my Dad’s compassion, his ability to make you feel like he “sees” you no matter who you are or where you come from that inspires me to be a leader who cares, a leader who is accessible, a leader who serves. I know he is in heaven looking down and it warms my heart to think he might be beaming with pride.

At Competitive Carriers Association, we understand the critical role that connectivity plays in today's business environment. That's why your company should consider joining our expanding community. Why join CCA? Check out some of our unique benefits below, including advocacy and a voice for communications providers in Washington, D.C. Visit our membership page and apply now! https://lnkd.in/eE2aZdKW

Thank you Doris Matsui and Bob Latta for meeting with John Nettles of Pine Belt Telephone & Wireless, Brian Woody and Jason Wilcox of Union Telephone Company, as well as Commnet Broadband, Nokia, Samsung Networks, and Ericsson on the important topic of #RipAndReplace. Let's get this funded! Absent further funding for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, impacted #MobileCarriers are forced to decide where to eliminate service across the U.S., including 911/emergency services.   To safeguard the integrity of our national communications networks and ensure that no American faces reduced #connectivity, Congress must fully and immediately fund the Rip-and-Replace mandate to remove and replace vulnerable #telecommunications infrastructure. Read about it here: https://lnkd.in/epnhe5xQ    

We were glad to see so many CCA members out in force at the 5G Caucus Demo Day on the Hill! Thanks to all the staffers, Members of Congress and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr for dropping by our table and spinning the wheel on #RipAndReplace, the 5G Fund, siting/permitting reform, spectrum and more. Read the latest about the Rip and Replace issue in Axios: https://lnkd.in/eecHS6w2

Thank you to those who joined us in Amelia Island last week for CCA’s 2024 Annual Convention. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry leaders, learn from insightful speakers, and engage in meaningful conversations. Rain or shine, the event was a hit! Here are some highlights… Thank you to Nokia for kicking off CCA 2024 by sponsoring the opening dinner reception. Day two started early with CCA’s 5K walk/run. A special shout out to Adam Taylor, Newaya, for winning our 5K! Runners and walkers enjoyed a scenic route around the marsh side of the island. Our keynote lunch started with a special guest speaker, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. Followed by our keynote panel, sponsored by T-Mobile, Perspectives on Washington: Navigating the Road Ahead. Paul Kirby with TR Daily as our moderator, our panelists included Michael Prior, ATN International; Flynn Rico-Johnson, Office of FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks; Bentina Terry, Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, Inc. (STI); and Michele K. Thomas, T-Mobile.   Last, but not least, Mark Harms, Award Solutions, wrapped things up with his interactive keynote session, “Generative AI Unveiled: From Basics to Breakthroughs.” On to the afternoon - in the exhibit hall was the Team Building Community Service. Not only was this an amazing opportunity to give back, but also to network with other attendees over a great cause. We had four stations to choose from: - Hopeful Heroes sponsored by Interop Technologies: attendees made superhero capes for children battling serious illnesses, donated to Children's Advocacy Center of SWFL. - Beads to Beat Cancer sponsored by Tarana Wireless, Inc.: attendees assembled beaded bracelets, donated to Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. - Shelter Snuggles sponsored by Velleros, Inc.: attendees created animal beds and toys for shelter animals, donated to Nassau Humane Society. - Hygiene Essentials, sponsored by Velleros, Inc.: attendees assembled hygiene kits to support the unhoused population, donated to Sulzbacher. Wednesday started with CCA’s 2024 Annual Achievement Awards. Congratulations to our well-deserving winners! - Steven K. Berry Outstanding Achievement Award: Jamie Thacker, Appalachian Wireless - Neko Hamlett Associate Member of the Year Award: Caroline Caverly Fritz, Ericsson - Outstanding Service Award (Carrier): Paul Feldmann, Carolina West Wireless - Outstanding Service Award (Associate): Tarana Wireless, Inc. - Industry Innovation Award: Southern Linc - Distinguished Leadership Award: Jonathan Foxman, Cellular One and Illinois Valley Cellular. Concluding CCA 2024 was our Closing Beach Reception, sponsored in part by Interop Technologies and Ericsson. Attendees wore their favorite Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops, and flower leis while networking and celebrating another successful show. Thank you to our Polynesian performers for helping us all feel the island vibes! SAVE THE DATE: CCA’s 2025 Mobile Carriers Show, April 14-16 in Denver, Colorado!

Competitive Carriers Association has been deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges faced by our impacted members because of the shortfall in funding for the #RipAndReplace program and continues to push Congress to fully and immediately address this national security priority. I had a conversation this morning that underscored the real-world impact of this issue. I was speaking with the CEO of one of our member companies that has been working diligently to complete the program while maintaining service where no other wireless carrier provides a signal. During that conversation – about upcoming Congressional meetings in Washington, DC to share their experience navigating these issues – as they were driving through his service footprint, our call dropped – multiple times. Their route included two parts of the network where equipment has been replaced, and in between a cluster of towers still relying on the old vendor. Each time the session switched; the call dropped. While these dropped calls are inconvenient, what’s even more alarming is that if Congress does not address the current $3.08 billion shortfall in the Rip and Replace program, those towers still using equipment from the old vendor will go dark, leaving rural communities even more disconnected. The consequences will be the loss of coverage for rural businesses, residents, travelers, and even emergency services. With limited days remaining on the Congressional calendar, it is time for Congress to act swiftly to fully fund the Rip and Replace program. 

Congress has provided less than 40% of funding for #RipAndReplace. Impacted #MobileCarriers are forced to decide where to eliminate service in #Colorado and across the U.S., including 911/emergency services.   To safeguard the integrity of our national communications networks and ensure that no American faces reduced connectivity, Congress must fully and immediately fund the Rip-and-Replace mandate to remove and replace vulnerable telecommunications infrastructure.   Read more by Tim Donovan in The Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC: https://lnkd.in/eFrmR5YR 

Thanks to The Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC for helping highlight the urgent need for sufficient funding to help carriers finish the job in Colorado and across the nation. With a handful of weeks remaining on the legislative calendar, it is past time for Congress to act to fund this bipartisan national security mandate. Competitive Carriers Association will keep up the drumbeat on the critical #RipAndReplace issue to maintain connectivity in some of the hardest to serve areas in the country.

We are pleased to welcome Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to CCA's Annual Convention, #CCA2024 at the Omni Amelia Island Resort in Florida. Don't miss his keynote on Tuesday, September 10! Register now at cca-convention.org.