NRTC

President Biden appeared in Westby, WI, today to announce the first grants through USDA’s New ERA program. Sixteen electric cooperatives serving 23 states will use a total of $7.3 billion to fund solar, wind and other clean energy projects. In his remarks, Biden praised co-ops for providing electricity to rural communities for 90 years and said government investments will result in job growth and will improve the environment. https://lnkd.in/ePpJ3F33

There is still time to register for today's final Brand Camp webinar. Pivot's brand experts are back at 2 p.m., Eastern (11 a.m., Pacific), to answer any remaining branding questions, recap the camp experience, and suggest next steps for continuing to move your brand forward. Come with any ponderings you have. The event is open to all NRTC members. You can learn more and register here: https://hubs.li/Q02NPpkg0

During its August annual meeting, White River Valley Electric Cooperative in Branson, MO, provided its members an update of its fiber network construction. According to White River Connect CEO Beau Jackson (pictured center), the project serving the least-served areas in rural Missouri, is 45 percent completed after starting construction in June 2023. WRVEC plans to cover nine substation areas in the next eight months. NRTC has assisted the cooperative on several elements of the project. https://lnkd.in/dS8EN8ui

NRTC representatives in August met in Paulding, OH, to begin planning fiber network construction with Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative (PPEC). The rural northwest portion of Ohio that PPEC serves currently has some fixed wireless broadband in scattered areas. Construction of fiber-to-the-home service to vastly improve connectivity should begin in 2025. Pictured in the foreground (plaid shirt), NRTC Project Manager Josh Shoaf meets with (l-r) Nick Eltzroth, PPEC engineering manager, and NRTC planning engineers Jason Scott and Ben Chaney.

NTIA accepted industry comments on shareholders’ visions of 6G wireless technology. Commenters tended to say that there is still significant innovation being developed with current 5G technology and some said it is still unclear what the use cases for 6G will be. Equipment manufacturer Ericsson said that it is developing 6G with the goal of increasing energy efficiency. https://lnkd.in/eW-kXi49

The FCC has adopted a Second Report and Order to move forward with the long-delayed 5G Fund, a $9 million universal service program meant to expand advanced wireless services to rural areas. The Commission originally drafted rules for a 5G Fund reverse auction in 2020. However, it delayed implementation as it improved the accuracy of supporting data in the National Broadband Map. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said that there is no longer reason to delay the program further. https://lnkd.in/eTNm6Q5s

An employee booklet promoting “Good Vibes Only” is helping Inland Power and Light in Washington promote the co-op’s values and build a unified team. NRTC’s Pivot recently hosted an online session describing how it helped Inland examine its values and improve its co-ops culture. The session was part of the “Brand Camp” summer series of Pivot online events. Pivot is offering a final Camp Close session on Sept. 5. https://lnkd.in/eeaVYsPB

We're excited to congratulate OEC Fiber a valued NRTC member, on their recent accolades! They've earned the 2024 Digital Inclusion Award for Digital Literacy and were named a Top 10 Regional Provider for Fastest Real-World Speeds by BroadbandNow.🏆 These awards reflect OEC Fiber's commitment to delivering exceptional service and empowering their subscribers in rural Oklahoma. We're proud to support them with 24x7 technical support and innovative solutions that enhance their operations. Congrats, OEC Fiber! Keep setting the standard for excellence in the industry! 🚀 https://hubs.li/Q02Mw7ZZ0 https://hubs.li/Q02Mwlq90 #Broadband #TopISP #OECFiber #HighSpeedInternet #NRTC

Over the past year, NRTC has worked with wireless equipment manufacturer Ericsson to develop the many use cases electric cooperatives could implement using private wireless networks. Now Ericsson and NRTC have joined in an alliance with Southern Linc, wireless communications subsidiary of Southern Company, and 900 MHz spectrum holder Anterix. The collaboration seeks to transform the current communications landscape for co-ops to improve reliability and security. https://lnkd.in/eQiWp9Qj

NRTC recently promoted Kevin Fitzgibbons, a member executive since 2018, to senior director, Sales Operations and Regional Business Development. He adds the duties of regional business manager for electric cooperatives in the eastern states to his ongoing task of working with members to develop new business opportunities. https://lnkd.in/eSJh3hCX