There is no better way to understand the work that NTCA members do and the challenges they face than by getting out in the field with them to see it firsthand. Even when it is well over 100 degrees outside! Whew.
On Monday, I had the pleasure of joining Totelcom Communications CEO Jennifer Prather and COO Michael Prather as they hosted Kevin Gallagher, senior advisor to the Secretary of Commerce, along with Lucy Moore, associate director for workforce policy at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in De Leon, Texas. There is nothing I find more impactful than policymakers actually getting out into the field and seeing what rural really means and the challenges that come with deploying rural broadband.
We landed in Dallas as the thermometer continued to rise (last check, it hit around 112 on the digital bulletin board) with Michael graciously picking us up and getting us out of the traffic jam that is Dallas and on our way west to De Leon. He was also very clear on where the last stop for a clean bathroom break would be in addition to a fair warning on when we would lose cell service along the way.
Seeing that Kevin is the top advisor at the Commerce Department on all things broadband and workforce development and Lucy is really diving deep on the broadband workforce front, we not only talked about next steps for BEAD funding, but we also discussed both Totelcom and NTCA’s efforts in the workforce arena on the drive. Once we turned off the highway, we hit the Totelcom service territory and passed a ranch or two but there were certainly more cattle (and even a few llamas) than structures. Every cow was huddled in the shade under trees and the llamas sat in the ponds. Talk about adaptation!
The drive allowed for some good discussion around technology, fiber deployment and the short-term voids that can be fixed with wireless, with limitations. We also chatted about the middle mile challenges and how permitting, railroads and pole attachment fees can add challenges to an already challenging but critical deployment as we move towards Internet for All. We also talked about the role that NTCA’s employee benefits play in the recruitment and retention of top talent in a rural market. Nothing was off the table!
When we arrived at Totelcom headquarters, the Prather duo was joined by Charlie Cano, CEO of ETEX (Gilmer, Texas), Patrick Sherrill, CEO of Poka Lambro Telecommunications (Wilson, Texas), and Joey Anderson, CEO of Nortex Communications (Muenster, Texas). We traveled out into the field to give Kevin the opportunity to drive a cable plow and lay some fiber in the hot Texas sun. We all donned our new cowboy and cowgirl hard hats surrounded by staff wearing their Beefy Broadband T-shirts.
We then journeyed to the Totelcom Digital Literacy Center for a great roundtable discussion on many critical topics, including working with state broadband offices, letter of credit requirements, continuing the Affordable Connectivity Program, supply chain issues, Build America/Buy America Act provisions, fiber technology advantages and more. Each of the NTCA companies present shared more on their service territory and customer base, highlighting how in a state like Texas, there is no homogeneous lens to look through. We were also joined by Jennifer Harris, the NTIA federal program officer for Texas, who has done a masterful job of listening and learning from the community-based providers in the state and who will be a key asset as Texas receives their $3 billion-plus in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program funding.
It was a great afternoon that culminated with a drive toward Austin where we stopped for some real barbecue (real as in Texas real, complete with jalapeño peppers in jugs on the table, just in case it wasn’t spicy enough). As the sun set on the drive, Kevin shared some thoughts on the Texas Telephone Association meeting taking place the next day, where I was facilitating a panel on agency coordination and ReConnect with Kevin and Laurel Leverrier, assistant administrator of the Rural Utilities Service’s telecommunications programs. Talk about getting into bed that night and falling into a deep sleep!
Given the focus on broadband deployment, this trip was also a nice opportunity to shed some light on workforce development. Here at NTCA, we are approaching this topic in a couple ways and truly trying to connect with the current and future workforce at all stages of life.
Last November, we were excited to join the White House Talent Pipeline Challenge to expand training and job opportunities for rural America’s broadband workforce. We collaborated with Northwood Technical College in Wisconsin to provide training opportunities for employees and help NTCA members grow their workforces. Participants in the program receive online access to Northwood’s Broadband Academy courses and “Digital Badging” program so that they can earn certifications to help advance their careers on their own schedule.
We also know that to build the workforce of the future, we must focus on finding ways to get students interested in the broadband industry. Earlier this year, the Foundation for Rural Service published a Guide to Careers in Rural Telecommunications booklet to highlight the types of job opportunities within local rural telecommunications companies.
In addition, as we look toward school starting in a few short weeks, our Smart Communities program has partnered with the National Rural Education Association to create the BOLD K-12 Career Awareness Toolkit to provide best practices for providers and educators to raise awareness of broadband careers among K-12 students. The contents of the guide have been informed by the work that NTCA members are already doing to reach students in their communities. Companies like Paul Bunyan Communications (Bemidji, Minn.), which has established the GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, where gamers from across Minnesota can compete in esports and can also learn about technology jobs and connect with employers in the area. Or HTC (Conway, S.C.), whose Pathways to Possibilities career fair for eighth-grade students draws nearly 2,000 attendees across multiple school districts. NTCA members are coming up with creative solutions to educate and build the workforce they will need in the future.
Last, but certainly not least, we are working to grow female leaders in the telecommunications industry, a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Our Women in Telecom mentorship program was featured in NTIA’s Workforce Planning Guide in late 2022 as an example of how to support and empower women in our industry. Industry gender diversity was on display this week with Jennifer and members of her executive team in action.
In the spirit of ending my panel with some parting words to warm the heart, I asked Kevin what had surprised him most about his field trip to De Leon. While not surprised, he shared how struck he was with the pride that the technicians had in their work. They understood how critical their role was in bringing connectivity to their rural neighbors and were committed to doing what it takes to bring that connection.
As we move further into August, I continue to urge NTCA members to get your state and local leaders into the field and invite your members of Congress to splice some fiber. Let them see what you do, share your story and become your community’s champion!