Reflecting on the Telecom Act of 1996 and What Comes Next
If you ask folks what they know or remember from 1996, they might harken back to the unique spot the mid-90s have taken in American pop culture. For me, it was a time of personal and professional growth, as I worked as a NTCA lobbyist to help shape future U.S. communications policy through passage of the 1996 Telecom Act.
READ MORE
Previous Blog Posts
- 2026
-
Reflecting on the Telecom Act of 1996 and What Comes Next
Fairness and Performance – Two Important Takeaways from the ‘Starlink Rider’ News
- 2025
-
Thankful for the Progress We've Made Together in 2025
USF, BEAD and the Road Ahead: Highlights from Capitol Hill
Leveraging Public Affairs Tools to Advance Rural Broadband
The Intrepid Travelers Strike Again
Where Stars and the Internet Intersect
Helping Seniors Stay Safe Online is Good for Us All
Help Us Share the Impact of Rural Broadband Providers
A Message on the Future of NTCA Leadership
Who Needs to Step Up to Support Broadband Networks?
Now Is the Time to Return to Updating Universal Service
Another Voice for Rural Broadband
Hurricane Season Resiliency Coordination – and Why it Matters
A Good Day for Broadband Built to Last
Getting Rural America ‘the Benefit of the Bargain’ Rather than ‘the Short End of the Stick’
Members Tell Their Stories at Legislative and Policy Conference
- 2024
-
Staying Vigilant: Looking Back at a Busy 2024 to Prepare for a Busy 2025
Feeling Good About Our Next-Gen Leaders
Building Partnerships and Friendships: Connecting the Rural Broadband Ecosystem
ISPs and Their Customers Deserve Better Than “Gotcha”
When Community-Based Broadband Providers Gather
2024 Fall Conference: A Good Time to Gather
Next Steps in the Fight for Universal Service
Solving the Universal Service Challenge
The Journey of the Intrepid’ish Travelers, Round 2
Promoting Smart Policies for Rural Broadband
Cyber Leadership Reaches out to NTCA
We Can't Afford a Miss on Net Neutrality
Learning From Peers Can Be the Most Impactful
Let's Celebrate Some Broadband Women this Month
- 2023
-
A White House Holiday Celebration
BEAD and State Deadlines Looming Ahead
When the Rubber Meets the Road
Shalom Means Peace and Harmony
Data Shows How NTCA Members Lead the Charge
Buy America Preference Top of Mind for BEAD
State Broadband Leaders Network Summit Meets
From the Runt of the Litter to the Grand Dame of the Pack
Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program – Playbook 3.0
Building Broadband Ecosystems to Strengthen Rural Communities
Road Trippin' with NTCA Members
When NTCA Members Talk, Congress Listens
When State and Federal Broadband Leaders Meet
Put Smart Rural Community Live on your Calendar for this June (Truly)
NTCA Community-Based Broadband Providers Hit Capitol Hill
Good Things Happen When Telecom Executives Gather
Celebrating Corning Fiber and Connectivity for All in Hickory, N.C.
Connecting the Dots with the Construction Industry
Building on our Success: Priorities for the 118th Congress
Announcing the NTCA-Corning Rural Broadband Supply Program
- 2022
-
A Departing Gift of Adventures Yet to Come
NTCA Members Lead the Charge to Deliver Better Broadband
IIJA Anniversary: Reflecting on a Major Year of Progress
New Leadership at the RUS Helm
Partnerships: Working Together to Connect More Americans
Seeing the Values of Collaboration and Connection
Tax Relief for Broadband Grants is Common Sense
Heading to the Golden Gate City
A Time for Reflection and Gratitude
Workforce Development Top of Mind as Labor Day Looms
South Dakota "Adopts" NTCA Staff
Find Your Partner: Partnership Opportunities in Rural Broadband Deployments
Taking the Time to Celebrate FRS!
In the Face of Evolving Cyber Threats, Have a Robust Plan to #BeCyberwise
NTCA Embraces Digital Inclusion Efforts
Always Appreciate a Seat at the Table
Finding Ways to Serve Those Who Served
Taking Charge of the Smart Rural Community Roadmap
Some Encouraging Signs for BEAD
A Summit for Rural Prosperity - SRC Live!
Fiber Homes and Homes with Fiber Are a Big Part of What it Takes to Create a Smart Rural Community!
NTCA’s Telecom Executives Gather Again
A Conversation with NTCA’s Women Leaders During Women’s History Month
Help FRS Continue to Serve and Promote Rural America
NTCA Survey to Guide Work on Fiber Supply Chain Issues
- 2021
-
A Notable Year, And One on the Way
When An Industry Is More Like a Family
NTCA Members Train Cybersecurity Muscles in "Breached!" Exercise
NTCA Leads 254 Organizations in Calling for USF Contributions Reform
NTCA Celebrates National Rural Health Day
When "Schoolhouse Rock!" Becomes Real
Every Little Girl Can Grow Up to Become Chairwoman of the FCC
NTCA Stands Up for Community-Based Providers in New ReConnect Rules
Watching Tech and Data Come Together
Now Is the Time to Aim High and Look Local
How CTC Partnered with Municipalities to Expand Broadband
Avoid Survey Fatigue- Help NTCA Tell Your Deployment Story
The Rural Broadband Industry Gathers- In Person!
Fall Conference 2021- Here We Come!
2021 FRS Congressional Broadband Tour Returns to Montana
Putting Safety First for Our In-Person Events
Women In Telecom Have One More Virtual Adventure
Know Anyone Who is eXtremely eXceptional?
Things Keep Heating Up For FRS
Golden West Asks Senators to Support Future-Proof Rural Broadband Networks
NTCA Leadership Gathers - In Person!
Bridging the Digital Divide with Affordable, Accessible Broadband Connectivity
Speaking for NTCA Members on Capitol Hill
Working with Municipalities: One Approach Does Not Fit All
Totelcom Communications Shares Their Story With Congress
Community-Based Providers Get the Job Done
Virtual Advocacy Does Not Slow Down NTCA Broadband Providers
CyberShare Joins ISAC Council and Partners with SecurityScorecard
Aim Low and That's What You Get
Rural America’s Critical Connection – FRS Takes a Look Back
March is Wellness Month- Even in a Pandemic!
Senators, Tech Executives Discuss Cyber Breach Reporting Requirements
Working From Home- A Whole New Ballgame!
The Bill Signing Ceremony Missed
Approaching RDOF Next Steps with Transparency and Accountability
- 2020
-
Working with Municipalities: One Approach Does Not Fit All
Looking at 2020 in the Rear View Mirror
Some Early Thoughts on RDOF Results
When the Broadband Money’s Awarded, the Job’s Just Beginning – and There are Clouds on the Horizon
‘Just Good Enough’ Broadband Isn’t Good Enough
NTCA Members are Connecting Their Communities to the World – Don’t Keep it a Secret!
What is it Really Like to Live Without Broadband?
CBRS and RDOF Both Show Great NTCA Member Engagement
Patients, Physicians, Pandemic, Progress
Other Covid Impacts on the Supply Chain Front
NTCA Members Are Doing Everything They Can to Keep Americans Connected
Smart Rural Communities – The Path Forward
Sharing the Rural Broadband Story in the Covid-19 Age
NTCA Members’ Networks Proving Themselves in Time of Crisis
Keeping Critical Connections is Key
Cyber Hygiene Needs to Stay Top of Mind!
RDOF Is Too Critical For a Dice Roll
Virtual Living Room Opens in Bristol, Vermont
White House Releases Rural Community Action Guide on Response to Addiction Issues
5G, Workforce of the Future and Next Steps for ReConnect