
One of the best things about the conference circuit is seeing new and old friends in different environments. And Chicago is becoming an ever more attractive environment for conferences as, after an intense day of learning, the beautiful Chicago River or Lake Michigan shore is a great way to reset the mind for the following day. This author was blessed to experience the so-called Second City twice in about a three-month period.
#TIS19 Overview – Feeling Like Part of the Family

With close to 100 participants, the inaugural Marketing Innovators Group meeting was a huge success and an example of the increasing marketing focus NCTC is bringing to its members. Pam Gillies, NCTC’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, provides her perspective as a first-time attendee to TIS19 and comments that this year’s event made her “feel like part of the family.”
A Great Message for All of Us – #TIS19

“It was a great message for all of us,” said Matt Polka, president, and CEO of ACA Connects. Polka was referring to the presentation by Jeff Corwin, biologist, wildlife conservationist and CuriosityStream TV host, where he emphasized the importance of protecting the natural environment. Speaking at TIS19, Polka discusses some of the highlights of the 2019 Independent Show, including the ACA’s work in Washington regarding retransmission consent and the proposed Modern Television Act of 2019.
More Spectrum for 5G, More Fiber for Rural America

Reclamation of at least 370 MHz of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz C-Band spectrum for “5G” uses is what Ross Lieberman, SVP of Government Affairs for ACA Connects, indicates would be made available under their plan submitted to the FCC. An important element of what the FCC terms the ACA Connects Coalition proposal is that existing video would be moved from satellites to existing or new fiber optic facilities. The bonus of this proposed spectrum reallocation is that it would bring mid-mile fiber to rural communities that are otherwise thinly connected to the Internet.
Another Tool in the Broadband Toolbox

The final 300 feet is often the toughest for broadband providers. Whether in a large house, a business or a multi-dwelling unit, structures with their legacy wiring, walls and various construction materials present challenges for operators in bringing gigabit from the demarcation point to the end device. This was the topic of an NTCA Business and Technology panel moderated by this author and featuring speakers from a service provider, PTCI, an engineering firm, Monte R. Lee and a supplier of MoCA extension equipment, InCoax Networks.
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts
- @BoyersPatty on @cspan indicates that 4 of the 5 rural counties she serves have median incomes below the national poverty line, which makes it a challenge to provide affordable CATV service, particularly since her programming costs are greater than urban areas.
- In his newsletter, Princeton Professor Kornhauser points to the excellent summary by ITNAmerica Founder Katherine Freund of the potential for automated driving to improve mobility for the senior population. Her organization could be an interesting partner for rural broadband operators. Watch her presentation (YouTube) from the SmartDrivingCar Summit.
- @bradtem “Rural ‘EVBnBs’ — BnBs aimed at EV Road Trippers — Can Enable Electric Cars Off The Beaten Path.” Could this be another potential revenue source for rural operators?
Scooter Sharing with a Seat #CES2019

Erin Bita, Vice President Global Marketing of Razor, explains how they have listened to their customers and municipalities in the creation of their scooter-share business, Razor Share. From a product perspective, Razor designs and builds two-wheel scooters, as well as the EcoSmart Electric Scooter with a seat and basket that Bita rides and describes in the above video.
This privately held company prides itself on working with the community by hiring local employees (instead of freelancers), providing nightly maintenance, geofencing scooters to areas permitted by cities and sharing analytic data with those cities. Of course, just like the kick-scooters that launched this company, their electric products are available for purchase for those who prefer to own rather than rent.
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