Patty Boyer’s comments complimenting Pat Thompson evoke the image of runners passing the baton in an endless race to improve the quality of the rural communications infrastructure. Boyers and Thompson’s connections with others in the industry may be even more impactful than their direct work. Simply, they inspire others to do great things in their respective communities.
Build a BEAD Buffer
Build a buffer is Shelby Pardy’s advice to operators thinking of participating in NTIA’s BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program. Pardy, an analyst for Vantage Point Solutions, points out this is more than budgeting extra dollars for inflationary pressures. It means dealing with new rules such as workforce diversity/training, climate resiliency, and sourcing requirements (Build/Buy America).
Feeling the Energy with Gary Shorman at #TIS22
The bad news is that Viodi missed the 2023 Independent Show. The good news is that this 2022 interview with past NCTC Chair, Gary Shorman, captures the excitement of this in-person event. A big congratulations to Gary for the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him at TIS2023.
The Next Generation Community Event
Featuring the one and only Woz (Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak), Paul Bunyan Communications’ GigaZone TechXpo was more than a fun gaming event. It also provided attendees with career-path options, in IT and other technology-centric areas, that they might not otherwise consider. The GigaZone TechXpo represents the kind of involvement that differentiates locally owned and managed ISPs from larger, out-of-town competitors.
The Intersection of Community Building & Future Mobility at the Culdesac
Instead of housing cars (parking lots), Culdesac Tempe’s focus is on community and mobility for its residents. Mobility starts with the creation of a walkable neighborhood but includes the integration of technologies and services that allow people to live without owning a car. This could be the start of a new kind of smart community that includes autonomous mobility as a feature.
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts
- Hmmm, maybe the title of this section should change to X’s and O’s
- After reading Brad Templeton’s article, reading 15 reports from the SF Fire Department, and viewing/reading some of Cruise/Waymo’s training literature, it seems like there should be a working group between the public safety agencies and autonomous vehicle companies to standardize procedures and set performance standards for emergency responses.
- HAAS Alert wants to be part of such a conversation between public safety/municipal governments & autonomous vehicle operators and believes its Cellular-to-Vehicle alert system could be part of a solution.
- The FAA’s authorization of Pyka’s fixed-wing, all-electric crop sprayer promises to reduce environmental impact, improve safety, and increase farmer productivity. The U.S. will now join Brazil, Costa Rica, and Honduras where this technology is deployed.
- The SMART Park is a great way for Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) to grow its electric, fiber, and propane business, while also being a driver of local economic development. This private-sector project promises to make “it easier for new business to get down to business.”
The Korner – The Bridge Between the Cable Past & the Broadband Future – #Summit23
Pat Thompson has lived the future. When she was told that “Women don’t do that,” she persisted and became the first woman broker in the still nascent cable television industry. It was an improbable career change for a single mother of three from Montana who had only settled in Colorado a few years earlier with no experience in cable television.
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