As NTCA kicks off RTIME later today, this issue features several timeless interviews from the Smart Rural Community Live conference last summer. These are great primers for the type of content that one can expect this week at RTIME. But first, a look at an interesting initiative from telecom operator BT’s innovation group and its efforts to improve EV charging. Based on this author’s recent charging experience, this type of effort may make sense in the U.S. as well.
Thanks again to the Broadband Forum, my employer, for its support of this newsletter. To be clear, the views and opinions expressed herein are not those of the Broadband Forum.
Telecom Rights-of-Way Enable New EV Charging Opportunity
The push to make EV charging as ubiquitous as the petrol station is a challenge as getting the right-of-way to run power is costly and time-consuming. Etc. at BT may have found a way to solve this problem by using their existing cabinets and power connections to create a new network of chargers. This may portend opportunities for U.S. rural operators.
No Judgement – Just Solutions
The Honorable Fred Moses highlights the critical role of broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural America, in enabling effective and equitable justice. His comments, filmed at NTCA’s SRC Live, summarize his participation in that event’s panel titled, Things in Society We Don’t Often Like to Talk About. Mose’s comments focus on the challenges of protecting domestic violence victims, as well as ensuring people succeed in drug court programs.
Reach Out to Your Local Family Farmer
Broadband is critical to the family farm. The family farm is significant as, collectively, they comprise more than 98% of the nation’s 2 million farms, according to Emily Buckman, Director of Government Affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation. The integration of technology and connectivity makes the family farm an important customer and ally in rural Broadband Service Providers (BSP) efforts to serve rural America.
The Smart and Secure Farm & More
“Agriculture faces no less of a threat from cybersecurity incidents or adversarial impacts than any other industry,” says NTCA’s Josh Seidemann. Seidemann, who is NTCA’s VP of Policy and Innovation, provides terrifying examples of potential vulnerabilities as agriculture becomes increasingly reliant on technology.
Observations from Afar for Now
One of the appeals of joining the Broadband Forum was the opportunity to broaden my horizons and explore this giant and yet small orb we all call home. In that regard, I have been doing some research on the German telecom market in preparation for, what is unofficially called, the Broadband Forum week, March 4-8, 2024, in Mainz, Germany.
Some Chirps and Short Thoughts
- The Broadband Forum is looking for ideas for use cases that operators would like to see demonstrated in 2024. Email me if you have one or are interested in learning more.
- @SmartEnergySum Great to see innovative ideas discussed at the Smart Energy Summit come to life!
- Parallels between broadband and electric vehicles, but this time the parallel is with subsidies and taxes.
The Korner – EV Charging Batters My Self-Esteem
This is the true tale of EV range anxiety in Texas that could have been alleviated with fast EV chargers and a much simpler payment system. It is two decades later and the technology overlords continue to batter my self-esteem.
In 2005, it was the lowly PC that beat me into submission. In 2024, it is EV charging and the complications of trying to juice up in Texas that almost had this author in tears. The biggest concern is that I might be turning into Jay Pritchett from Modern Family.
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