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Send an email to: sponsor@viodi.com<\/strong><\/p>\n Please forward<\/strong> this free publication to anyone you know who is involved in some way with independent telephone companies. <\/p>\n Mission of the Viodi View:<\/strong><\/p>\n In this on-line publication, we share our analysis, opinions and direction on the interactive television news and views that we believe will be of interest and use to our friends associated directly or indirectly with independent telephone companies. For more information as to the various ways Viodi works with independent telephone companies, please go to http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/alliance\/<\/a><\/p>\n Disclaimer:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] and its associates used their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, the Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.<\/p>\n All displayed trademarks, logos and service marks are the property of their respective owners. \u00a9 2005Viodi, LLC<\/a>. All Rights Reserved. Viodi View Newsletter – June 28th, 2006<\/strong> <\/p>\n By Ken Pyle<\/strong> Independent<\/strong> \u2013 a word that is bandied about all of the time when describing the mostly rural telcos discussed in this very magazine, the independent. I have been thinking about what independent means a great deal lately. It might be the recent fifth anniversary of Viodi that has triggered these thoughts. Often times, I imagine Viodi\u2019s growing pains are similar to what the independent telcos<\/strong> went through during their years of struggle as they established telephone service in areas where no one else dared go<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Creating a telephone network from scratch was a risky proposition for these entrepreneurial individuals or groups of individuals. The fundamental thing that drove these pioneers was the desire to improve their communities<\/strong>. Independent Telcos\u2019 customer first attitude remains strong today, as evidenced by the responses to various Viodi surveys where independent telcos repeatedly suggest that the number one reason for adding a service is to better their community.<\/p>\n Competition<\/strong> was never an issue, as it was never profitable to build two networks in rural areas. That\u2019s changed in the past few years, as competition is coming from the expected sources, such as the offspring of Ma Bell, cable operators and wireless carriers, as well as new Internet-based operators that create applications which layer onto existing broadband networks. <\/p>\n How each telco adapts to this new market reality will be different and will depend upon its particular circumstances. There may be some that decide to take a \u201cwholesale\u201d model and focus on providing a high-quality last mile pipe, while others will decide to augment this pipe with full suite of telco-branded services; essentially deciding to become a media company<\/strong> at some level. Regardless of which path an independent telco follows, it will stay relevant to its community by acting like a start-up, thinking locally, adapting globally, and working together as an industry<\/p>\n John Wilson<\/strong>, formerly of Horizon Chillicothe<\/strong> and now an independent telecom consultant, put it best when he suggested that, \u201c[Telcos] have to take a risk and get back to what the telephone pioneers did.\u201d In other words, the mindset within an independent telco has to be that the future, while bright, is not guaranteed and that risks will have to be taken, mistakes made and plans quickly adapted to reflect an ever changing environment. <\/p>\n The independent telco\u2019s inherent advantage<\/strong> is its connection to the communities it serves. Knowing the needs of the community allows an independent telco to fashion services and content into packages that the out-of-town competition is hard pressed to duplicate. Additionally, because the independent telco is typically the technology leader in its community, it has the opportunity to introduce and modify Internet and Interactive Television applications to meet the needs of its community. <\/p>\n Finally, independent telcos live up to their name in that they are all unique and have their own ways of doing things. The great thing is that independent telcos are free to provide what works best for their own community, but the challenge is that they don\u2019t necessarily have the economy of scale of a larger organization. This may be the independent telcos\u2019 biggest challenge and biggest opportunity, as the industry would be that much stronger if it can find a way to harness its collective brainpower without destroying the very independence that makes them a unique American institution. <\/strong><\/p>\n Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n Previous Issue<\/a><\/p>\n Viodi View Subscribe<\/strong><\/p>\n Salutation<\/p>\n Mr. Ms. M. Mrs. Miss Dr. <\/p>\n First Name <\/p>\n Last Name<\/p>\n Email<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n Privacy Policy<\/a> <\/p>\n Meet Viodi @ OPASTCO<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 43rd Annual Summer Convention A Must Attend Event for Anyone Interested in the Independent Telco Market<\/strong> <\/p>\n Happy Flag Day!<\/strong><\/p>\n FTTX Network Architecture Seminar:<\/a><\/strong> ADC is pleased to invite you to an interactive seminar series focused on FTTX Network Architecture. This informative 2-1\/2 day program provides highly in-depth, hands-on training on the issues that are important to WHEN: July 18-20, 2006<\/p>\n Click here for more info<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Network PVRs Are Desired, But Operators Have Doubts<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n
5255 Stevens Creek, #127 Santa Clara, CA 95051<\/p>\n![\"Click](\"http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/local\/conferencelogo.gif\")
Click here to learn more about Viodi’s Local Content Workshop<\/a> <\/p>\nStill Independent…..<\/strong><\/h3>\n
ken.pyle@viodi.com<\/p>\n![\"Click](\"http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/newsletter\/060301\/summit_web_button.jpg\")
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The Homestead
Hot Springs, VA
July 15-19, 2006<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n
Understanding PON Design<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
anyone deploying FTTX or considering it.<\/p>\n![\"Learn](\"http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/newsletter\/040301\/promo-2-27-audience.gif\")
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Independent Local Content- Click Here to Learn More <\/a> <\/p>\n![\"NPVR](\"http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/images\/npvr_image.gif\")
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