Bob Phillips Introduces NRTConnects
June 22, 2009--The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative is launching a new newsletter in July—NRTConnects—to keep members and friends of NRTC abreast of new technologies, to understand how they will impact member businesses and communities, and to learn what NRTC is doing with and for its members to bring communications solutions that work for rural America.
The mission of NRTC is to support its members by delivering telecommunications solutions to strengthen your business, promote economic development and improve the quality of life in rural America. Today, forces at work make that mission more vital than ever.
First, the advent of Internet Protocol has resulted in a convergence of networks, applications and technologies. With our help, members are using IPTV to deliver video to rural America. A new administration has made the “smart grid” a national priority. NRTC helped many members adopt advanced metering infrastructure technology before the government knew it was “smart.” Finally, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes funding to expand broadband in rural America…something our members have been doing for years with satellite Internet and other technologies. We recently enhanced that effort by making an opportunity to deploy WiMAX available to members.
Each of these forces is driven by the rapid pace of change and is united by the common thread of new and evolving communications technologies that are increasingly interrelated. What next-generation video services will consumers want? What will it take to make the grid smart? How can we bring broadband to everyone who wants it? How will these technologies work together? And, how can rural America benefit from the same advancements offered to our urban neighbors?
We look forward exploring these topics with you each month. We plan to send the July issue soon. If you do not receive the newsletter by e-mail, or would like to share with us your feedback, please e-mail nrtconnects@nrtc.coop.
Sincerely,
Bob Phillips
President and Chief Executive Officer