Bloomfield Urges NTCA Members to “Take Back” the Rural Broadband Narrative

In a reference to all the attention and funding that is being focused on rural broadband, NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield said, “We need to be making hay while the sun is shining.” Bloomfield highlighted two new initiatives aimed at helping members make hay. One is a partnership with fiber manufacturer Corning that will bring an “exclusive supply of connectivity solutions set aside for NTCA members.” Those offerings, she said, will be made available on a “first-come, first-served basis.” The other news is a partnership with Northwood Technical College for an online training program paired with apprenticeship training aimed at building a stronger workforce to support new broadband deployments. Bloomfield threw down a challenge to wireless internet service providers (WISPs), cable companies and other types of providers that have been touting their rural broadband activities. “It’s time to take back that narrative,” said Bloomfield. “You are deploying fiber as quickly as you can get your hands on it,” she said. Noting that there are 85 new members of Congress, she said, “It’s time to take your story up to Capitol Hill.”