NRECA to Launch New Broadband Tier to Help Members Bridge Digital Divide

NRECA is forming a new broadband tier of services to help electric cooperatives navigate the challenges of deploying broadband in the communities they serve. The broadband tier “is in response to the telecommunications needs of a significant and growing number of our members,” NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said. “NRECA’s mission is to be an advocate for quality of life in the diverse communities our members serve. Increasingly, our members’ missions include providing access to affordable broadband for unserved and underserved Americans as part of that commitment.” The vision for the broadband tier, based on feedback from dozens of co-op leaders, is to offer additional benefits such as focused relationship-building and lobbying on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies, plus exclusive events and publications and enhanced services and analyses, he said. Membership is voluntary and will carry an additional fee. Any NRECA voting electric co-op exploring broadband service can join for $6,000 per year. Co-ops that are already providing broadband service to consumers can join for $12,000 plus $1 per broadband consumer per year. Over 200 electric co-ops offer broadband service and another 100 to 200 are studying it. Ultimately, about 400 electric co-ops are expected to enter the broadband space.