CONGRATS TO OUR 2023 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS WINNER: WOW! INTERNET, TV & PHONE
Just Announced!
Frank Luntz Keynote Speaker #Summit2024
2024 Preview Issue!
Insightful articles anticipating the dynamic landscape of 2024, including strategies on navigating the challenges and opportunities that define our Members’ commitment to investment and innovation in the upcoming year. ICN ISSUE 11 - DECEMBER 2023
10 / ELECTION 2024: CHAOS OR COMMON GROUND
ATION NOW OPEN!
6 / GEARING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR: ANTICIPATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2024
9 / ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS: START MAKING PLANS FOR 2024!
BY FRANK LUNTZ, COMMUNICATION ADVISOR AND POLLSTER
14 / ACA CONNECTS: APPLYING A FULL-COURT PRESS IN WASHINGTON AND BEYOND IN 2024
ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! 2
December 2023 - Issue 11
18 / THE ROAD AHEAD
FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE:
22 / A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE BROADBAND FOR ALL
26 / BEAD IMPLEMENTATION: MOVING AT FULL SPEED
32 / GOVERNING IN WASHINGTON AND THE STATE OF PLAY HEADING INTO 2024
36 / WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COMPLIANCE CORNER
34 /CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS WINNER: WOW! INTERNET, TV & PHONE
30 / CALIX
HARNESS DATA ANALYTICS TO UNLEASH YOUR SUCCESS POTENTIAL
31 / VIAMEDIA
THE STATE OF VIDEO ADVERTISING: TEAR DOWN THOSE WALLS
17 / THE CABLE CENTER
CONNECTING & PREPARING THE INDUSTRY FOR A SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE-FOCUSED FUTURE
38 / WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY
AT WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, ALL ELITE WRESTLING CREATES SUPERFANS
39 / WESCO
BEYOND THE ‘BURBS: A Q&A WITH WESCO AND CORNING
40 / A+E NETWORKS
A+E NETWORKS® FEATURES HEROES, RIVALS AND SPIRITS IN 2024
41 / TAK COMMUNICATIONS
TAK COMMUNICATIONS, ONE OF AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING BROADBAND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES COMPANIES FOCUSES ON CUSTOMER QUALITY AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Independent Communications News
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Editor's Note ICN, 'The Gift that Keeps on Giving' Welcome to another jam-packed edition of Independent Communications News (ICN)! As we take time to celebrate the holiday season, we also celebrate our fourth and final issue of ICN for the year. Our last issue, published in September 2023, broke record highs in the number of impressions and reads. Cheers to a successful past and continued success! [Insert infomercial voice] But wait, there's more! In this issue, we have three new guest authors. Our first guest is a well-known communications consultant, pollster, and analyst. He isn't new to ACA Connects Members; his last interaction with ACAC was a members-only discussion in 2021, “Understanding the American Electorate and its Impact on Politicians in Policy." If you guessed Frank Luntz, you guessed right! In this issue of ICN, Frank Luntz shares an insightful perspective regarding the 2024 election with ACA Connects Members. Make sure to read his article, "Election 2024: Chaos or Common Ground." ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer utilizes the opportunity to reflect on a successful 2023 and highlights opportunities and challenges for 2024. ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers doesn't take her foot off the gas as she talks about ACA Connects 'Applying a Full-Court Press in Washington and Beyond in 2024.' Our second new guest author is Cable One Chief Growth Officer and ACA Connects Vice-Chair Mike Bowker. Mike continues with the theme of reflection and looking to the future by sharing his perspective as an ACAC Board and Operator Member. He also emphasizes the importance of attending Summit 2024. Speaking of Summit 2024, it's hard to believe that it's just a few months away on March 5-7, 2024 in Washington, D.C. ACA Connects VP of Member Services Stacey Leech provides a brief update on the event, reminds Members that online registration is open, and to RSVP for the MasterClass hosted by Syndeo Institute. That brings me to my next mention, and our third new guest author, Diane Christman, President & CEO of the Syndeo Institute. Diane writes about a new chapter at The Cable Center and their commitment to preserving our industry's story and history. It's an interesting read. Check it out. Not to be overshadowed by all the previously mentioned great content, the ACA Connects Regulatory team and outside counsel provide imptorant updates regarding topics such as digital discrimination, Title II, BEAD, ACP, C-Band, EAS, and much more. The 2023 Community Champions contest is over and a winner has been announced. Check out Stacey Leech's article on page 34 to see who won! Alright, it's time to circle back to the title of my editor's note. As we look to publish four more great issues in 2024, you can think of ICN as 'the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.' Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! ■
icn AN ACA CONNECTS PUBLICATION. SINCE 1993.
Publisher John Higginbotham 502.330.4057 jhigginbotham@acaconnects.org Editor / Creative Director Nathan Penrod 412.715.2494 npenrod@acaconnects.org Advertising/Business Stacey Leech 724.971.6388 stacey.leech@acaconnects.org Subscriptions aca@acaconnects.org
ACA CONNECTS STAFF President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer EVP & COO John Higginbotham Chief Regulatory Counsel Brian Hurley Director of Regulatory Affairs Bill Tortoriello Vice President of Member Services Stacey Leech Manager of Member Services Tomeika Slappy Director of Digital and Social Media Nathan Penrod
ACA Connects Headquarters: 401 Brkich Way, Suite 6 Beaver, PA 15009 412.922.8300
www.acaconnects.org
Nathan Penrod ACA Connects Director of Digital and Social Media 5
Industry News
Gearing Up for the New Year: Anticipating Opportunities for 2024 By Grant Spellmeyer
ACA Connects President & CEO As we enter the month of December, I can’t help but reflect on what a watershed year it has been at ACA Connects. We remain the preeminent trade association for small and medium-sized rural broadband, cable, and phone providers in the United States. We got off to a fast start in early March, celebrating ACA Connects’ 30th Anniversary at our annual Summit in Washington, D.C., where we had close to 250 in attendance, including 90 first-time attendees. ACA Connects leadership traveled extensively during 2023, visiting member operations in a number of places, including Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Alaska. The guidance and direction of the ACA Connects Board of Directors enables us to keep our association moving forward. We were pleased to have the following five outstanding individuals appointed to our board in 2023: • Marty Carollo, All West Communications • Paul Cronin, i3 Broadband • Rob DiNardo, WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone • John Reardon, Schurz Communications, Inc. • Stacey Slaughter, NCTI (Associate Board Member) We reorganized the ACAC Staff, promoting Stacey Leech to Vice President of Member Services; Nathan Penrod to Director of Digital & Social Media; and Tomeika Slappy to Manager of Member Services. We
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also welcomed new staff member Bill Tortoriello as Director of Regulatory Affairs. Working with the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC), we co-hosted another fantastic Independent Show in Minneapolis. Last updated in 2020, revisions to ACA Connects Bylaws were adopted this year to streamline and simplify the bylaws and better align them with our mission and with our existing practices. Turning to Washington, D.C., 2023 was a busy year full of policy successes. We began the year with a big win on retransmission consent: the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) refusal to approve the merger of Standard General and TEGNA, a deal that had been intricately engineered to increase retransmission consent fees. Later in the year, ACA Connects and its industry colleagues persuaded the FCC to roll back some of its most onerous requirements for broadband labels. We’ve also helped members prepare to implement the labels, as well as complete the related Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) data collection.
“SEPTEMBER WAS A BIG MONTH. I WAS HONORED TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE – SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY" and risks of doing business. We will fight to protect our Members’ interests at the FCC, on Capitol Hill and in other forums as necessary. • We also face an uncertain future for ACP. Efforts are underway to secure funds to keep the program running beyond next Spring, but success has proven elusive so far. We need to be prepared for a possible lapse in funding, which has the potential to be highly disruptive for consumers and providers alike.
In addition, we stayed active in the Broadband Access, Equity, and Deployment program (BEAD) as the program heated up, both at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and in the States. Our advocacy helped improve NTIA guidance for State “challenge processes,” and we continue to work hand in hand with Members to shape BEAD policies at the State level – in California, Ohio, Louisiana and beyond. September was a big month. I was honored to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee – Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for a hearing on “Lights, Camera, Subscriptions: The State of the Video Marketplace.”
• In addition, 2024 will be a big year for BEAD. After their Initial Proposals are approved, States will conduct challenge processes and then start accepting applications for project awards. We will continue to assist members as they assess whether and where to participate, and to help them protect themselves from BEAD-funded overbuilds. As we close out 2023, let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season. I look forward to gathering with you all in Washington, D.C., for our Summit. See you then! ■
Much work remains for 2024 – here are some highlights: • We have some big fights on our hands. The FCC recently adopted expansive “digital discrimination” rules and is headed down the road of reclassifying broadband under Title II. Both of these initiatives threaten to undermine our Members’ broadband investments and increase the costs
Independent Communications News
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ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
INDUSTRY NEWS
ACA Connects Members: Start Making Plans for 2024! By Stacey Leech ACA Connects VP of Member Services
With less than one month left in 2023, our focus has now shifted to the exciting things planned for ACA Connects Members – both operators AND vendors – in 2024! VENDOR PARTNERS: The end of December concludes our current Associate Member Program. Vendor companies who have participated in AMP23 should have received a renewal reminder on November 15. For the upcoming year, we have added benefits to every membership level, providing vendors even more opportunities to connect with our broadband and cable operators. You can view the 2024 program on our website by using this link. AMP24 membership is a requirement for vendors to participate in the many events and activities hosted by ACA Connects, the most notable being Summit 2024!
stacey.leech@acaconnects.org
VENDOR PARTNERS & OPERATOR MEMBERS: Registration is now open for our annual Summit, scheduled for March 5-7, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This 3-day event includes educational sessions discussing the most important issues for our broadband and cable operator members, compelling keynote speakers and knowledgeable panelists, plenty of opportunities to network with colleagues, exclusive exhibit hours to peruse the latest vendor solutions, and a day of meetings on Capitol Hill. Only AMP24 partners have access to the sponsorships and exhibit spaces available at the conference. Visit the ACA Connects website or use this link for direct access to the Summit pages. And be sure to RSVP for the MasterClass, hosted by Syndeo Institute, that is included with your registration! OPERATOR MEMBERS: Are you taking advantage of everything available to you as a Member of ACA Connects? Have you recently logged into the Members’ Lounge? It’s filled with information on the BEAD program, a retrans toolkit, and on-demand replays of webinars. Are you receiving the Daily Media Sweeps, semi-monthly Action Briefs, Member eblasts, and other important electronic communications? Signing up is as simple as sending us your contact information! Do you have something exciting going on in your company? Share it with us so we can highlight it in the Media Sweep for even more coverage! The entire staff at ACA Connects is looking forward to another year of serving our operator members and partnering with the vendor community! CHEERS TO 2024! ■
Stacey Leech is ACA Connects Vice President of Member Services. She serves as the liaison between the association and ACA Connects AMP vendor partners. Stacey works to develop marketing plans that maximize membership benefits and leverage sponsorship opportunities.
Independent Communications News
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Keynote Speaker | #Summit2024
Election 2024: Chaos or Common Ground By Frank Luntz Communication Advisor and Pollster It’s finally here. As I write this, Iowa is readying itself for another caucus night and New Hampshire is printing its ballots for just one week later. The two partisan frontrunners are miles ahead of their opponents, even though two-thirds of the country doesn’t want a rematch of 2020. And every week brings another surprise retirement of a long-serving Senator or Congressperson. Welcome to 2024, the election most people are dreading. As am I. Even though the Israeli-Hamas war is the center of attention right now, and the challenge of China and the Russia-Ukraine war are increasingly contentious, there really is only one issue that matters to most of America: affordability. Notice I didn’t say inflation. The “i” word is what politicians, pundits and pollsters all call it, but the rest of America talks about prices and costs – and complains that everything is more expensive this year than last year. Inflation dominates voter concerns … and nothing comes close. For Democrats, healthcare costs are the second highest priority, while gun violence finishes third. For Republicans, the Mexican border and broader immigration issues have their attention, as well as the rise in crime. Notice how both parties prioritize crime, only they see the problem and solution from radically different perspectives. Opinions about two presidential frontrunners are equally divided – and both candidates have a rocky road ahead. For President Biden, who just turned 81, his age is increasingly a stumbling block to his re-election, with younger voters abandoning him in surprisingly high numbers. He’s also showing slippage among black males and among the Hispanic community, two groups he needs to win reelection. Moreover, the public refuses to give him credit for a relatively successful economy, preferring to blame him
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Frank Luntz
for inflation rather than applaud him for low unemployment. For former-President Trump, the hurdle of 91 individual felony accounts in four different court cases, not to mention the various civil trials, will have an unknown impact in November – though it appears to be having no effect at all in the GOP primary. No president has ever been charged with a felony, and only one president has ever come back from a loss to recapture the White House four years later. Yet Trump is tied or leads Biden narrowly in nationwide polls – and appears to be even or slightly ahead in the key swing states. We will talk about all of this when I see you in March, but let me leave you with one final thought… Spending on elections are expected to reach $20 billion in 2024. And most of that will be spent in swing states and swing districts. If you live in PA, MI, WS, NC, GA or AZ, you’ll definitely feel it. And if you’re one of the 5% who remains undecided, expect to be deluged with political advertising. The campaigns would be better off buying you a steak dinner every month – for that’s what they will spend to win your vote. Happy dining. ■
DAILY MEDIA SWEEP There isn’t a publication, print or digital, that covers the unique concerns of ACA Connects Members on a daily or even weekly basis!
Filled with a smart collection of articles, charts, Tweets and news from ACA Connects, the Daily Media Sweep is designed to inform the people who operate America’s independent video and broadband networks. Although the Daily Media Sweep is a quick read on any device for the time-constrained reader, it also offers the ability to dig beneath the surface by calling up full stories and linked documents, such as FCC filings, legal briefs and court decisions.
SUBSCRIBE
Independent Communications News
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Industry News
ACA Connects: Applying a Full-Court Press in Washington and Beyond in 2024 By Patricia Jo Boyers President/CEO & Co-Founder of BOYCOM and ACA Connects Chairman Hey y’all! I am so very honored to serve as Chairman of this great association. The Members are the heart and soul of ACA Connects, and every day, I am amazed by all you do to serve your customers and communities. You have invested billions to bring high-speed broadband services to rural areas and small markets that are often overlooked by the largest providers. You continue to upgrade and improve your networks in response to growing competition, as well as expand into new areas. And when the COVID-19 pandemic put your networks to the test, they were able to handle the load. Broadband in America is a success story – and our Members play a starring role.
“THE MEMBERS ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF ACA CONNECTS, AND EVERY DAY, I AM AMAZED BY ALL YOU DO TO SERVE YOUR CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITIES." This is a story that Washington, D.C., needs to hear, now more than ever. After two-plus years of delay, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) now has the votes to move forward with burdensome new rules. We saw it last month with the adoption of digital discrimination rules that go way beyond anything Congress could have intended. As Brian Hurley discusses in his article, (See ‘A Missed Opportunity to Achieve Broadband for All’ at page 22) the FCC’s approach will only create friction for service providers who making the necessary investments to deploy the high-speed broadband that everyone wants. Do you 14
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“WITH THE SUPPORT FROM OUR STELLAR TEAM, HE [GRANT SPELLMEYER] HAS CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ACA CONNECTS’ REPUTATION AS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN WASHINGTON."
need the FCC looking over your shoulder, second-guessing your decisions where to build, where to upgrade, and how to offer your services? Me neither. But that’s the course the FCC is taking. If that’s not enough, the FCC is preparing to move forward with reclassifying broadband as a highly regulated Title II service. We know from the FCC’s prior experiment with Title II that it will create substantial compliance costs and uncertainty, especially for smaller providers. At a time when the government and private sector are making a big push to close the digital divide once and for all, Title II will take us in the opposite direction: less investment and innovation, less competition, higher prices, and more red tape. And that’s not all. We expect the FCC to keep busy in 2024 on a variety of proceedings that may create new burdens and challenges for members – such as restrictions on data caps or requirements to reimburse customers during channel blackouts that would only give broadcasters more leverage in retrans negotiations. Next year will also be pivotal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. We must continue to encourage the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the States to spend the $42 Billion efficiently and effectively. Most importantly: NO OVERBUILDING!
There is no doubt that we have our work cut out for us in 2024, but WE ARE READY! Our President and CEO, Grant Spellmeyer, is entering his third calendar year of service. With the support from our stellar team, he has continued to advance ACA Connects’ reputation as a force to be reckoned with in Washington. As a testament to his leadership and the stature of our organization, he was invited to testify before Congress this fall on the state of the video marketplace. We look forward to building on these efforts in 2024. 2023 has been relatively light (for most of the year) in terms of new regulations. We cannot expect the same in 2024. It will take a full-court press – on Capitol Hill, at the FCC, at other Federal agencies, and in the States – to protect your interests. ■
Patricia Jo Boyers is President and CEO of BOYCOM Vision located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Independent Communications News
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Connect Deploying Broadband Together Deploying a rural broadband network can be challenging. Wesco has the solutions to help you every step of the way.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Connecting & Preparing the Industry for a Sustainable, Innovative-Focused Future By Diane Christman President and CEO, Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center Many of you are familiar with The Cable Center, an esteemed nonprofit organization that serves as a repository for industry artifacts, archives, and oral histories. This past April, The Cable Center introduced a fresh operating brand, Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center. While this transformation signifies a new chapter for our organization, we continue our unwavering commitment to preserving and stewarding our industry story and history.
Our mission seamlessly combines both “Head” and “Heart.” “Head” is represented by the Intrapreneurship Academy––our robust, cuttingedge thought leadership and experiential learning programs, innovation-focused events, and the modern storytelling that assembles a community of visionaries and change-makers primed to drive the industry forward. We have asked many of you how we can make the Intrapreneurship Academy more accessible. You spoke, and we listened! In response to our stakeholders’ valuable feedback, we are restructuring our Intrapreneurship Academy content into various price points with easier-to-digest modules, all without diluting the essentials of the material content.
The name “Syndeo” originates from the Greek word for connection, reflecting our dedication to education, fostering industry-wide relationships, and ensuring that the next generation of industry leaders is prepared! This mission is personified through our Intrapreneurship Academy, which equips leaders with the essential skills and tools needed to be intrapreneurial in the contemporary workplace. These skills, as entrepreneurs and leaders among you will appreciate, are paramount in today’s ever-evolving workplace.
Our intrapreneurship content is categorized into four Tracks–– Innovation, Agility, Leadership Skills, and AI. The same high quality is now delivered in several micro-learning formats: three-week interactive courses, webinars, masterclasses, and asynchronous online modules. We believe that building Intrapreneurs with the ability to innovate from within, find opportunities in change, master executive skills, and understand and utilize AI is pivotal to any organization’s success.
Diane Christman Our role as stewards of the industry’s legacy is a source of great pride and integrity. This is the “Heart” of our mission. We understand and appreciate the importance of chronicling the innovations, technological advancements, and stories that are the foundation of our industry's past and the inspiration behind its future. We celebrate how our industry has evolved to keep our communities and world connected. As we look ahead to our near and longer-term future, both the “Head” and “Heart” of our mission remain central. It is the “Heart “that bolsters the “Head,” inspiring us to expand the equipment archives, continue the proud tradition of the Cable Hall of Fame, gather individual stories through our Oral History program, and care for a majestic building that belongs to all of us. The “Head” - the Intrapreneurship Academy - allows us to come together to exchange ideas and pave the way forward, empowering the next generation to not only prepare for the future, but to design it. I am grateful for the opportunity to update you on our activities. We warmly invite you to visit us in person and enjoy a guided tour of the library and the archive; they are truly something special! ■
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Industry News
The Road Ahead By Mike Bowker Cable One Chief Growth Officer and ACA Connects Vice-Chair and Board Member Reflecting on 2023 2023 saw the connectivity industry continue to evolve in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Leading the charge on behalf of operators was ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer, who successfully navigated his first full year in this role, leveraging his industry expertise to strengthen the position of independent operators and influence positive change. The ACA Connects team hosted two outstanding events – the Summit in the spring and The Independent Show in the summer – both provided a forum for ACA Connects members to gain industry insights and engage with peers and policymakers. This past year, we added 15 new member companies to ACA Connects, the ACA Connects Board grew by four new members, and our ACA Connects team flourished, adding new members with diverse backgrounds and deep industry knowledge – all of which is proving invaluable in driving the association’s mission forward. The world is moving fast, and ACA Connects is staying ahead of it, continuing its role as a thought leader and reliable source of truth, able to work both sides of the aisle and all sides of the many issues our industry is facing.
From left: Alpine Group Principal & Chairman Rhod Shaw; Kelley Drye & Warren Partner Tom Cohen; Alpine Group SVP Alison Graab; Alpine Group VP Curtis Philp; ACAC Chief Regulatory Counsel Brian Hurley; and ACAC President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer speaking at TIS23 in Minneapolis, MN
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ACA Connects President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer speaking at the 30th Anniversary Dinner at Summit 2023 in Washington, D.C.
From an operator perspective, I am proud of all that the Cable One family of brands accomplished in 2023. We continued to deliver on our Purpose of connecting customers and communities to what matters most, and we are proud to be the trusted broadband provider for nearly 1,200 communities across rural America. In keeping with our commitment to advancing digital equity across our footprint, we extended broadband service to underserved residents, businesses, schools and libraries, and provided Gig speeds across 99 percent of our footprint. With approximately 3,000 associates and five brands across 24 states, we will remain focused on providing exceptional customer service, building a state-of-the-art network and strengthening the communities we serve through our philanthropic initiatives.
Sparklight Field Technician Ryan Tollefson installs high speed internet in Fargo.
Cable One Division Vice President Cheryl Goettsche presents Chromebooks to students at a Title I school in Idaho as part of the company’s Chromebooks for Kids program.
The ongoing work of ACA Connects in protecting our interests and serving as our voice on Capitol Hill enables Cable One and other small and medium-size operators to focus on the critical work of extending broadband service to previously unserved and underserved areas in the more rural parts of America. Looking to the Future Looking ahead to 2024, there are a number of key issues on the horizon, and our more than 500 members will be relying on ACA Connects to continue its fierce advocacy with regulators and lawmakers for fair treatment of independent operators. The burden the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposal to reinstate Title II will put upon small and mid-size operators is one issue that will require ACA Connects to convince the FCC it is more advantageous for the industry to work hand-inhand with legislators to improve broadband access across the U.S., rather than relitigating outdated regulatory battles. Another is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which should be an opportunity for independent operators to build essential infrastructure and close the digital divide, yet is putting the onus on incumbent operators to go to extensive lengths to prove that the areas they serve are, in fact, served. In 2024, we will also face uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) renewal, the need for retransmission consent reform and proposed digital discrimination regulation from the FCC, to name just a few key issues. As we look to tackle these matters, operator attendance at ACA Connects Summit 2024 is crucial. The Summit will provide members the opportunity to meet face-to-face with legislators and regulators who are receptive to discussing
Sparklight, part of the Cable One family of brands, presents a $5,000 grant to Finding Your Way Out of Poverty, an organization that helps high-school students and young adults in impoverished communities develop their leadership skills through mentoring, community engagement events, training and leadership development classes.
our near- and long-term issues. A united front of independent operators at the Summit is necessary in demonstrating to lawmakers our steadfast commitment to bringing fast and reliable broadband to the rural communities we collectively serve. No matter what 2024 has in store, I think I speak on behalf of all independent operators when I say that delivering state-of-the-art technology that enables communities to thrive, students to learn, and business to grow will continue to be at the heart of all that we do. Cheers to 2024! ■
Mike Bowker is Cable One Chief Growth Officer and ACA Connects Vice-Chair and Board Member.
Independent Communications News
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Industry News
A Missed Opportunity to Achieve Broadband for All By Brian Hurley ACA Connects Chief Regulatory Counsel Two years ago, Congress passed a law that changed the face of broadband policy in the United States. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) allotted $65 Billion for major new programs and initiatives, including Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, the Affordable Connectivity Program, and digital equity grants. These various programs serve different purposes but work together towards a common goal: closing the digital divide in the United States and enabling the benefits of broadband to be enjoyed by all. Tucked away in the IIJA is another provision that directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “facilitate equal access to broadband,” including by “preventing and eliminating digital discrimination of access based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion or national origin.” It’s a sensible idea. If we want to close the digital divide, we must find ways to remove barriers that prevent all Americans from gaining the benefits of broadband. And we can all agree that discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity and other such characteristics is unacceptable.
"IF WE WANT TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, WE MUST FIND WAYS TO REMOVE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT ALL AMERICANS FROM GAINING THE BENEFITS OF BROADBAND."
The FCC could have adopted rules that advance these common-sense principles. Unfortunately, it took a much broader and more intrusive approach that finds no basis in the law that Congress actually passed. The FCC adopted rules in November to address digital discrimination that are overbroad and misguided in numerous ways. To begin with, the rules target not only conduct that is intentionally discriminatory, but also conduct that produces “disparate impacts” based on characteristics listed in the statute. Moreover, any act 22
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"ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS PROVIDE THEIR SUBSCRIBERS WITH AT LEAST 100/20 MBPS BROADBAND SERVICE AND OFTEN WITH GIGABIT SERVICE, AND THERE IS EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT – IN THE CURRENT REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT – PERFORMANCE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE." or omission that creates a disparity in virtually any aspect of the provision of broadband service – including deployment, network upgrades, pricing, network reliability, and customer service wait times, to name only a few – could be found to violate the rules. Even if this heavy-handed approach were legally sound, it would still be bad policy. Since the mid1990s, broadband providers have invested in their networks over $2 trillion. As a result of their investments, ACA Connects Members provide their subscribers with at least 100/20 Mbps broadband service and often with gigabit service, and there is every reason to believe that – in the current regulatory environment – performance will continue to increase. In addition, our Members have expanded their broadband footprint by more than one-third from 2016 to 2021, and they continue to deliver game-changing broadband service to smaller markets and rural communities.
may face substantial forfeitures or other penalties if the Commission determines that it should have built somewhere else instead or in addition. Inevitably, providers think twice about such investments if the mere improvement of service or expansion – completely devoid of any discriminatory intent – could result in heavy penalties. At the least, providers will incur additional costs to collect and retain documentation about their investments and practices – to say nothing of the legal bills. This cannot be what Congress intended when it enacted the IIJA. The FCC itself acknowledges that the goals of this legislation are “to promote access to broadband internet access service and reduce the digital divide.” The FCC’s approach would undermine, rather than advance, these laudable goals. ■
Unfortunately, the FCC’s approach puts this continued progress at risk. Among its other faults, it suggests that a smaller provider that invests its limited resources to upgrade its existing facilities in some portion of its network or expand coverage
"OUR MEMBERS HAVE EXPANDED THEIR BROADBAND FOOTPRINT BY MORE THAN ONE-THIRD FROM 2016 TO 2021, AND THEY CONTINUE TO DELIVER GAMECHANGING BROADBAND SERVICE TO SMALLER MARKETS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES."
Brian Hurley is Chief Regulatory Counsel for ACA Connects. He leads ACA Connects’ advocacy at the Federal Communications Commission in a wide variety of regulatory proceedings—on broadband deployment and adoption, public safety, robocalls, and more.
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VELOPM DE
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Industry News
BEAD IMPLEMENTATION: MOVING AT FULL SPEED By Tom Cohen Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren, and Counsel to ACA Connects
Two years after Congress enacted and the President signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) and States and Territories are moving at full speed to implement the $42.5B Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. By the end of this year, all States and Territories must submit their Initial Proposals setting forth their plans to institute a Challenge Process and a Project Selection Process, and we expect that the NTIA will try to approve them by the end of Q1 2024 so that funds can begin to be awarded for broadband deployment projects by year. In the meantime, there are a series of critical issues on the table that NTIA and States and Territories must resolve. Defining Project Areas One of the States’ and Territories’ most consequential decisions is determining how project service areas will be defined. States and Territories may allow applicants to design their own project areas – the standard practice for unsubsidized network builds – or they may solicit applications at a geographic level of their choosing, such by county, census tract, or census block. ACA Connects and its partner, the business consulting firm Cartesian, have urged States and Territories to define the minimum biddable area at a granular level – preferably by individual location, but if not, then by census block with very high cost locations removed and handled separately. This approach will maximize competition for funds, especially from smaller providers who may be deterred from participating if that meant agreeing to serve all of the eligible locations in an entire census tract or county. Establishing the Extremely High-Cost Per Location Threshold BEAD gives preference to fiber projects, except in areas that exceed the Extremely High-Cost Location Per-Location Threshold set by the State or Territory. If a State or Territory calculates the Threshold over a large geographic area, it will set the Threshold too low. That is because different eligible locations have significantly different cost characteristics, and a small percentage of locations will cost many times more than the rest. This is the so-called “hockey stick” effect on the cost curve. Suppose the Threshold 26
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"FROM THE START OF THE BEAD PROGRAM, ACA CONNECTS AND CARTESIAN HAVE SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE NOT OVERBUILT AND HAVE A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND OBTAIN FUNDS FOR DEPLOYMENT PROJECTS."
is calculated based on a large geographic area level, such as a county or census tract, that includes many of these highest cost locations. In that case, it makes the average cost appear much higher and will skew the Threshold lower. By the way, a similar concern would arise if applicants are forced to apply based on larger geographic areas. In both instances, locations where it is cost effective to deploy fiber – that is below a reasonable Threshold – won’t get it. As discussed above, States and Territories can address this problem by calculating the Threshold over a small geographic area. In addition, in doing so, States and Territories should remove the outliers, the very highest cost locations, and treat them separately. Relatedly, the State should allow bidding on a location-by-location basis, or, at a minimum, allow bidding at the census block level. Developing Middle-Class Affordability Measures NTIA has directed States and Territories to include in their Initial Proposals “a middle-class affordability plan to ensure that all consumers have access to affordable high-speed internet." While States and Territories have flexibility in devising middle-class affordability plans, it is important that they provide a rational basis for their plan and justify their methodology. For instance, States and Territories could produce evidence on middle-class income levels and the amount or percentage of income that existing subscribers are spending on broadband service. A State or Territory could then confirm whether its proposed affordability plan is reasonable by examining prices, terms, and conditions for
broadband service in areas that are competitively served. There may be alternative approaches that could also work. But in any event, it is critical that NTIA ensure that all middle-class affordability plans are based on a reasonable assessment of the needs of middle-class households. Conclusion From the start of the BEAD program, ACA Connects and Cartesian have sought to ensure that our Members are not overbuilt and have a reasonable opportunity to submit applications and obtain funds for deployment projects. Many of the tools we developed are accessible at the ACA Connects website, and you should contact the ACA Connects staff if you have questions or need assistance in working with your State or Territory Broadband Office. ■
Tom Cohen's practice focuses on providing legal counsel to further the business interests of entities engaged in the provision of wireline and wireless telecommunications, cable (video) and broadband, including Internet services.
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Thursday, April 18, 2024 Ziegfeld Ballroom, 141 W. 54th St., New York City
Contact Mary Yacovetta for special ACA Member pricing at myacovetta@cablecenter.org
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Gold Member
Harness Data Analytics to Unleash Your Success Potential By Erik Hawkins Senior Field Marketing Manager, Calix Want to stop wasting time and money targeting customers that won’t convert? Want to reduce customer acquisition costs with costs rising? Want access to a powerful but simple success criteria financial analysis model to show where there’s “money on the table” and how to capture it? Are you resource-constrained but want to be able to market like your biggest and most sophisticated competitors? There’s no better solution to address these challenges than Calix Engagement Cloud, a powerful tool enabling providers to use a data-driven approach to: • Accelerate subscriber acquisition in existing service areas • Deliver services subscribers want and need • Prioritize service area expansions Engagement Cloud makes it easy to identify prospects within your existing and surrounding service areas. You can find audiences similar to your subscriber base, learn more about homes passed, and understand which households are most likely to sign up for broadband service and additional managed services. You can also target and grow specific segments of subscribers. Once you’ve identified these new audiences, you can easily execute targeted campaigns with very specific offers.
Erik Hawkins
is your subscriber mix of broadband service tiers? Which subscribers are either approaching or exceeding service tier limits and probably experiencing sub-standard performance or evaluating competitive alternatives? Which subscribers would be good fits for new managed services like home security or social media monitoring?
You can also prioritize service area expansions by identifying specific areas – down to the street address – with the highest concentrations of subscribers with propensity to buy services. This enables operators to better manage new build expenses while prioritizing the installs that will yield the highest and fastest ROI. The result? A powerful cloud-based solution that will help accelerate acquisition, upsell, and retention strategies to set up your organization for continued growth. You can also use Engagement Cloud to identify, target, and analyze upsell, cross-sell, and retention opportunities. What 30
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Want to learn more? Schedule a free consultation. ■
Gold Member
The State of Video Advertising: Tear Down Those Walls By David Solomon President & CEO, Viamedia Standing before the Berlin Wall in June 1987, President Ronald Reagan famously said -- for the consumption of the then-Soviet president -- “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” A little more than two years later, the wall was gone. And a new era of economic opportunity was created for Europe. Similarly, it’s time for the video advertising business to tear down its own “walls.” Consumers today barely distinguish between traditional and digital “TV.” “Appointment” viewing exists today largely for major news and sports events, and, increasingly, viewers don’t care where they get their “TV” – be it linear or various digital platforms. They are agnostic about the source of video content, and they expect personalized or at least intelligently targeted ad experiences. The marketplace demands more transparency, data-driven insights, and efficient ad delivery. So, consumers and providers alike seek change. Change is another word for progress; change creates opportunity. This means opportunity for ACA Connects Members. We’ll see further progress toward, among other advancements, the seamless integration of linear TV, digital programmatic advertising and Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI), allowing real-time tailored ad customization. This convergence is not just about merging platforms; it's about creating the unified advertising ecosystem that our customers demand. They are not interested in silos that wall them off from placing buys across platforms and maximizing -- also optimizing -- their audience reach. Like consumers, media buyers are platform-agnostic; their goal is to deliver personalized ad experiences strategically placed in programs consumers enjoy. Change often brings fears that an existing business model is threatened. Actually, the real threat to existing cable industry revenue streams would be failure to adapt to the realities of the new video-advertising ecosystem. Adapting means preserving, and building upon, revenue streams.
David Solomon Just as the destruction of the Berlin Wall was crucial to the liberation of the European economy, so is the collapsing of video-advertising walls to our industry’s liberation. At Viamedia, we have worked to position ourselves at the forefront of this integration. We've made significant strides in developing cross-media advertising solutions, and our DAI offering ensures that ads are contextually relevant and timely; we're investing in technologies and strategies that bridge the gap between linear TV, digital, and DAI. ACA Connects Members have heard for years now about technology enabling cross-platform and targeted linear advertising. The message today is that it is here – in such a way that it can be integrated seamlessly with legacy systems, delivering ACA Connects Members virtually instantaneous ROI. Friends are bringing their own tools to the wallbreaking party. For example, our partners at ShowSeeker, which is rapidly growing its cloudbased, platform-agnostic ad-order management system, are smashing traditional silos that have walled off access between data on cable and broadcast inventory and limited the ability of MSOs to realize the breadth of transactional opportunities available to them. The future is bright for video advertising. Data and technology can help predict consumer behavior, optimize ad placements, and personalize real-time ad experiences. These tools will help tear down walls, and open pathways for new revenue for ACA Connects Members. ■ Independent Communications News
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Industry News
Governing in Washington and the State of Play Heading Into 2024 By Curtis Philp Vice President, Alpine Group Following ten weeks of selfflagellation, Congress managed to approve another shortterm funding bill just before Thanksgiving that extends to early 2024. That means there is no opportunity for a funding cliff or shutdown before the December holidays! This is no small feat given that a tiny group of House Republicans ousted their own Speaker, then spent almost a month to replace him, as a result of passage of a bipartisan 45-day funding 32
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extension at the end of the federal fiscal year. However, the honeymoon for new House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana might be coming to a close. Freedom Caucus and budget hawks in the House opposed the current funding plan created by Johnson: fund one-third of government funding to January 19 and fund the remaining two-thirds to February 2. So, Speaker Johnson used a procedural process to bring the bill directly to the floor, but it had to pass with a supermajority
vote, relying on Democrats and just over half of the Republicans. You may recall that former-Speaker McCarthy similarly relied on Democrats’ support to keep the government funded in September. On this occasion, however, the GOP opposition is not taking it out on the Speaker personally because they are not questioning his conservative credentials or his keeping his word to them. But the Freedom Caucus has turned to blocking floor consideration of other measures. Meanwhile, House and Senate Democrats could not point to specific problems with the funding continuation bill and supported it. Expect these dynamics to evolve during the remainder of the year, leading to more intraparty and cross-party confrontation in the 2024 election year. Before the end of 2023, Congress still must tackle the annual defense policy bill that has been enacted every year for over 60 years. That one could be a vehicle to attach other items if needed. Yet the most contentious of items will be another funding bill – the supplemental funding bill for Israel, Ukraine, and U.S. border security. The Senate and House Democrats will be pressing House Republicans hard to approve this off-budget, or designated as emergency spending, aid to Israel and Ukraine. Border security funds and policy changes might be the sweetener for Congressional Republicans who are skeptical of spending more on foreign wars. An additional supplemental spending bill was requested by President Biden and focused solely on domestic needs, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and money to replenish the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) program to replace prohibited Chinese telecommunications equipment. While it is very early in the supplemental funding negotiations, the security money is going to be hard enough to
pass that the domestic items might not get the funds needed in the near-term at least. Chances are more likely that ACP will see more serious consideration in the first quarter of next year when the continuing appropriations bill is reconsidered as that timeline is closer to the program running out of funds. Congress typically needs to be backed up against a deadline to find a solution to a challenging question of money and policy. The possible catalyst of the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund administrator, USAC, and the underlying legality of the USF program’s authority in general could upend the program. Such a decision would take many months if not at least a year to be resolved by the high Court, offering Congress an opportunity to address the policy bucket of support programs at the FCC. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. Keep an eye on this news, though. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold an oversight hearing with the full slate of FCC Commissioners, including Commissioner Gomez, before the end of December. This will be an opportunity for ACA
"CHANCES ARE MORE LIKELY THAT ACP WILL SEE MORE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR WHEN THE CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS BILL IS RECONSIDERED AS THAT TIMELINE IS CLOSER TO THE PROGRAM RUNNING OUT OF FUNDS."
"ACA CONNECTS WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON YOUR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THESE REGULATORY MATTERS TO ADVOCATE TO REGULATORS AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISIONS ON SMALL AND RURAL PROVIDERS’ COMMERCIAL VIABILITY AND THE CUSTOMERS YOU SERVE." Connects Members to work with Committee members to flush out Commissioners’ views on new regulatory efforts that could severely impact how ACAC Members provide their services to subscribers. These regulatory issues include Net Neutrality and Title II rate regulation, whether Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (vMVPDs) are regulated like existing MVPDs, as well as the new digital discrimination rules recently adopted by the FCC. ACA Connects will continue to rely on your business experience in these regulatory matters to advocate to regulators and policymakers about the potential consequences of their decisions on small and rural providers’ commercial viability and the customers you serve. We will also call on you to help us make the case to elected officials early next year at the annual Summit in Washington, DC. I look forward to seeing you then! ■
Curtis Philp was deputy chief of staff to former Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) and a staff member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
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Congratulations to our 2023 Community Champions Winner: WOW! Internet, TV & Phone By Stacey Leech
ACA Connects Vice President of Member Services
ACA Connects is pleased to announce WOW Internet, TV & Phone as the winner of the 2023 Community Champions Award! WOW! employees Debra Havins, VP of Corporate Communications, and Artney Dennis, Manager, Operations of the Sanford Florida system, led this initiative in Central Florida that included a donation to the Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School Kids Space Center to update technology and participation on a council to support and mentor high school students.
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WOW! was one of 24 submissions for this year’s contest. Voting began in late September and closed on October 31. A little over a month and with nearly 15,000 votes cast for the project, this community service initiative was named the contest winner and will be awarded $2,500 to help continue their efforts. You can read all about their project below. So, congratulations, WOW Internet, TV & Phone! Your efforts are making a difference in your community, and we are proud to honor you with this award! ■
2023 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
AWARD WINNER
Ready for Takeoff: Supporting Local STEM Initiatives Spirit of Service is central to WOW!’s culture and identity and is reflected in its interactions with customers, coworkers, and in the communities it serves. As WOW! began offering its broadband services in its Central Florida Greenfield market last year, the team identified opportunities to contribute to a bright future for local students at two schools through support of STEM education initiatives. In Sanford, Florida, WOW! made a $45,000 donation to the Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School Kids Space Center to update the technology and simulation software for the students. The Space Center is a vital community resource, providing STEM education opportunities for students to explore space through various simulations and experiments. The money will be used to update its mission control center, experiment bays, lunar landing testing technology, and simulation software. In addition to the donation, a representative from WOW! joined the local Crooms Academy of Information Technology’s Business Advisory Council to support and mentor high school students, connect them to the business community and prepare them for successful careers after high school. Both contributions to the community are intended to help the local students flourish and further showcase WOW!’s ongoing commitment to the residents and families of Sanford. ■
CAPTION FOR PHOTO ON PAGE 34 From left: ACA Connects VP of Member Services Stacey Leech; WOW! Manager, Operations, Artney Dennis; Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School Principal Dr. Chris Mulholland; Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School STEM Teacher Mr. Robert Wakelyn; and Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School Assistant Principal Ms. Kristin Froess
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Industry News
THE FCC CONSIDERS DEADLINES FOR C-BAND REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is considering a proposal from the C-band Relocation Payment Clearinghouse (RPC) to establish final reimbursement claims submission deadlines for the ongoing transition of the 3.7 GHz band (i.e., the C-band). The RPC proposed two deadlines: February 5, 2024, for all reimbursement claims for costs incurred and paid by claimants as of December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2024, for all reimbursement claims for costs incurred and paid by claimants after December 31, 2023. The RPC aims to wind down its operations by June 30, 2025, and will not process or reimburse any C-band transition reimbursement claims received after the final claims submission deadline.
What's Happening in the Compliance Corner By Bill Tortoriello ACA Connects Director of Regulatory Affairs
Staying compliant with relevant laws, rules, guidelines, and regulations can be a daunting task for our Members, given the rapidly changing political landscape and the fast-paced nature of our industry and society. However, the Regulatory Team at ACA Connects remains dedicated to keeping an eye on upcoming compliance obligations and helping our Members fulfill their responsibilities. To assist our Members, we provide regular Member advisories, monthly webinars, and occasional tutorials. We also highlight certain regulatory/compliance items that we believe will be impactful. A few of those updated items are listed in this article: 36
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This proposal aims to establish a specific and consistent timeline for all involved parties, including eligible incumbents and the 3.7 GHz Service Licensees responsible for reimbursement payments, to complete their remaining transition responsibilities. ACA Connects will notify Members if and when the FCC adopts the RPC proposal or an alternative deadline for reimbursement claims. EAS EQUIPMENT SOFTWARE CHANGES DUE DECEMBER 12, 2023 In 2022, the FCC issued a Report and Order (R&O) adopting new Emergency Alert System (EAS) regulations. The rules became effective earlier this year, and EAS participants must comply with most of the regulations by December 12, 2023. Per the R&O, alerts received through over-the-air “legacy” EAS
data tones should be put on hold while waiting for a preferred IPAWS CAP alert. Additionally, the regulations require changes in how the text for national alerts is constructed. For more information, please consult our prior Member Advisory. FCC FORM 499-A AND 499-Q FOR 2024 REPORTING The FCC updated the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets (FCC Form 499-A and FCC Form 499-Q) for 2024 on October 30, 2023. The aim is to simplify the reporting process and ensure compliant reporting. The key changes include: • Carriers must have a Washington, D.C.-based agent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for International Section 214 Authorizations and Agent for Service of Process. • Entities must use the same name as their FCC Form 477 subscription data and/or Broadband Data Collection (BDC) availability submissions for BDC. • Line 305.2 should not include VoIP revenue resold by reseller customers for Revenue Inclusion Clarification.
"THE REGULATORY TEAM AT ACA CONNECTS REMAINS DEDICATED TO KEEPING AN EYE ON UPCOMING COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS AND HELPING OUR MEMBERS FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES."
• Line 311 should include long-distance using interconnected VoIP provided to contributing resellers for Long-Distance Services. • Examples of exemptions from paying certain regulatory fees are provided for Exemptions from Regulatory Fees. • Line 514(a) should be used for contributions funding IP Relay, VRS, and CTS for Fund Contributions. Finally, a new proceeding at the FCC that we’re keeping an eye on: The FCC released a draft Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on October 25, 2023 that seeks to gather information about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on its efforts to protect consumers from unwanted and unlawful calls and text messages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The FCC recognizes that AI can potentially be used for fraudulent purposes and intends to fight this evolving threat with AI itself. If the full Commission adopts the draft at its November 15, 2023, Open Meeting as expected, the NOI will seek public comment on various issues. These include how AI technology fits into the Commission's duties outlined in the TCPA, the circumstances under which future AI technology would fall under TCPA, the influence of AI on existing regulatory structures and the development of future policies, whether the Commission should explore methods of verifying the legitimacy of AI-generated voice or text content from reliable sources, and next steps. Expect more compliance updates in future editions of ICN. ■
Bill Tortoriello is Directory of Regulatory Affairs for ACA Connects. Bill assists the ACAC Regulatory Team in technical research, complex compliance issues, and member education.
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Gold Member
At Warner Bros. Discovery, All Elite Wrestling Creates Superfans By: Jason Sarlanis President, Turner Networks, ID and HLN, Linear & Streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery At Warner Bros. Discovery, we pride ourselves on delivering bold and original content to consumers while specializing in finding and building loyal, passionate fanbases. Growing that emotional and zealous following is a north star across all Warner Bros. Discovery brands – from lifestyle to premium to sports and theatrical, but no example may be more evident than with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). AEW is home to larger-than-life personas, fearless storytelling, and exciting action that fans can interact with at least three nights each week with live events on TNT and TBS, not to mention specials, pay-perviews and in arenas all over the country. And even with that volume of content, AEW provides reach and scale, consistently delivering impressive ratings and performing in the top five on cable. Yet, Warner Bros. Discovery and AEW are far from resting on those laurels. AEW is growing year over year, and our partnership with Tony Khan, the founder and creative force behind the AEW brand, has allowed us to expand AEW’s footprint on our networks, by adding AEW: COLLISION a two-hour live tentpole Saturdays on TNT at 8pm to the already robust airtime given to AEW: DYNAMITE, the TBS tentpole on Wednesdays at 8pm, and the one-hour AEW: RAMPAGE on TNT at 10pm on Friday nights. These three franchises give fans thrills, surprises and character driven, serialized entertainment that have become synonymous with AEW wrestling. Wrestling super serves its fans, a young, affluent audience that shows up fully devoted and covered head-to-toe in the merchandise that proves it. In turn, AEW super serves
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Jason Sarlanis
our partners as well, acting as a pillar of the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio. Since TNT and TBS began its partnership with AEW, the franchise has continued to see steady growth. With the instant success of AEW: DYNAMITE in 2019, we formally extended our existing relationship and launched AEW: Rampage in 2021, and AEW: All Access and AEW: COLLISION in 2023. And the potential doesn’t end with just massive success on TNT and TBS. This year AEW talent partnered with DC, Food Network, Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, Warner Bros.’ features THE FLASH and SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS, and many others. AEW is an endless fountain of crosspromotion, franchising potential and growth. With a talent roster of over 150 performers, we expect to see the next generation of movie and television stars rise from our very own programming. Warner Bros. Discovery is all in on All Elite Wrestling, and fully expect the brand and fanbase to expand alongside the vast library of world renown IP Warner Bros. Discovery is known for. See you ringside! ■
Gold Member
Beyond the ‘Burbs: A Q&A with Wesco and Corning
Deploying broadband is essential for residents and businesses within rural communities. To help bring connectivity to these communities, we need to understand what rural America is and how it differs from urban and suburban settings.
about 90 poles. In the country, for the same number of homes, it changes, increasing to 25-30 miles of cable to be placed, which will require more poles to attach to and labor to install. (Barry Walton, Corning)
Q. What is Rural America? The definition is anything and everything that is not urban or suburban. There are many areas that fall into this category. Some examples include areas that are primarily farmland or suburban-looking towns with 1,000 homes, bordered by railroad tracks and highways on either side and far away from other communities. (Kristi Johnson, Corning)
Q. What solutions are available to help navigate these challenges when planning for a fiber build? Logistics plays a pivotal part in overcoming these challenges. It is important to think differently; instead of how to get the person to the material, start thinking about bringing the material to the person.
Q: What are the differences and challenges working in rural environments? Labor is a significant difference. Typically, companies fixate on the cost of material when looking at the overall expense of building a fiber home network, which is about 30-40% of the budget. The bulk of spend is in the labor when you start building “Beyond the ‘Burbs.” Another consideration is the travel time. The farther out, the more windshield time techs have traveling, significantly reducing productive working hours. In addition, the logistics of staging material on site can be challenging. The amount of cable required to supply a fiber serving area of 300 homes is very different. For example, in a suburban fiber setting serving 300 homes, you are looking at 2.5-3 miles of cable and
One solution - remote warehouses bring the product to you instead of going to the product. Wesco has set up multiple types of remote warehouses depending on the season, location, and scope of the project. Greatly reducing downtime traveling to and from the job site and allowing you to have the right material closer to the site at the right stage of the project. Communication, though cliché as it might sound, is key in remote broadband deployments. Communicate at the local level with the pole owners and their field engineers. Work together and work creatively. Communicate in your network with your suppliers and supply chain partner. Do not stop at those directly involved in the build, talk to the community leaders, schools, and hospitals. Communicate so we can all build a network that will be beneficial for us today and for our grandchildren tomorrow. (Chris Bailey, Wesco) ■
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SILVER MEMBER
A+E Networks® Features Heroes, Rivals and Spirits in 2024 By John D’Antonio Vice President, Distribution, A+E Networks With a continued focus on our linear audience, A+E Networks® is committed to providing the loyal viewers of A&E®, Lifetime® and The HISTORY® Channel with more high caliber and best-inclass programming in 2024. The HISTORY Channel is known for its premiere historical content, from documentaries to series, and is considered a trusted source for historical entertainment. The brand is especially excited for the unveiling of two new documentary projects next year: “The Harlem Hellfighters” and “American Godfathers: The Five Families.” “American Godfathers: The Five Families,” based on Selwyn Raab’s New York Times best-seller and executive produced by Michael Imperioli, explores the history of the Mafia from its explosive, violent growth during Prohibition to its war with law enforcement and ultimate demise. “The Harlem Hellfighters” will bring the courageous story of this all-Black military regiment formed in New York as the U.S. was preparing to enter WWI, to life and tell the full story of their unprecedented 191 days in combat and more. The 1-hour documentary is executive produced and narrated by “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts.
A pioneer in culture and entertainment, A&E celebrates the return of WWE programming in the first half of 2024, featuring “Biography: WWE Legends” and “WWE Rivals.” Both shows
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John D’Antonio explore the lives and careers of some of the most iconic WWE stars in history. Through interviews and archival footage, audiences will learn the personal stories behind the success of some of WWE’s most memorable superstars in “Biography: WWE Legends.” “WWE Rivals” returns with a roundtable of WWE luminaries who will dive into the stories and epic battles that built the WWE. Lifetime, the go-to entertainment channel for women for almost 40 years, offers the finest original programming, featuring award-winning movies and fan-favorite series. In January, the three-night documentary event, “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” will premiere, featuring unparalleled access to Blanchard in prison and as she approaches her release. Theresa Caputo returns to TV for Lifetime’s all-new 2024 series, “Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits,” which follows the Long Island medium as she explores the next phase of her personal life and embarks on a much-anticipated tour, all while channeling the spirits of loved ones for others. The show follows Theresa as she shares her incredible gift with viewers while balancing new family dynamics. We are thrilled to welcome Theresa to the Lifetime family. To learn and see more about A+E Networks’ world-class brands and content in the coming year, visit www.aenetworks.com. ■
SILVER MEMBER
TAK Communications, One of America’s Fastest Growing Broadband Construction Services Companies Focuses on Customer Quality and Service Excellence By Ian McIntosh Vice President of Sales & New Business, TAK Communications, Inc.
Ian McIntosh
Founded in 2004, TAK Communications, Inc. set itself apart from its competitors by providing quality services that were above our customers’ expectations in the Midwest region. Today, almost 20 years later, TAK has grown to serve over 35 million customers across the United States by continuing to follow our founding principles. Our values focus on our people to ensure that they are empowered, respected, and can focus on our mission to “Be Our Customer’s Hero, Every Day.” The TAK Commitment TAK Communications is a company committed to continually making your customer experience our best product and always seeking new ways to improve it. We provide outstanding service through metric driven performance. proven scalability, and quick and effective communications that are guided by your success. Our leaders and support teams have built long-term relationships with broadband, fiber, cable, and specialized communication entities throughout the United States for over 20 years and plan to continue those relationships long into the future, along with building new relationships that continue to expand our service depth and capabilities. Growing stronger together with your team is our objective. Our Services With a national footprint and service delivery in 41 states, TAK Communications can scale and deliver on your network deployment needs. Our team of 3,000+ people deliver the highest quality communication construction deployment success and in-home experience in the industry and are ready to go beyond your expectations to provide the greatest value to you and your customers. Our team is committed to delivering on your needs today while partnering with you on what can be done tomorrow. Through collaboration we have been able to support superior quality network construction buildouts, new product strategies, faster times to market and customer revenue growth. Contact TAK Communications TAK Communications stands ready to provide our services to you and your customers; We are here to help! To discuss your communication service needs, your vision of success, and how TAK can partner with you, please contact us at sales@takcommunications.com or call Ian direct at (210) 218-1531.■
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2024 UPCOM DATE
EVENT
CITY, STATE
January 9-12, 2024
CES 2024
Las Vegas, NV
January 17-18, 2024
Idaho Cable Broadband Association Annual Meeting
Boise, ID
January 17-18, 2024
WSTA Broadband Forum (Wisconsin State Telecom)
Stevens Point, WI
February 7-9, 2024
Louisiana Telecom Association Annual Convention
New Orleans, LA
February 11-14, 2024
NTCA Rural Telecom Industry Mtg & Expo (RTIME)
Tampa, FL
February 25-27, 2024
NCTC Winter Educational Conference (WEC)
Las Vegas, NV
March 5, 2024
The 2024 INCOMPAS Policy Summit
Washington, D.C.
March 5-7, 2024
WISPAMERICA
Oklahoma City, OK
March 5-7, 2024
ACA Connects Summit 2024
Washington, D.C.
March 8-10, 2024
South Carolina Telecom & Broadband Assn Annual Convention
Greenville, SC
March 10-12, 2024
NTCA Telecom Executive Forum
San Antonio Hill Country, TX
March 18-20, 2024
Minnesota Telecom Alliance Annual Convention & Trade Show
Prior Lake, MN
March 25, 2024
CableLabs and NCTA Smaller Market Conference
Orlando, FL
March 25-28, 2024
CableLabs Winter Conference
Orlando, FL
March 25-27, 2024
Iowa Communications Alliance Annual Meeting & Expo
Des Moines, IA
April 4-7, 2024
Adaptive Spirit 2024 Annual Event
Vail, CO
April 10-11, 2024
IAMU Spring 2024 Broadband Conference and Expo
Johnston, IA
April 10-11, 2024
PA Broadband Summit
Lancaster, PA
April 13-17, 2024
NAB Show
Las Vegas, NV
April 14-17, 2024
WTA 2024 Spring Educational Forum
San Antonio, TX
April 16-18, 2024
CCA Mobile Carriers Show
Palm Springs, CA
April 18, 2024
2024 Cable Hall of Fame Celebration
New York, NY
April 28-30, 2024
NTCA Legislative + Policy Conference
Washington, D.C.
May 19-21, 2024
NTCA Marketing + Sales Conference
Scottsdale, AZ
May 20-23, 2024
WSTA Annual Convention (Wisconsin State Telecom)
Lake Geneva, WI
Events subject to change. Please refer to the corresponding website for the most updated information.
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December 2023 - Issue 11
MING EVENTS DATE
EVENT
CITY, STATE
June 2-4, 2024
Illinois Broadband & Telecom Assn (IBTA) Annual Convention
St. Louis, MO
June 10-13, 2024
Broadband Assn of Alabama & Mississippi Summer Symposium
Sandestin, FL
July 14-16, 2024
NTCA Summer Symposium
Olympic Valley, CA
July 21 - 24, 2024
NTCA Summer Symposium
Savannah, GA
July 28-31, 2024
Fiber Connect 2024
Nashville, TN
August 5-7, 2024
Mountain Connect
Denver, CO
August 5-8, 2024
NTCA HR + Benefits Conference + OSHA
Indian Wells, CA
August 5-8, 2024
Tri-State Telecommunications Conference
Jackson, WY
August 18-20, 2024
SDTA Annual Meeting
Deadwood, SD
August 19-21, 2024
BroadbandMT Annual Meeting
Whitefish, MT
August 19-22, 2024
The Independent Show
Nashville, TN
September 9-11, 2024
CCA Annual Convention
Amelia Island, FL
September 11-13, 2024 ComPulse 2024 - Telecommunications Assn of Michigan
Mount Pleasant, MI
September 23-26, 2024 SCTE Cable-Tec Expo
Atlanta, GA
Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2024
NTCA Fall Conference
Indianopolis, IN
October 6-9, 2024
WTA 2024 Fall Educational Forum
Indian Wells, CA
October 8-10, 2024
Mobile World Congress Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
October 12-15, 2024
Calix ConneXions
Las Vegas, NV
October 14-17, 2024
WISPAPALOOZA
Las Vegas, NV
October 20-22, 2024
The INCOMPAS Show
Denver, CO
October 20-24, 2024
Broadband Association of Alabama & Mississippi Annual Meeting
Point Clear, AL
October 21-22, 2024
WICT 2024 Leadership Conference
New York, NY
October 27-29, 2024
NTCA CyberShare Summit
Louisville, KY
Events subject to change. Please refer to the corresponding website for the most updated information. PHOTO CREDITS: 2 iStock.com/adamkaz, 2 iStock.com/Gerald Corsi, 2 iStock.com/Radachynskyi, 2 iStock.com/oleksandr_katrusha, 2 iStock.com/eli_asenova, 2 iStock.com/Douglas Rissing, 2 iStock.com/amgun, 3 iStock.com/Altinosmanaj, 6 iStock.com/Gerald Corsi, 9 iStock.com/filo, 11 iStock.com/anyaberkut, 11 iStock.com/ExperienceInteriors, 15 iStock.com/Radachynskyi, 15 iStock.com/Tanarch, 22 iStock.com/oleksandr_katrusha, 22 iStock.com/titelio, 22 iStock.com/monsitj, 22 iStock.com/eli_asenova, 22 iStock.com/gavni, 22 iStock.com/deepblue4you, 32 iStock.com/Douglas Rissing, 32 iStock.com/Dean Mitchell, 36 iStock.com/amgun, 36 iStock.com/Warchi, 44 iStock.com/traveler1116, 44 iStock.com/Gyzele
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WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON FROM THE STAFF AT ACA CONNECTS