Independent Communications News - 2024 Issue 12

CAPITOL CONNECTION FEATURING CONGRESSMAN BUDDY CARTER

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ACA CONNECTS IS ELEVATING ITS GAME

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#SUMMIT2024 RECAP!!! CAN CONGRESS AFFORD TO FUND THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM?

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING #SUMMIT2024!

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KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SUMMIT 2024

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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN (OR RENEW!) AMP MEMBERSHIP

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BROADBAND RIDES OPENVAULT PNM AND PMA TO BUSINESS SUCCESS

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SPORTS PROGRAMMERS TILT PLAYING FIELD WITH NEW JOINT VENTURE

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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2024 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS CONTEST

ANOTHER ROUND OF POLE ATTACHMENT REFORMS: A GOOD STEP FOR BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT

WELCOME TO CABLE 2.0 - MVPDS ARE WELL POSITIONED FOR SUCCESS

2024 UPCOMING EVENTS

AUG. 19-22

Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

Join us for The Independent Show and celebrate 40 years of the NCTC! Visit www.theindependentshow.org for more information. LEARN MORE:

Editor's Note

Thank you for opening up 2024’s first edition of Independent Communications News (ICN)! It is jam-packed with a behind-the-scenes look at ACA Connects’ successful Summit in Washington, D.C., not-to-bemissed regulatory updates, and an interview with Congressman Buddy Carter from Georgia’s First Congressional District.

In this issue, ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer shares how “ACA Connects is Elevating its Game in 2024.” Grant outlines recent wins and challenges ahead for the broadband and video industry. Check out his article too to get to know three new members of the ACA Connects team, Zamir Ahmed, Olivia Shields, and Max Staloff.

As mentioned, Grant also interviews Congressman Carter as part of his “Capitol Connection” series. Read this special feature for updates on Congress’s efforts to help deploy more broadband infrastructure and stop the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) attempt to regulate every corner of the internet.

Be sure to catch ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers’ “#SUMMIT2024 Recap,” especially if you missed #Summit2024. She recaps newsworthy conversations with policymakers and elected officials in the nation’s capital. Stay tuned for future editions of ICN to learn if FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr makes it to Southeast Missouri to climb some towers.

For more on the Summit, ACA Connects Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Higginbotham offers his insights on why its beneficial for ACA Connects Members to make the trip to Washington, D.C., to network, learn, and make their voices heard. Stacey Leech, Vice President of Member Services at ACA Connects, thanks the Summit attendees for making it all possible. Don’t forget to save the date for next year’s Summit, March 4-6, 2025. Hope to see you there.

As always, the ACA Connects team and outside counsel provide important updates on the regulatory environment that impacts how our industry operates. Zamir Ahmed, ACA Connects Vice President of External Affairs, is making his ICN debut with “Sports Programmers Tilt Playing Field with New Joint Venture.”

Finally, I saw most of the Summit from behind my Sony mirrorless camera. I enjoyed compiling some of my favorite shots starting on page 32.

With that, dive in and enjoy. I hope you find this issue both informative and fun! Don’t hesitate to give us a shout with ideas and suggestions for future issues. ■

ACA Connects Director of Digital and Social Media

VP

Advertising/Business

Subscriptions

ACA CONNECTS STAFF

President & CEO

Grant Spellmeyer

EVP & COO

John Higginbotham

Chief Regulatory Counsel

Brian Hurley

Oliva Shields

VP of External Affairs

Zamir Ahmed

Director

Bill Tortoriello

VP of Regulatory Affairs

VP

Max Staloff

Stacey Leech

Tomeika Slappy

Nathan Penrod

ACA Connects is Elevating its Game in 2024

By Grant Spellmeyer, ACA Connects President & CEO

ACA Connects had a very strong start to 2024 with more work and success to come. Our efforts continue to ensure our Members are empowered to run their businesses, deploy more infrastructure, and connect more Americans—because a more connected nation is a more prosperous nation.

I first want to first give my thanks to everyone who joined us for our annual Summit. As ACA Connects Chairman Patty Boyers and others also highlight in this issue of ICN, this is our most important

event of the year to influence industry leaders and policymakers in Washington, D.C. Thanks to more than 200 attendees who participated this year, including 43 first-time attendees, ACA Connects made sure they heard the priorities of small and independent broadband and video providers who are providing critical services to communities across the nation. I’d like to also thank our Associate Members who participated this year. The Summit wouldn’t have had as great of an impact without their presence.

We also have new and exciting changes to the ACA Connects team. In January, we welcomed Zamir Ahmed, Olivia Shields, and Max Staloff—all with exceptional experience and backgrounds to enhance our advocacy work and mission. Zamir, who previously worked in media relations for the National Assocation of Broadcasters (NAB) for 13 years, is our new Vice President of External Affairs. He is leading our strategies to share ACA Connects’ policies and perspectives to diverse audiences, including legislators, federal officials, policymakers, industry partners and other stakeholders.

Olivia is our Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies to drive our message. She is a 10-year veteran of Capitol Hill and served as a top communications advisor for Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and the House Republican Conference. Most recently, she was the Communications Director for the Energy and Commerce Committee and Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). Max, who began his career as a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) attorney, is our Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. We’re grateful to have him on the regulatory team under our Chief Regulatory Counsel, Brian Hurley, to advocate for legal and regulatory policies that benefit our industry.

ACA Connects is elevating its game and working strategically to make the biggest impact possible. We recently shared good news with our Members that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is streamlining historic preservation review processes for federally funded broadband infrastructure projects, including through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) program. This was in response to

ACA Connects President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez on stage at Summit 2024 in Washington, D.C.

our work and advocacy—including through official filings and conversations with Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson at our Summit—to lift permitting burdens on smaller providers who face heightened and unique challenges.

“ACA CONNECTS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD, ESPECIALLY ON THE HEAVY-HANDED REGIMES THAT TITLE II AND DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION REGULATIONS WILL PLACE ON YOUR BUSINESSES AND LIVELIHOODS."

We were also the first organization to call on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to scrutinize the new streaming service juggernaut proposed by Walt Disney Co., Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. The DOJ has indicated it will review the proposed venture—and we won’t let up this

fight. It’s anticompetitive for the biggest media players to join forces while locking out traditional linear video providers, including our Members from offering the same packages at the same prices. Fans deserve a level playing field in the sports media landscape without the threat of these giants controlling the marketplace and jacking up prices.

Of course, there is plenty more work to do. We’re staring down the barrel of FCC regulatory actions that will undermine our work and the federal government’s goal to help every American have access to highspeed internet. ACA Connects will continue to make sure your voice is heard, especially on the heavy-handed regimes that Title II and digital discrimination regulations will place on your businesses and livelihoods.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out and use ACA Connects as a resource. America’s economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA Connects Members. That is what keeps us going every day to make a difference and drive results. It isn’t possible without our engaged Membership coming together on a unified front on behalf of the communities they serve. Thank you! ■

Olivia Shields

Max Staloff

From left: ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers; ACA Connects President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer; and retired ACA Connects Vice Chairman Mike Bowker at the 2024 first quarter Board of Directors' Meeting at Summit 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Zamir Ahmed

As part of ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer’s Capitol Connection series, Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), shared how he’s leading on solutions to lift the regulatory burden and empower broadband providers.

Congressman Carter proudly represents Georgia’s First Congressional District and serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee. As a pharmacist who has served rural communities, he has a great story to tell on the importance of a more connected America to improve people’s lives, especially through telemedicine. Don’t miss this special feature in this issue and be sure to learn more about Congressman Carter on BuddyCarter.House.Gov.

CONGRESSMAN EARL L. “BUDDY” CARTER (R-GA)

Q: Can you share with ICN readers why you ran for Congress? Tell us about Georgia’s First Congressional District.

Out of 435 districts, I have the honor and privilege of representing the best one, the First Congressional District of Georgia, in the United States Congress. My district includes all 100 miles of the Peach State’s pristine coastline, the Okefenokee Swamp, the historic City of Savannah, two of the busiest ports in the nation, robust manufacturing and agricultural industries, and so much more. This is my home. It’s where I’ve lived my entire life and plan to live the rest of my life. I didn’t have the honor of serving in the United States military; my opportunity to serve came in the form of public office, serving those who put their lives on the line in defense of our freedoms. We are blessed with a rich military community in GA-01, from Ft. Stewart to Kings Bay Naval Base, and I cannot overstate the appreciation our community has for their sacrifice and service. I ran for public office, serving as Mayor of Pooler, Georgia State Representative, and Georgia State Senator before making my way to the House of Representatives, because I believe that I’ve lived the American dream. My grandfather was a sharecropper; he didn’t own the land; he worked the land. My father worked at the local paper mill. He worked hard to give my family a better life. I was fortunate enough to graduate from the University of Georgia and open my own successful chain of pharmacies, which I ran in the First Congressional District for more than 30 years. In fact, I maintain my pharmacy license to this day. I want my children, grandchildren, and all Americans to have the same opportunities to succeed that I did, and that’s why I ran for Congress. America is the freest, most prosperous nation to exist, where people from all walks of life can succeed, and we need to keep it that way.

Q. What are your communications and technology priorities on the Energy and Commerce Committee?

As the former Vice-Chair of the Communications & Tech Subcommittee, I became very active in this space despite being a pharmacist by trade. The issues we focus on can be very technical, but I have luckily become very familiar with these important topics, including broadband permitting reform. In every industry ranging from energy to telecommunications, the permitting process gets in the way of investment and deployment and ends up hurting consumers the most.

That’s why I introduced the American Broadband Deployment Act which streamlines these processes and ensures providers are not overburdened by costs and delays. There are over 7 million American homes and businesses that lack access to highspeed broadband, and these lengthy permitting processes are one of the culprits. Other initiatives to close the digital divide include taking down heavy-handed FCC rules like Title II and Digital Discrimination which I’m sure we’ll discuss.

Our Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over social media platforms which need increased accountability and transparency. This is very important to me. I have made it a priority to increase the safety of children online whether that is through initiatives such as my bill “Sammy’s Law” or pulling back the curtain on apps with ties to our adversary, China, which conduct psychological warfare on our youth.

Rep. Carter Speaks on Amendments to the American Broadband Deployment Act (Photo credit: Screenshot from Congressman Buddy Carter's YouTube channel)

Capitol Connection featuring Rep. Carter

Speaking of protection from China – we have also spent a great deal of time and effort on securing our telecommunications equipment and infrastructure from bad actors. I have hosted a cybersecurity roundtable in my district to discuss the threat landscape as well as best practices for businesses of all sizes. I look forward to hosting more!

Q: As a pharmacist, what unique perspective do you bring on the importance of connecting more communities to high-speed internet?

Because of my background in pharmacy, I know just how important telehealth access is for both patients and providers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had conversations in the Energy and Commerce Committee about the importance of telehealth and the idea that one day appointments would be online; but the pandemic forced decades of innovation to happen practically overnight. Now, nearly all hospitals and doctors’ offices offer some form of telehealth services.

All patients benefit from increased access to their health care providers, but this is an especially valuable service for seniors and people in rural areas, who may not have reliable transportation or live hundreds of miles away from the nearest hospital or pharmacy. By expanding broadband access to these communities, we are helping more Americans receive the care they need in a timely and affordable manner.

Q: What impact will deploying more broadband infrastructure have on communities across America, including Georgia’s First Congressional District?

There are significant benefits to all communities when we increase broadband access and connectivity. Fixed broadband adoption accounted for nearly 11 percent of the accumulated growth in the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) between 2010 and 2020. A Journal of Econometrics study found that “for every one

percentage point increase in broadband penetration in a state, employment is projected to increase 0.2 to 0.3% per year.” Reliable internet access allows people and services to reach new populations and areas, allowing small businesses to expand their operations, agricultural products to be shipped overseas, and job opportunities to increase.

There are also significant educational benefits. Grade point averages for key classes, such as English, social sciences, mathematics, and science, are .19 points higher for students with home broadband access than for students with no home access or only mobile wireless access. This directly impacts a child’s future financial success; for example, students impacted by COVID-19 learning losses, which we know were correlated with broadband access, will see an estimated $70,000 decline in their lifetime earning potentials.

You’d be hard pressed to find a community or industry that wouldn’t benefit from increased broadband access, which is why closing the digital divide is a congressional priority.

Rep. Buddy Carter meets with a telecom crew in Guyton, Georgia, where the final leg of a fiber broadband project is completed. (Photo credit: @BrendanCarrFCC)

Rep. Buddy Carter joins FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr on a fiber build to bring high-speed Internet to rural Bulloch County, Georgia. (Photo credit: @BrendanCarrFCC)

Capitol Connection featuring Rep. Carter

Q: You are leading a resolution of disapproval to overturn the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Digital Discrimination rules. Why is your resolution important and how will it protect small and rural broadband providers?

Like I mentioned earlier, closing the digital divide is a top priority of mine and of the Energy & Commerce Committee as a whole. Unfortunately, the FCC’s Digital Discrimination rules will have the opposite effect by creating uncertainty and discouraging providers from investing in future deployments. That’s why I’m leading a Congressional Review Act with fellow Georgia Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde that would block the FCC’s overreach while protecting free market capitalism. The rule is dangerously broad and unconstitutional – it gives the FCC the authority to implement regulations restricting every aspect of the telecommunications industry, including how they operate, market, profit, and so on. It also expands the FCC’s authority to industries outside of telecommunications to include any industry that could inhibit its ability to implement these expansive regulations. As one can expect, there have already been a number of lawsuits filed against the FCC challenging these heavy-handed rules, and I look forward to seeing the outcomes.

Q: How much support has this resolution garnered?

We have broad support for this resolution. As of March 19th, we have over 70 cosponsors in the House, and the Senate companion has more than 18. We also have great industry partners who are supportive, with endorsements from Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), Citizens for Renewing America, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Consumer Choice Center, Digital First Project, Heritage Action for America, R Street Institute, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and US Telecom.

Q: ACA Connects, which represents small and independent providers with a proven track record of serving their communities, supports your efforts to stop the FCC’s attempt to regulate the internet. How can our Members stay engaged on this resolution and issue and help ensure they can continue to invest and innovate to close the digital divide?

We need input from people living and working in the communities our work impacts, so that we know how best to serve the American people. Staying engaged with your representatives is the best way to impact change on the national level. I like to remind folks that Congress is a citizen legislature. When I have a question about constitutional law, I go to our Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. When people have questions about pharmacy, they come to me. We have truckers, pilots, way too many lawyers, veterans, and people from a variety of career backgrounds. This is what allows us to do the work that we do. One of us is not as smart as all of us, and the work you do to advocate on behalf of the people, places, and industries you serve is an important part of that equation. ■

ACA Connects Members Shentel's EVP & COO Ed McKay (left) and MCTV's President Katherine Gessner (right), meet with Rep. Buddy Carter on Capitol Hill at Summit 2024.

#SUMMIT2024 RECAP!!!

By Patricia Jo Boyers

President/CEO & Co-Founder of BOYCOM and ACA Connects Chairman

ACA SUMMIT 2024 was a HUGE success! Thanks to each and everyone of y’all who made the trip and made it possible. The SUMMIT is ACA Connects’ PREMIER event of the year, and this year was no exception!

To our Member companies who pounded that pavement and walked those halls of CongressSALUTE!! The Summit is OUR chance to tell OUR story face to face to legislators and policymakers on Capitol Hill as well as the FCC. They MUST hear from us (and hear from us often!) about our own set of unique issues in rural Americaespecially in this watershed year of the BEAD rollout. These meetings are how we show our value and build alliances with folks who can make things happen, INCLUDING keeping government off our back!

You cannot COMPLAIN if you DON’T SPEAK UP— But SPEAK UP we DID! We made our VOICES HEARD on a number of key issues:

• EFFICIENT & EFFECTIVE use of BEAD funds to close that Digital Divide.

• Protecting small and independent providers from harmful impacts of regulation, including net neutrality and digital discrimination rules.

• Ensuring fair competition in the video marketplace with retransmission consent reforms.

• Funding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to keep people connected to highspeed internet.

For me, a top highlight from the Summit includes my session with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. He highlighted his strong relationship with the Commissioners, which includes Commissioners Anna Gomez and Geoffrey Starks who also attended the Summit.

On net neutrality, he said, “It doesn’t make sense that the debate has crystalized to protect edge providers like Apple, Amazon and Meta from small broadband providers. Relegating Title II is looking

in the rearview mirror, while ignoring other real threats.”

Amen! The FCC needs to be focused on the real threats to a competitive marketplace. On this front and others, Commissioner Carr is a top advocate for us. He has an open invitation to bring his helmet and harness and come climb my towers in Southeast Missouri anytime he wants!

Commissioners Gomez and Starks both reiterated their call for ACP funding before it expires, which currently serves more than 23 million low-income households. Commissioner Gomez said, “I worry about our competitiveness as a country if we let that many households go unconnected.” She’s right!

I pounded that pavement and walked those halls in lock step with my fellow ACA Connects Members. I shared my story and what keeps my family going in this business as the trusted broadband provider in the communities we serve. I spent a great deal of time with Senator Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the influential Senate Commerce Committee. In addition, I had thoughtful and fruitful conversations with Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Deb Fischer, and Missouri’s Junior

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers on stage at Summit 2024

I can guarantee you the next time RURAL BROADBAND ISSUES come across their desk, I made sure they would think of US and what it means for small, family run providers who don’t have scores of lawyers, accountants, and compliance experts to navigate complex rules and requirements. To be #RuralBroadbandStrong, they all understood the message that we should be EMPOWERED—not hampered. We need the freedom and ability to keep INVESTING & INNOVATING in the infrastructure that is keeping local economies moving!

I must take a few words to say goodbye to my dear friend and comrade in arms, Mike Bowker, Chief Growth Officer at Cable One. Mike served as Vice Chairman of your Board of Directors of ACA

Connects for the past five years. He announced at the Summit his plans to step down as Vice Chairman of our board of directors. He is retiring!! Mike, thank you for your many years of sage advice and steady wisdom. I always knew, that in the heat of the battle, down in whatever foxhole we found ourselves, when the smoke cleared, I could always look over my shoulder and there you were…reloading! We wish you all the best in retirement. We’re excited for what these more restful years will bring to you, your wonderful family and especially those grandbabies! I know you’ll stay engaged with us.

I am pleased to announce that John Reardon has now taken the helm as Vice Chairman. Since February 2023, John Reardon has served as President and CEO of Schurz Communications, Inc. He was previously with Schurz Communications, serving as an independent Director of Schurz Communications. He brings a plethora of experience and wisdom to the telecommunications industry. We’re fortunate to have him on our team to further elevate ACA Connects, the best and most effective organization for small and independent broadband and video companies.

Onward and Upward!

The Summit celebrated how we are INVESTING and INNOVATING in our communities. It’s not easy work but it is important in people’s lives. From connecting homes, hospitals, schools, small businesses and more—AND it wouldn't be possible without YOU and our ACA Connects family advocating to keep our businesses alive. America is counting on us to keep up this fight… and FIGHT WE SHALL! ■

Patricia Jo Boyers is President and CEO of BOYCOM Vision located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Senator Eric Schmitt, as well as Missouri’s Senior Senator Josh Hawley.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers

From left: ACAC President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer and ACAC Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers congratulate ACAC Vice Chairman Mike Bowker on his retirement

Thank You for Supporting #Summit2024!

By Stacey Leech, ACA Connects VP of Member Services

It’s a wrap for #Summit2024, but I would be remiss not to thank every person and company that helped make it a success!

ACA Connects Operator Members: Our Summit is for YOU! We plan every detail with you in mind. From the speakers down to the food and beverage selection, every decision we make is to enhance your experience, make it a worthwhile investment of time and money, and allow you the opportunity to learn, network, and tell your story to D.C. policymakers! The feedback you offer allows us to continue to improve our event and make it better every year!

ACA Connects Sponsors and Exhibitors: How lucky are we to have such great vendor partners?!? Your participation enables us to provide the quality event that the Summit is known for while providing an opportunity for our cable and broadband service providers to network with you throughout their time in Washington. Our goal is for you to walk away and feel that the Summit was time and money well spent!

ACA Connects Industry Partners: There are so many other organizations and associations in our industry that work side-by-side with ACA Connects to advocate on behalf of our members. We value the opportunity to learn from each other and build relationships with other entities that are equally as passionate about empowering small and mid-sized cable and broadband providers.

ACA Connects Outside Consultants: Although we are small, we are mighty! But sometimes we need a little help from our friends! That’s where our outstanding team of expert consultants comes in! Whether it’s lobbying, legal, marketing/ design, or event management, we have a group of individuals who are heads and shoulders above the crowd! And rest assured that each of them is as focused as we are on helping our members!

ACA Connects Staff: What can I say? I work with the best people. EVER. This group is a great team who are all ready to help out when needed. Each person plays an important role and pivotal piece of the success of the Summit. I look forward to each of us building on our individual strengths as we begin to plan for #Summit2025 (but just not quite yet!).

ACA Connects Summit Speakers: This year’s Summit welcomed some new and familiar faces to the stage. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr joined us again while Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Commissioner Anna Gomez made their Summit speaking debut! Communications

Advisor and Pollster Frank Luntz once again kept Summit attendees engaged and entertained during his session. And last, but certainly not least, executives from ImOn Communications, GCI, Metronet, and Calix, offered their keen insight regarding obstacles, issues, and business solutions for our Members.

All of these groups have greatly contributed to the success of #Summit2024! And, now that the dust has settled, here are a few notable stats from the event:

• About 43% of our attendees were joining us for the very first time;

• More than 42% of our attendees participated in meetings on Capitol Hill or at the FCC;

• Our attendees visited 56 Congressional offices of key legislators; plus, four meetings at the FCC; and

• Over 49% of our attendees had C-Level, President, Partner, EVP, SVP or VP titles.

Are you thinking about joining us next year? We’ve already announced the dates! Mark your calendars for #Summit2025 scheduled for March 4-6 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. Registration details, sponsorship opportunities and exhibit information will be coming late summer so make sure to watch your inbox and plan to join us at next year’s event! ■

Key Takeaways from Summit 2024

By John Higginbotham ACA Connects EVP & COO

Summit 2024 is now in the books, so now it’s time to look forward to the spring and summer months of baseball, graduations, and vacations, right? While each Washington, D.C. trip is unique in its own right, seeing the Summit through the eyes of four first-time Summit staffers allowed me to slow down, watch, and listen more intently.

Why is the Summit important when you can pick from so many other conferences sprinkled throughout the year? It’s because this is your best opportunity to hear from experts in our industry, network, and also lobby your members of Congress.

I like the smaller atmosphere at the Summit. We typically host 250 to 300 participants, so it

From left: Dave Heimbach, President & CEO, Metronet; Patrice Carroll, President & CEO, ImOn Communications; Dave Hymas, VP, Legal & Regulatory and Deputy General Counsel, GCI; and Brian Hurley, Chief Regulatory Counsel, ACA Connects

provides the perfect atmosphere to have longer, more meaningful conversations with old friends and potential new partners. Ample breaks and exhibit time work to promote a relaxed environment to talk, listen, and learn.

ACA Connects works hard to invite and present the most relevant conversations with the lawmakers and policymakers who influence our communications sector. If you were fortunate enough to attend Summit 2024, you had a chance to hear from three of the five FCC Commissioners (the folks who’ll have plenty to say about Net Neutrality in the coming weeks and months) and the Administrator of the NTIA (charged with overseeing the distribution of more than $42B in BEAD funding). I can’t think of more relevant conversations to participate in at a conference as our Members prepare for the hard work ahead. The lobbying day on the Hill presented unique challenges in 2024. Our Hill Day was scheduled on the same day as President Biden’s State

of the Union speech– the latest date in history! Security was tighter than normal, so getting around some of the congressional offices was challenging. Undeterred, more than 75 ACA Connects Members completed 56 meetings on March 7!

Our message was to the point – YOU continue to build out to the most rural areas of this country – now serving roughly 25% of the USA while passing 31.9 million households. YOU operate in a highly competitive marketplace – more than 96% of households have a choice of two or more providers. YOU need help from Congress in expediting access to rights-of-way and poles at reasonable, non-discriminatory rates and within reasonable timeframes – so YOU can do the job of closing the digital divide in rural America. We can’t wait to see you at Summit 2025 on March 4, 5 and 6, 2025. Have a healthy and safe spring! ■

John Higginbotham is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ACA Connects.

ACA Connects EVP & COO John Higginbotham on the left and NCTC CEO Lou Borrelli discuss industry changes

ACA Connects staff assist Members with their Capitol Hill appointments at Summit 2024 in Washington, D.C.

It’s Not Too Late to Join (or Renew!) AMP Membership

By Stacey Leech, ACA Connects VP of Member Services

What a first quarter this has been—it was here and gone in the blink of an eye! And, if you are anything like me, you are STILL trying to catch up on your list of things to do!

If renewing your Associate Membership happens to be one of the open items on your list, there is no need to stress! There’s plenty of time to take advantage of the numerous benefits offered in all four of the membership levels. These benefits include a company listing in our online vendor directory, participating on informative ACA Connects webinars, banner ads in the Media Sweep, and submissions in our digital publication, ICN…just to name a few! You can view all the 2024 levels of membership, benefits and pricing here. Companies who have participated in AMP23 can simply reach out to me to start the renewal process. Vendors who did not participate in the AMP program last year can complete the online application or email me at stacey.leech@acaconnects.org to schedule a call to discuss the program in detail.

For 2024, we have new sponsorship opportunities available to promote your company and offerings to our membership! Let’s partner together to make this the best year yet! ■

Can Congress Afford to Fund the Affordable Connectivity Program?

By Curtis Philp Vice President, Alpine Group

The time has finally come. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is almost out of money, and Congress does not have a clear solution for how to keep the program funded. Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued guidance for providers to wind down the program for participating subscribers.

Broadband providers, including ACA Connects Members, have raised the issue of ACP funding for almost a year with policymakers. But Congress has been locked in a dysfunctional cycle of self-created funding cliffs and a lack of will to make tough decisions regarding spending – especially around how to address calls for the program’s need versus reform of government support programs. This challenge has been exacerbated by a two-vote

margin in the Republican-controlled House and a single vote majority in the Democrat-controlled Senate. For months, a stalemate has existed between appropriators and policy authorizers, House members and Senators, and the two political parties over who is moving first to fund the program. Only in the last month have policymakers put concrete proposals on the table to tackle the solvency of the program utilized by over 20 million households.

"ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS, HAVE RAISED THE ISSUE OF ACP FUNDING FOR ALMOST A YEAR WITH POLICYMAKERS."

For instance, Senators Peter Welch (VT) and J.D. Vance (OH) and Representatives Yvette Clark (NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) have introduced bipartisan legislation to provide $7 billion to fund ACP through the end of the fiscal year. It has picked up some support of members. Another group of legislators are looking at possible borrowing authority for the FCC to continue the program for the rest of the year hoping it would give Congress time to resolve a longerterm funding solution. Further, some have called to use spectrum auction authority as a payfor for ACP. But that authority has been expired for over a year and still faces hurdles over defense versus commercial use of the spectrum. A separate effort to examine Universal Service Fund (USF) reforms has the potential to group all the connectivity support programs together could weigh in as well. However, the Congressional USF working group will not have a proposal in time to help ACP this year. In fact, such a major overhaul will take years, leaving the ACP program without a fix as funds run out.

If Congress figures out how to enact supplemental national security funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan this spring, that package could be the lone vehicle before the end of the fiscal year in September to carry ACP funds. Such a solution is far from certain due to congressional Republican concerns with Ukraine military support and Democrat problems over unfettered funds to Israel without conditions related to Gaza humanitarian aid. The presidential election cycle is also complicating the situation with congressional Republicans’ reluctance to approve measures that could be perceived as a win for President Biden's initiatives, especially around the new infrastructure law. Aside from imminent action there still exists an opportunity in the lame duck session of Congress following the elections to solve major fiscal matters. ACP could be part of that if not addressed before then.

"ONLY IN THE LAST MONTH HAVE POLICYMAKERS PUT CONCRETE PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE TO TACKLE THE SOLVENCY OF THE PROGRAM UTILIZED BY OVER 20 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS. "

“DURING THE RECENT ACA CONNECTS SUMMIT, I HEARD NUMEROUS ACAC MEMBERS SPEAK ABOUT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS THEY ARE WORKING ON THEMSELVES OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS CONNECTIVITY IF ACP SUPPORT EXPIRES ENTIRELY."

As providers continue to wind down ACP under the FCC’s guidance, various proposals have been circulating on how the FCC might save ACP by merging it with another program or by some other means. However, there is no clear path forward for the FCC. For instance, there has been some discussion about rolling ACP into the E-rate program, but the legal authority around such a proposal is murky and could put another program at risk if it were used for ACP.

During the recent ACA Connects (ACAC) Summit, I heard numerous ACAC Members speak about potential solutions they are working on themselves outside of government to address connectivity if ACP support expires entirely. Creativity and continued efforts to bolster the communities that ACA Connects Member supports is vital. Please contact ACAC staff if we can help with these efforts in any way. ■

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.

Broadband Rides OpenVault PNM and PMA to Business Success

SOLUTIONS

TANDEM IDENTIFIES AND ADDRESSES PROBLEMS TO DELIVER INDUSTRY-LEADING QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE

By: OpenVault

Broadband experiences and consumer expectations have undergone massive shifts. Faster speeds, streaming providers’ default to higher resolution content, and wider availability of unlimited plans have led to unprecedented usage growth. As persubscriber consumption spirals toward 700 GB per month this year, Quality of Experience expectations have also risen, leading to operator demand for new Proactive Network Management (PNM) and Profile Management Application (PMA) tools and technologies that can optimize QoE and subscriber satisfaction. OpenVault’s Chief Product Office, Brady Volpe, addressed those issues on a recent webinar; here are his insights:

Factors Impacting QoE: “There are many things that impact QoE but the most notable are: Speed Clipping, when a subscriber may need more bandwidth based on their usage behavior and the size of the pipe going into the home; Network Congestion and the negative impact a very heavy user can have on other subscribers; and overall network health, especially identification of network impairments. These networks are living, breathing things that need 24/7 monitoring; a single impairment can have widespread and severe impact on overall QoE.”

The PNM Difference: “PNM can be both proactive and reactive by identifying failures in the network before they impact the subscriber in a way that traditional test and measurement tools cannot. Rather than just replace a subscriber’s modem, we can get to the root cause of the impairment, identify and solve all the underlying issues, and improve the subscriber’s overall QoE.”

QoE and Revenue Roadmaps: “Improving revenue among the subscriber base is operators’

top concern. But to offer more services and achieve additional revenue you have to ensure that subscribers’ quality of service is already wellmaintained to justify any increased fees. PNM optimizes workflows by ensuring that outside plant impairment issues get properly identified, rather than needlessly rolling trucks to subscribers’ homes.”

PMA and QoE: “Some fabulous technology has been enabled on DOCSIS 3.1 – OFDM in the downstream, OFDM/A in the upstream – that enables operators to offer gigabit speeds in both directions. PMA technology is constantly monitoring both the OFDM and OFDM/A channels, and if an impairment is found it makes adjustments to ensure that all of the DOCSIS 3.1 modems stay locked to those channels and are able to achieve optimal speed. PMA is not able to fix the impairment; it just ensures we get the maximum speed in both the upstream and the downstream in the DOCSIS 3.1 network despite impairments. It all goes back to needing to maintain that maximum QoE to improve subscriber revenue and retention.”

PNM + PMA: “Some people like extra toppings on their ice cream; we happen to like both PNM and PMA together. When PMA and PNM are joined in tandem, PMA compensates for the impairment with additional network capacity and resiliency, but it doesn’t fix the impairment. PNM precisely and quickly identifies where the impairment is, how many subscribers are being impacted, and what is the true root cause of that impairment. The combination of PMA and PNM is the ultimate ying and yang concept.” ■

Work Smarter Work Smarter

OV PNM Identifies and Prioritizes Network Impairments

Optimize your workforce, reduce costs and improve quality of experience (QoE) for your subscribers:

Unparalleled Visibility: OV PNM gives unprecedented visibility into network impairments whether it’s outside the plant or inside the home. From suckouts to standing waves to FM radio ingress, OV PNM uncovers it all.

Intelligent Problem Solving: With clear actionable insights, OV PNM goes beyond visibility by recommending and prioritizing appropriate corrective action. OV PNM and its mobile app capabilities makes it easier to detect and prioritize impairments.

Proactive Maintenance: Importantly, OV PNM allows you to address impairments before they escalate into service interruptions resulting in fewer truck rolls, fewer calls to customer care, and reduced operational costs.

Find out how OpenVault can deliver optimized network management and greater QoE.

Email us sales@openvault.com or visit openvault.com.

Trouble shoot customer issues

Manage network resources

Streamline network maintenance

Gain valuable insights into network health

Sports Programmers Tilt Playing Field with New Joint Venture

By Zamir Ahmed ACA Connects Vice President of External Affairs

In the past few months, the Kansas City Chiefs repeated as Super Bowl champions, Caitlin Clark became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball history, and millions of brackets were busted as March Madness lived up to its name once again. Yet, the biggest sports story of 2024 might be Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) announcement that it will launch a joint sports streaming platform later this year.

This juggernaut would combine three of the largest programming distributors to offer viewers access to, by some estimates, two-thirds of televised sports content. Though the executives running these conglomerates talk a good game about the platform’s target demographic of sports fans without pay-TV subscriptions, ACA Connects Members know this new service would siphon away subscribers that want more affordable, better customized options. For years, our Members have tried to negotiate with content distributors – including Disney, Fox, and WBD – for skinny bundle packages tailored for subscribers’ interests and wallets. This includes a sports package that would let viewers watch their favorite teams at affordable rates while holding harmless viewers who do not want to watch or pay for pricey sports programming.

Now, three of the biggest sports rights holders are colluding to offer exactly the kind of sports-first bundle that ACA Connects Members have long wanted to provide to subscribers. Not only will this sports-first platform incentivize more customers to cut the cable cord, Disney, Fox, and WBD will continue to raise prices on our Members that offset any potential losses caused

"[T]HREE

OF

THE

BIGGEST

SPORTS RIGHTS HOLDERS ARE COLLUDING TO OFFER EXACTLY THE KIND OF SPORTS-FIRST BUNDLE THAT ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS HAVE LONG WANTED TO PROVIDE TO SUBSCRIBERS"

by their joint venture to ensure they can afford the skyrocketing rates of sports media rights. As our Members are well aware, the cost of sports media rights has increased astronomically in recent years. An analysis by Bloomberg News found that media companies paid $15.4 billion in 2023 for the broadcast rights for just the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS, up from $3.4 billion in 2000. This cost does not include broadcast rights for other professional, collegiate, and amateur sports, such as the WNBA, college football, March Madness, major championships for golf and tennis, NASCAR, Formula One, and the Little League World Series. To afford

this “must-have” programming, content owners have shifted the burden to pay-TV providers – and, consequently, their subscribers – through hefty carriage fees that have made bills unreasonable for millions of Americans.

The joint venture would only exacerbate the issue of skyrocketing sports media rights and their impact on ACA Connects Members. If Disney, Fox, and WBD artificially held down the price of their joint platform to attract consumers, they would look to make up that shortfall by charging our Members more for sports content.

ACA Connects has been loud and clear about our concerns with the joint venture, which would further tip the scales against small cable operators and their customers. At a time when our Members are struggling to corral out-ofcontrol programming costs, this venture allows the biggest media players to exert even more power and leverage over the video marketplace.

"THE JOINT VENTURE WOULD ONLY EXACERBATE THE ISSUE OF SKYROCKETING SPORTS MEDIA RIGHTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON ACA CONNECTS MEMBERS. "

Thankfully, policymakers and the courts are focusing increased attention on the sports media marketplace. The Department of Justice is scrutinizing the proposed joint venture and its potential impact on consumers, sports leagues, and competing services, including ACA Connects Members. In addition, a House of Representatives subcommittee held a congressional hearing earlier this year on the shifting dynamics of sports rights in the wake of increased competition from streaming platforms and changing consumer behavior.

Sports streaming service Fubo has also filed an antitrust lawsuit against Disney, Fox, and WBD alleging their business practices – including the joint sports streaming venture – “monopolize the market, stifle any form of competition, create higher pricing for subscribers and cheat consumers from deserved choice,” according to the lawsuit. With the spotlight shining brightly in Washington on the future of televised sports, ACA Connects has been sharing the perspectives of independent video providers about their struggles to provide an affordable, appealing, and sustainable service in an increasingly unfair and anticompetitive sports media ecosystem. I invite you to join us in educating policymakers about the impact the alarming costs of sports rights is having on consumer choices, competitive prices, and fans’ abilities to root for their hometown teams. ■

Zamir Ahmed is Vice President of External Affairs for ACA Connects. He leads external affairs strategies to advance the organization’s policies and perspectives to diverse audiences, including legislators, federal officials, policymakers, industry partners and other stakeholders.

Nominations Open for 2024 Community Champions Contest

By Stacey Leech, ACA Connects VP of Member Services

ACA Connects is excited to announce that entries are now being accepted for the 2024 Community Champion contest. This annual initiative encourages ACAC cable and broadband members to submit a community service project showing how their company supports and uplifts the neighborhoods and customers they serve. Online entries will be accepted through 5 pm Eastern on August 15 and must include a 150-to-250 word description of the project and one photograph. The project submissions will be highlighted in the next two issues of ICN. Voting will take place September 30 through October 30 on the ACA Connects website. The winner will be announced in early November, presented with a $2,500 check to continue their efforts with the project, and spotlighted in the December ICN. Only one entry per company, and the contest is only open to ACA Connects Operator Members.

This is a great way to promote all of the unique and innovative ways that our Members support their communities! Summit attendees may have seen images of 2023 submissions in the opening video and details on all the projects are included in information we provide to Members of Congress during our meetings on Capitol Hill.

The winning project for the 2023 contest, submitted by WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, was supporting STEM initiatives in their Sanford, Florida, community by fundraising to update the technology and simulation software for the Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School Kids Space Center. What an exciting and creative way to encourage children to explore STEM careers, and ACA Connects was proud to make a donation to the school on behalf of WOW!

We know other ACA Connects Members also have excellent community service stories and we are thrilled to share them with our membership, industry, and policymakers in Washington, D.C.! Submit your project today! ■

Another Round of Pole Attachment Reforms: A Good Step for Broadband Deployment

By Max Staloff ACA Connects Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

Access to poles remains one of the biggest impediments to broadband deployment. Pole attachments—particularly those requiring replacement of the pole—require incredible capital and time from the prospective attacher. We have heard from ACA Connects Members that investor-owned utilities typically demand that the attacher cover the entire cost of a pole replacement. This practice makes it more difficult and more expensive to deploy broadband. Meanwhile, investor-owned utilities are receiving an incredible economic windfall when they foist the costs of maintaining and upgrading their pole infrastructure onto attachers.

In December of 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling that makes incremental progress in addressing this issue. To protect the status quo, utilities are challenging the FCC’s new rules and urging it to reverse course. At every turn, ACA Connects is opposing the utilities’ challenges and encouraging the FCC to maintain its positive changes.

“Necessitated Solely”

One of the most important updates from the FCC is to the “necessitated solely” standard. Under FCC rules, prospective attachers must bear the entire cost of a pole replacement where the pole replacement is “necessitated solely” by the new attachment. When a pole replacement is not “necessitated solely” by a new attachment, new attachers may not be required to

bear pole replacement costs in their entirety.

In December, the FCC clarified when a pole replacement is not "necessitated solely" by an attachment by providing a non-exhaustive list of examples, including where:

• a pole replacement is required because of the utility's previous or contemporaneous change to its internal construction standards (termed the “Grandfathered Pole Ruling”);

• the current pole is already on the utility's internal replacement schedule, regardless of when the replacement is scheduled to take place.

• a pole replacement is necessitated by road expansions, property development, in connection with storm hardening, or similar government-imposed requirements;

• a pole replacement is required pursuant to applicable law; and

• the current pole fails applicable engineering standards, such as those contained in the National Electric Safety Code (NESC).

The FCC also clarified that, if a defective pole must be substituted with a taller pole to accommodate a new attachment, the attacher is responsible only for “the incremental cost of a taller or stronger pole needed to support its new facilities,” rather than the entire expense of an equivalent pole, and such incremental costs must be documented.

These clarifications, particularly the Grandfathered Pole Ruling, will reduce instances where prospective attachers are forced to unfairly bear the entire cost of a pole replacement. ACA Connects has heard extensive testimony from ACA Connects Members of how utilities will change the construction standards of a pole, after the pole is built, in order to require any new attacher to replace the pole soon after. In these instances, the Grandfathered Pole Ruling will protect prospective attachers from having to bear the entire cost of a replacement.

The FCC adopted other rules which will help ACA Connects Members deploy broadband in a costeffective manner. For example, the rules (1) require utilities to provide potential attachers, upon request, the information contained in the utilities’ most recent pole inspection report; (2) expand the definition

"THE FCC’S NEW RULES ARE A SMALL, BUT WELCOMED, CHANGE. THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE TO REFORM THE FCC’S POLE ATTACHMENT AND POLE REPLACEMENT RULES."

contractors for self-help and one-touch makeready.

The FCC’s new rules are a small, but welcomed, change. There is still a lot of work to be done to reform the FCC’s pole attachment and pole replacement rules. We will continue to fight the good fight on behalf of our Members so they can more efficiently and effectively deploy more broadband. ■

Welcome to Cable 2.0 – MVPDs are Well Positioned for Success

By Scott Friedman

Partner, Cinnamon Mueller

Cable programmers today look a lot like the newspaper industry 15 years ago, which cannibalized its core business in a race to embrace new distribution methods. For newspapers, it was daily print delivery. For programmers, it is the cable bundle.

Scott Friedman Gold Member

Content Aggregation Was Great Until Programmers

Got Greedy. For decades, MVPDs and programmers enjoyed a true partnership. Programmers relied on license fees and ad sales revenue, and MVPDs profited from video. As content consolidated under fewer ownership groups, programmers forced their expanded content portfolios on MVPDs, while at the same time aggressively re-setting license fees during contract renewals followed by huge increases in the out years. MVPDs had no choice but to pass increases through to customers, and with retail video pricing exploding accordingly, consumers demanded alternatives. Enter Netflix.

Streaming Attempts to Destroy the Aggregators. As consumers flocked to Netflix, MVPD’s worried about cord cutters, and programmers started streaming their own on-demand services like Disney+, Paramount+, MAX and Peacock. While most MVPDs no longer fear the cord cutter knowing that customers aren’t cutting the broadband cord, programmers’ rush to compete with Netflix’s on-demand offerings left other content behind, including live sports, the most highly rated. Enter the sports bundle.

The Sports Bundle – the Final Leap? Fox, Disney/ ESPN, and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced plans to combine their sports content into one Hulu-like streaming bundle. Consumers will be able to subscribe to a sports-centric offering, yet content owners still prohibit MVPDs from creating and offering similar packages themselves. How many streaming services are there now? How much does it cost to subscribe to all of them? Can a consumer put everything back together under one service provider? Enter cable 2.0, the great reaggregation.

Broadband is the Answer. As streaming services continue to increase their prices, consumers are beginning to recognize the value of aggregation. App-based broadband via IPTV is a worthy competitor to aggregated OTT providers, as well as programmers’ standalone streaming services, both of which help keep an MVPD’s broadband customers “sticky.” MVPDs are uniquely positioned to stream their own app-based broadband video offerings and potentially bundle other streaming services via resale agreements. MVPDs will be there to pick up the pieces as we enter the next generation of video delivery.

Include Your Lawyer Early and Often. Whether a legacy operator or a new entrant, there is much to know about new technologies and how MVPDs can best take advantage of them. Cinnamon Mueller attorneys have worked in-house for companies like the National Cable Television Cooperative, Time Warner Cable and Millennium Digital Media. We not only know the law, we understand the business. We are happy to help you out of any sticky situation, of course, but we add the most value when we’re working alongside your business team to help them navigate the path. Please contact us at admin@ cinnamonmueller.com if we can be of assistance with your future video plans. ■

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

SUmmIT Gallery PHOTO 2024

ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers taps gavel to call the Board of Directors' Meeting to order

Congressman John Joyce

Congressman Richard Hudson

The room was packed during the 1Q24 Board of Directors' Meeting

Alpine Group Chairman Rhod Shaw

Mediacom Communications SVP of Government & Public Relations and ACAC Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers

Congressman Jay Obernolte

Calix President & CEO Michael Weening

A group discusses with Congressman Richard Hudson during a break at the ACAC Board of Directors' Meeting Buckeye Broadband President Geoff Shook

From left: Cable One VP of Operations John Walburn; Cable One Chief Growth Officer Mike Bowker; Breezeline General Counsel Leslie Brown; and Congressman John Joyce

ACA Connects Chief Regulatory Counsel Brian Hurley

Communication Advisor and Pollster Frank Luntz

From left: ACA Connects EVP & COO John Higginbotham; ACAC Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers; ACA Connects Vice Chairman John Reardon; and Calix President & CEO Michael Weening

ACAC President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer on left and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr

From left: Kelley Drye & Warren Partner Tom Cohen; Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson; and Armstrong President Jeff Ross FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks

Susie Tomenchok presents at the Master Class

ACAC EVP & COO John Higginbotham on left and NCTC CEO Lou Borrelli

From left: Metronet President & CEO Dave Heimbach; ImOn Communications President & CEO Patrice Carroll; GCI VP, Legal & Regulatory and Deputy General Counsel Dave Hymas; and ACAC Chief Regulatory Counsel Brian Hurley

From left: ACAC President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer; FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez; and ACAC Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin

From left: Shentel EVP & COO Ed McKay, Congressman Buddy Carter; and MCTV President Katherine Gessner

From left: Buckeye Broadband President Geoff Shook; All West Government Relations Marty Carollo; Alta Fiber Director Rob Shema; Alta Fiber Managing Director Ted Heckmann; Congressman Bob Latta, MCTV President Katherine Gessner, Shentel EVP & COO Ed McKay; and Metronet President & CEO Ed Mckay.

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt and ACAC Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers

From left: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and staff assistant; Google Fiber Government Affairs and Public Policy Ariane Schaffer; and ACA Connects VP of External Affairs Zamir Ahmed

Congressman John Curtis on left and All West Government Relations Marty Carollo

From left: Shentel EVP & COO Ed McKay; Congressman Brett Guthrie; Broadlinc VP of Operations TJ Scott, and Murray Electric Operation Superintendent for Broadband Services Chad Lawson

From left: ACAC President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer; Armstrong President Jeff Ross; U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito; ACAC Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers; Cable One Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Peter Witty; and MCTV General Counsel & Head of Government Affairs Chris Thomas

From left: Astound Broadband Corporate Counsel & VP Government Relations David Von Moritz; Armstrong President Jeff Ross; and MCTV's Bob Gessner (retired)

Armstrong President Jeff Ross and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito

From left: Buckeye President Geoff Shook; Google Fiber Government Affairs and Public Policy Ariane Schaffer; and ACAC President & CEO Grant Spellmeyer

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn

September 23 Cable TV Pioneers 58th Annual Banquet

September 24-26 SCTE TechExpo24

Sept. 29-October 2 NTCA Fall Conference

October 6-9 WTA 2024 Fall Educational Forum

October 8 Fiber Broadband Association - Regional Fiber Connect-Calgary

October 8-10 Mobile World Congress Las Vegas

October 9-11 Broadband Nation Expo

October 12-15 Calix ConneXions

October 14-17 WISPAPALOOZA

October 20-22 The INCOMPAS Show

October 21-22 WICT 2024 Leadership Conference

October 23 Walter Kaitz Foundation’s Annual Fundraising Dinner

October 27-29 NTCA CyberShare Summit

October 28-30 Broadband Association of Alabama & Mississippi Annual Meeting

November 7 Fiber Broadband Association - Regional Fiber Connect-Albuquerque

November 10-13 National Exchange Carriers Association Expo (NECA)

November 14-15 South Carolina Telecom & Broadband Assn Fall Conference

Events subject to change. Please refer to the corresponding website for the most updated information.

THE MEMBERS' LOUNGE

ACA Connects' website, led by the Members' Lounge, is an online platform providing access to key documents, studies, reports and filings that serve as value-added components to an ACA Connects Membership.