MAY/JUNE 2017 Published for Customers of Smoke Signals Center Trains New and Experienced Firefighters
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ConnectedMAY/JUNE 2017 Published for customers of Smoke signals Center trains new and experienced firefighters SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Faith-N-Hymn makes a joyful noise COASTER TO COASTER Experts pick their top theme park rides INDUSTRY NEWS Rural Connections BY SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association Taking the voice of rural America to Capitol Hill orking in the nation’s capi- tal, sometimes it can feel W as if people have forgotten how to work together toward a common goal. That is one reason I look forward to springtime, when NTCA hosts our annual Legislative and Policy Conference. Tired of robocalls? Leaders from telcos just like yours, from FCC proposes new rules to block those unwanted calls all across the country, visit D.C. to meet with policymakers and to speak with one Last year, U.S. consumers received about 2.4 billion robocalls monthly, accord- voice — yours. ing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The regulatory agency is As this year’s conference began in proposing new rules that could bring relief to consumers weary of this annoying — late March, telco leaders gathered for a and sometimes dangerous — practice. meeting with new FCC Chairman Ajit The FCC is considering rules that would give telephone companies the author- Pai. A product of rural America himself, ity to block spoofed robocalls — wherein callers fake their Caller ID information Chairman Pai shared with us his ideas on in order to hide their identity — when a subscriber requests that calls originating ways to ensure that discussions among from that number be blocked. The proposed rules would allow providers to block our elected officials about improving the spoofed robocalls when the spoofed Caller ID information cannot possibly be valid, nation’s infrastructure also include the including numbers that have not been assigned to anyone. critical role of broadband. In its proposal, the FCC highlights the danger of robocalls by referencing IRS Telco leaders came to Washington ready reports. “There have been over 10,000 victims of a scam in which callers pretend to share with lawmakers their stories, data, to be representing the IRS and claim the called party owes back taxes,” according challenges, investment plans and eco- to the FCC. Threatened with arrest or deportation, victims of these scams have col- nomic opportunities for rural America that lectively paid over $54 million. they are primed to kick-start. The energy More recent reports tell the story of callers already having some personal and enthusiasm of this group was inspir- information about a targeted consumer or business, then tricking them into saying ing, as they went from meeting to meeting “yes” to a seemingly harmless question in order to falsely authorize charges to their reminding policymakers about the impor- victims. tance of broadband for all Americans. While the idea of blocking calls may seem like a good one on the surface, the There are significant challenges when FCC is quick to point out that a balanced approach must be taken. “It is also working to deliver broadband in rural important for the Commission to protect the reliability of the nation’s communica- areas, such as federal regulations and tions network and to protect consumers from provider-initiated blocking that harms, funding — not to mention the challenges rather than helps, consumers,” according to the FCC’s proposal. “The Commission inherent with building infrastructure to therefore must balance competing policy considerations — some favoring blocking areas of low population density and rug- and others disfavoring blocking — to arrive at an effective solution that maximizes ged terrain. But you can be proud to know consumer protection and network reliability.” that your telco is part of a much larger These latest steps from the FCC continue efforts by industry, regulatory and con- family of service providers that is taking sumer groups to put an end to robocall practices — and that is welcome news for your message to lawmakers: that rural the millions of Americans on the receiving end of those annoying calls. broadband is good for all of America. 2 | May/June 2017 Build Broadband With Us! As Washington focuses on improving our nation’s critical infrastructure, broadband needs to be a key component of those plans. Why? Rural broadband The rural Members of Rural broadband providers broadband NTCA–The Rural providers contribute billions industry supports Broadband collaborate with of dollars to the nearly 70,000 jobs. Association serve local leaders U.S. economy and rural customers in on broadband- support billions 45 states, covering enabled of dollars in 37 percent of the solutions. e-commerce. (From 2015 survey) nation’s landmass. TAKE ACTION! b Sign up to be an advocate at www.buildbroadbandwithus.com. b Follow and share at www.twitter.com/NTCAconnect and www.facebook.com/NTCARuralTelecom. b Contact your U.S. elected officials and let them know that “I am served by a rural broadband provider, and I know firsthand the positive impact this vital service has on a community. Please include rural broadband in your plans as Washington focuses on building our nation’s infrastructure.” (For contact information for your U.S. senators and U.S. representative, visit www.usa.gov/elected-officials). #BUILDBROADBANDWITHUS May/June 2017 | 3 FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Connected Involved in the legislative process MAY/JUNE 2017 VOL. 21, NO. 3 Connected is a bimonthly magazine s this article is written, four members of your board of trustees and I just con- published by Farmers Telecommun- ications Cooperative, © 2017. It cluded a day visiting with our U.S. Congressional Delegation and members of their is distributed without charge to all Arespective staffs in our nation’s Capitol. I appreciate the warm reception we got customers of FTC. from them and the time and attention they gave us. We were joined by a number of others from Alabama’s rural telecommunications industry. In a few days I will likely offer testimony on the subject of rural broadband before a committee of the Alabama Legislature. May I be frank? There will be those present who will not like what I have to say. The political landscape is not always easy to navigate, but we do these things because they are essential to our ability to FTC is a member-owned corporation fulfill our mission. dedicated to providing communications As I’ve reported to you on many occasions, FTC was indeed technology to the people of Northeast fortunate, through exceptional engineering and good economic Alabama. The company has more than FRED JOHNSON 15,000 access lines, making it the state’s timing, to leverage its original optical fiber work plan to ultimately Executive Vice President largest telecommunications cooperative. and General Manager reach approximately 90 percent of our traditional cooperative foot- print. The original design and budget called for a reach of only 72 Farmers Telecommunications percent. Unfortunately, this is of little comfort to those cooperative Cooperative, Inc. members who fall within the 10 percent. The most significant and difficult inquiry I routinely P.O. Box 217 • 144 McCurdy Ave. N. receive from members is on this subject. Rainsville, AL 35986 I was recently challenged by one member in good standing who, quite frankly, let me know Telephone: 256-638-2144 they were tired of excuses and being told there simply was not enough money. I sincerely try www.farmerstel.com to understand this member’s frustration, but the reality is that there really is not enough money to unilaterally build optical fiber to all of these members who are scattered throughout our BOARD OF TRUSTEES entire territory. Randy Wright, President The question is often asked, “What has changed since you built phone service to everyone?” Flat Rock Exchange Therein lies the importance of being involved in the legislative and public policy process. Garry Smith, Vice President Since it was first codified into official public policy in the Telecommunications Act of 1934, Fyffe Exchange the U.S. government has supported a policy of universal telephone service for all Americans. Danny R. Richey, Secretary Historically, this policy was attended by a carefully constructed, if complex, set of federal Geraldine Exchange rules and regulations that provided nontaxpayer-funded public support to rural telephone Lynn Welden, Treasurer companies. Bryant Exchange This made plant construction and delivery of telephone service possible in rural America Kenneth Gilbert at affordable rates. It was this policy, combined with the commitment and support of our Pisgah Exchange members, that made the deployment of telephone service possible to virtually everyone in our Gregg Griffith service area. Henagar Exchange Today, the federal government gives much lip service to including broadband within the Randy Tumlin scope of universal service, but the practical reality is unfortunately much different. Though the Rainsville Exchange new chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, truly has the interest of rural Americans at heart and is the most refreshing chairman to work with of my career, the simple fact is that public policy has Produced for FTC by: changed significantly enough that ample funding just does not exist to support the universal deployment of broadband beyond what is known as the 10/1 standard (10 Mbps download/1 A Content Marketing Company Mbps upload). Until such time as additional public funding is injected into the rural marketplace by a On the Cover: supportive U.S. Congress, there is little hope of reaching everyone at service levels above Fort Payne firefighter this standard at affordable prices. Even though this is not a warm and fuzzy revelation, the Nick James prepares standards of honesty and integrity adopted by FTC require me to tell you the truth even if it is for a drill teaching not popular.