BROADBAND: HELPING YOU THRIVE ConnectedJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 Saddle ’em up Shrine Rodeo coming to Rainsville in March MENTAL HEALTH A HIGH-TECH NEEDS LIFELINE Telepsychiatry crucial Telemedicine powers for local youth up rural health care INDUSTRY NEWS Rural Connections By SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association A good way to start the New Year TCA members make a real differ- ence in their communities, and in Nthe lives of the people they serve. Are you ready for a I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when the Foundation for Rural Service announced it had awarded $100,000 telehealth future? in FRS Community Grants to groups Story by STEPHEN V. SMITH throughout the U.S. FRS is the nonprofit arm of NTCA that supports rural telecom he presence of reliable broadband service holds great promise for rural companies, consumers and policymakers America. While it touches many facets of life, broadband’s greatest impact with educational information, products and Tmay very well be in the area of health care. Consider this statement from programming. the Federal Communications Commission: Each year, community organiza- “Advances in telemedicine are transforming health care from a service deliv- tions apply for FRS grants to help them ered solely through traditional brick and mortar health care facilities to connected tackle challenges ranging from accessing care options delivered via a broadband internet access connection directly to the technology and improving educational patient’s home or mobile location.” offerings to providing telemedicine and While reliable access to a broadband network is still out of reach for millions first-responder services to rural areas. of rural Americans, hundreds of cooperative and independent telecommunications Applications are sponsored by their local companies across the country are delivering world-class internet service, often telco. over a fiber connection. If you received this magazine in the mail, your local telco It was also exciting to see the USDA is one of those leading-edge providers. award several ReConnect grants and loans If access to broadband is becoming less of the challenge to telehealth’s wide- to NTCA members toward the end of the scale availability, what is the greatest challenge? The FCC recently tasked the year. This program represents yet another Intergovernmental Advisory Committee with studying and reporting on telehealth option for rural broadband funding, as barriers and incentives. The report stated that “people-based” issues offer the most well as an example of public/private part- significant challenges to telehealth adoption. While this includes many factors, nerships at work to extend broadband to such as policy and licensing, broadband adoption is a leading concern. unserved communities. In other words, the technology is there. Now, people need to embrace it. After all, investments by federal and “Increasing support must be given to rural and disadvantaged communities so state agencies, coupled with the commit- that digital literacy and adoption does not exacerbate the digital divide,” the IAC ment of rural broadband providers, are report states. Quite simply, the presence of broadband doesn’t mean patients and key to our nation’s progress in connecting doctors are ready to put it to use as part of their health care program. the millions of citizens still without access Are you ready? Do you understand the implications of telehealth? What steps to fast, reliable internet service. can you take toward enjoying its benefits? These programs, as well as the engage- Begin by asking your doctor what programs are available. This could include ment we saw among policymakers at our connected medical devices in your home or something as simple as remote moni- Telecom Executive Policy Summit in toring via an app on your smartphone or tablet. Of course, access to telehealth November, provide a strong start to 2020 starts with subscribing to broadband service that will support this life-changing and give me great hope for a strong new technology. And once in place, broadband has the potential to enhance your life in year for rural broadband. many other ways as well. 2 | January/February 2020 Does your digital Knowledge is power know-how stand up? Story by NOBLE SPRAYBERRY onvenience and power. Internet services bring both. could not correctly answer half of the survey’s 10 multiple- Online bill pay eliminates a tedious task. Social media can choice questions. Ckeep family ties strong or reconnect you with old friends. Questions touched on security and a general understanding Streaming services bring a wealth of music, books and more. of technology. Here are a few of the queries, edited for clarity, But when it comes to digital tools, knowledge is power, focused on security and privacy — good information to know. and the Pew Research Center’s recent “Americans and Digital The answers do include additional context and tips not included Knowledge” report found that a majority of adults in the U.S. in the report. If a website uses cookies, it means forms. Often advertising is personalized information entered into the site is Q that the site … to you by information gathered from encrypted. Look for “https://” before A: Cookies allow websites to track user not only your activities on a social completing any financial transaction on visits and site activity. They are com- media site but also your actions on a site. mon, and you are often tracked across other websites. the websites you visit. Many web browsers offer a feature When a website has a privacy Q known as “private browsing” or Where might someone encounter Q policy, it means that the site … “incognito mode.” If someone opens Q a phishing scam? A: Privacy policies are contracts a webpage on their computer at work A: Phishing scams can occur on social between websites and users about how using incognito mode, who will be able media, websites, email or text mes- those sites will use their data. Often to see their online activities? sages. Each form of communication long and legalistic, the agreements may A: Private browsing mode only prevents offers an avenue for exploitation. For outline how your private information someone using the same computer additional tips to improve your online can be used to target advertising or from seeing one’s online activities. security, visit FCC.gov/consumer-guides. whether or not your information can be In most cases, your internet provider, shared with other companies. including your phone wireless provider, What is the largest source of rev- can see all digital traffic passing from Q enue for most major social media What does it mean when a website your device to the internet. platforms? (Several possible options Q has “https://” at the beginning of were listed.) its URL, as opposed to “http://” with- A: Advertising is the largest source of out the “s”? revenue for most social media plat- A: “https://” in a URL means that Want to see the entire report? Do a Google search for “Pew Research Center and Americans and Digital Knowledge.” January/February 2020 | 3 FROM THE CEO Connected JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 VOL. 24, NO. 1 Connected is a bimonthly magazine Challenging lessons lead published by Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, © 2020. It is distributed without to success charge to all customers of FTC. t was a simple email to two colleagues, short and entirely routine. Nevertheless, I caught myself rearranging two words Ito avoid even a hint of bad grammar. My co-workers would say that is just Fred being normal. They’re probably right, but the process warmly reminded me of something from my past. FTC is the state’s largest member-owned Even though my high school English teacher was one of the best provider of telecommunications services. teachers I ever had, I really didn’t care much for the study of It serves Northeast Alabama with a robust broadband network using world-class optical FRED JOHNSON English. That would not change until a few years later, when I fiber technology. Chief Executive Officer encountered Dr. Gloria Bell, a college professor who possessed an uncanny ability to challenge my thinking in a precise manner that worked. As a result, I developed a significant appreciation Farmers Telecommunications for the power of the spoken and written word, as well as a healthy respect for getting it right. Cooperative, Inc. Dr. Bell did something else, though, and it is for that I am actually the most grateful. One P.O. Box 217 • 144 McCurdy Ave. N. of my responsibilities during my last two years of college involved presiding over student Rainsville, AL 35986 Telephone: 256-638-2144 chapels. Most of my duties involved announcements and speaker introductions. It wasn’t www.farmerstel.com really too heavy a lift. It wasn’t uncommon, however, for Dr. Bell to occasionally point out grammatical slips in my presentation. One day, perhaps sensing a somewhat less-than-desired level of appre- BOARD OF TRUSTEES ciation on my part, she point-blank asked me if I was irritated by her correction. Of course, Randy Wright, President I politely said no, even though one might argue that my answer was somewhere south of Flat Rock Exchange true north on the honesty compass. Her response, however, has stuck with me for 40 years. Garry Smith, Vice President It was a very direct comment. She said, “Fred, the day will come when your ability to speak Fyffe Exchange correctly will be very important to you. It will make a big difference in your life and your Danny R. Richey, Secretary work. I intend to do everything I can to make sure you are ready for that day.” Dr. Bell was Geraldine Exchange known for taking this kind of interest in her students, and she went on to a very successful Lynn Welden, Treasurer academic career.