JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 CONNECTION BROADBAND: MILLENNIAL EDITION EXPANDED OFFERINGS Libraries aren't just for borrowing books anymore HEALTHY HABITS No Limits Fitness 2 is more than an average gym SIMMERING SATISFACTION Slow cooker recipes warm winter tables INDUSTRY NEWS Rural Connections BY SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association What is your broadband story? We just closed out a year when rural broadband was a continuing news item, and I believe that will hold true in 2019. This is good news for those of you read- ing this magazine, and even better news for the millions of rural Americans not served by a progressive broadband pro- Fighting cyberthreats together vider like yours. NTCA continues a collaboration with the Department It’s easy to get caught up in the policy of Homeland Security to provide telcos with critical behind the issues. After all, the bills Congress debates become the laws that cyberthreat information govern rural broadband. It’s so important Small telecommunications providers mount a strong defense against advanced that rural broadband providers like yours security threats from criminal elements and overseas enemies. Beyond the profes- stay involved in the process to ensure sionals on its local staff, your internet provider benefits from the cybersecurity that public policy encourages investment efforts of hundreds of similar companies across the U.S. in building reliable broadband service to NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association represents nearly 850 independent, our rural regions. That’s a key function of community-based telecommunications companies, helping them collectively NTCA as the unified voice of nearly 850 work toward solutions to industry challenges and better serve their members and independent, community-based telecom- customers. munications companies. The association recently announced that, in partnership with the Department of But we must always remind ourselves Homeland Security and National Institute for Hometown Security, it will explore that the reason we work for good public creating a forum for small, rural telecom operators from across the country to share policy is to help communities build the and receive timely, actionable and relevant cyber information. networks needed to support an improved Bob Kolasky, director of the National Risk Management Center, presented quality of life for real people. In every NTCA with a National Infrastructure Protection Program Security & Resilience issue of this magazine, you read stories of Challenge award for 2019 to support the project, which will include the creation people who are using broadband to make and beta test of a daily cyber intelligence report. This will be curated to meet the a difference in their lives, businesses, unique needs and interests of community-based telecommunications broadband families and communities. That is what providers. drives our work. This new award follows NTCA’s successful collaboration with DHS to create the With funding programs in the news, 2018 Cyber Wise Program that provided free, industry-focused risk management USDA efforts and FCC initiatives — not training to rural telcos. to mention new providers getting into “NTCA is proud to support small, rural operators as they navigate an increas- the telecom business — 2019 is going to ingly complex cyber landscape,” says NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley be another big news year for broadband. Bloomfield. “As we all know, cyberattacks are truly a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if,’ Help us keep our eyes on the human and this new partnership with DHS and NIHS will help explore a new forum to impact by sharing your broadband stories ensure rural broadband providers are both aware of threats and equipped with the on social media using the #ruraliscool information and tools that they need to respond. I’m grateful for this continued col- hashtag. laboration and look forward to seeing its results.” 2 | January/February 2019 Lifeline is a government assistance program that can help pay a portion of your telephone, mobile Lifeline phone or internet bill each month. Consumers are allowed only one SERVICE Lifeline program benefit per household. ? How much will Lifeline Guidelines will continue to be eli- save me? gible for a Lifeline program benefit. (State determinations of income will If you qualify for Lifeline, you will no longer be accepted.) There are receive a credit of $9.25 each no changes to the eligibility criteria month on your bill. for Tribal programs. FRS Youth App What services are covered ? NOTE: Some states have additional Challenge by this credit? qualifying programs, allowances You have the choice (where applica- and stipulations. Check with your Students, it’s time to start ble) of applying your benefit to one local telecommunications provider thinking about the Foundation of three types of service offerings: for information about benefits that for Rural Service’s challenge and • Fixed or mobile broadband may be available in your state. the app that could pave the way • Fixed or mobile voice-only to your future. • Bundles of fixed or mobile voice ? How do I enroll in the and broadband Lifeline program and start Who: Students enrolled in grades receiving this benefit? seven to 12. A single student, NOTE: Lifeline can only be used for To find out whether you qualify for or teams with as many as five one source of communication from Lifeline assistance, please visit students, may compete. the list above. www.lifelinesupport.org or call your local telecommunications provider. What: Develop a concept for a Can I receive more than ? mobile app to address a problem one Lifeline credit? NOTE: Your telephone company is or improve a process in your No, consumers are allowed only one not responsible for determining rural community or in rural Lifeline program benefit per house- who qualifies for these programs or America at-large. The challenge hold. who receives assistance. Consumers is concept-based only, and must meet specific criteria in order entries will be judged based on ? How do I qualify? to obtain assistance with their local how well-researched and well- telephone and/or broadband service, You are eligible for Lifeline benefits presented the app is. It must be and qualifying is dependent upon if you qualify for and receive one of possible and not already an app government-established guidelines. the following benefits: in existence. • SNAP • Medicaid When: The submission deadline is • Supplemental Security Income March 1, 2019. (SSI) ? • Federal Public Housing Assistance Why: The winning team will • The Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension benefit. DO YOU QUALIFY? receive $1,000 in gift cards and Stay connected with a Codecademy scholarships. Additionally, consumers at or below Lifeline discount. 135 percent of the Federal Poverty How: Visit FRS.org for more Apply today! information about submissions. January/February 2019 | 3 FROM THE CEO CONNECTION JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 VOL. 6, NO. 1 Service for all generations The Foothills Connection is a bimonthly newsletter published by Foothills Communications, ©2019. It is distributed ne thing that’s great about our business is how our network without charge to all customers of the can have a positive impact on so many people. Broadband company. Obenefits everyone from children to seniors — even if they use it for different things. In many instances, Foothills Communications has served four, five, six or even seven generations of families in our area. How many companies can say that? Obviously, times have changed, and the communication needs of your grandparents or great- grandparents were very different than yours are. Foothills is a member-owned cooperative This issue of the magazine is focusing on one particular genera- that has been serving residents and tion that seems to grab a lot of headlines: the millennials. While businesses in eastern Kentucky since 1951. experts vary slightly on the parameters, “millennial” is the name In the early days, we only offered telephone given to people with birth dates from the mid-1980s through about service over copper wires. Over the years, we have expanded our network and now RUTH CONLEY 2005. provide broadband internet and cable TV Chief Executive Officer Depending on what articles you have read, you may feel mil- services over fiber optic facilities to much lennials are either ruining everything or likely to save us all. But I of our service area, which includes Magoffin believe one thing is certain: With millennials becoming the largest County and portions of Johnson County and segment of our population, they are going to change the way companies operate and the way Lawrence County. We love being part of the our society works. communities we serve. Our customers are One of the primary traits most millennials share is the pervasiveness of technology in their our families, friends and neighbors. lives. In fact, most members of this generation — especially those in their teens and early 20s — have never known a world without internet-connected technology. It may be easy to sit back and worry about the shifts this generation is already creating. But to me, it’s important to remember that these millennials are the future of our community and Foothills Communications of Foothills Communications. P.O. Box 240 Think about it with me. 1621 Kentucky Route 40 West Their complex lives frequently play out in a mix of social media and text messages, Staffordsville, KY 41256 rather than face-to-face interactions. www.foothills.net 606-297-3501 With the advent of digital photography and phones with cameras, they are the most photographed generation in human history. They aspire to jobs working remotely, like coding, web design or other careers that couldn’t have existed a decade or two ago. And if they create their own companies, the Foothills Mission Statement business world — especially in rural America — doesn’t present nearly as many obsta- “To provide the latest in cles for startups as it once did.