The Emerging Markets Committee is formed to further drive the proliferation of broadband to underserved markets. Utilizing the WCAI platform, the Committee facilitates collaborative opportunities across regulatory, engineering, financial and operating aspects for its members. Committee members are uniquely positioned to share its successes so that the innovation occurring throughout the United States is recognized and rewarded.
Susan Polyakova
Vice President, Communications & Strategy
WCAI susan@wcai.com
Dial in information and an agenda will be circulated via email, if you have any additional questions or would like to join the call, please contact Susan Polyakova (susan@wcai.com) for more information.
While broadband is readily accessible in most major American cities, a quarter of the country's population lives in rural towns where access can be both scarce and expensive. Rural broadband initiatives hope to bring broadband to more isolated regions with low population density, in the most cost effective manner. Advocates argue that without affordable access to the Internet, rural Americans are at a social, economic and public disadvantage. A number of solutions have been proposed and the Senate is currently reviewing an act to establish a Rural Broadband Office in the Department of Agriculture.
TheRural Broadband Initiative Act of 2007 was introduced in the Senate on 3/29/07 and would Amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish the Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives, to be headed by the Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives.
The USDA has set up a rural development loan program to aid the telecom industry in effecting adequate infrastructure for rural broadband expansion.
The WCAI has created a Rural Broadband Committee to organize industry outreach on this important issue.
WCAI provides information on consultants who have particular expertise in rural broadband and funding strategies, and who are also willing to work within an organized peer structure whereby track records can be evaluated.
Rural Utilities Service Financing, Applications & Program Advisory Services
The Emerging Markets Committee is formed to further drive the proliferation of broadband to underserved markets. Utilizing the WCAI platform, the Committee facilitates collaborative opportunities across regulatory, engineering, financial and operating aspects for its members. Committee members are uniquely positioned to share its successes so that the innovation occurring throughout the United States is recognized and rewarded.
