Fiber Broadband: An Essential Platform for All Industries

As Tennesseans are enjoying the first warm breezes of spring, I’ve already been to sunny Florida to soak up some rays and education at this year’s Rural Telcom Industry Meeting & Expo. My travels also took me closer to home at the Pick TN Conference down the road in Franklin. Both events were highly informative, and it was good to get some new perspectives early in the year.

I was reminded that part of our value as an industry comes from facilitating others’ efforts to tell stories to large audiences. From farmers and marketers to educators and healthcare providers, fiber broadband provides the platform for would-be storytellers spinning narratives in written, video, and podcast formats.

I have been also thinking about the contribution broadband providers make to other industries in general. At Pick TN, I heard Brandon Ellis’ “Farming in the Cloud” session which addressed the concept of using digital technology to introduce farming and growing techniques to those who haven’t been able to put their hands in the dirt. His innovative product reminded me of the value of fiber broadband and connectivity. The bottom line is our members’ dedication and service make businesses stronger and drive innovation in agriculture and so many other areas. As we celebrate Ag Day on March 19, let’s remember how vital our farmers are to our sustainability and how beneficial our members are in keeping our farmers connected.

When we talk about fiber broadband’s benefits to other industries, it’s important to consider the state and federal-funded grant programs that have driven fiber infrastructure in rural areas. The state and Federal governments often make essential communications mechanisms like high-speed internet accessible for rural customers like the ones our members serve. Without these initiatives, we might not have discussions around farming and the cloud. But with their continued contributions and our members’ dedication, we’ll have a front-row seat to tech developments across industries for many years to come.

I look forward to seeing you at industry conferences and exploring what lies ahead.