The National Cable Television Cooperative is launching a new initiative to help small cable operators offer broadband service -- the Broadband Solutions-Access Program -- that it says will help its members stay competitive in providing access to the internet for their customers.
The NCTC, which represents more than 750 members that serve about 15 million consumers in over 3,000 communities, mainly in rural areas, said it will create mutually beneficial relationships with national access carriers and regional transport circuit providers.
Under the new program, NCTC will negotiate master service agreements for its member operators who can elect to opt into the agreements. Rather than independently contracting with large carriers to carry traffic, which can be costly for operators and pose administrative challenges, NCTC members can purchase bandwidth through the NCTC master agreements.
“Broadband is a very important business for our members. NCTC has a 30-year track record of providing similar programs for cable content and technologies that has worked well for NCTC members and supplier/partners. Helping smaller and rural markets be more competitive is what we have done for decades,” NCTC CEO Rich Fickle said in a press release.
NCTC will administer the Broadband Solutions – Access Program and its executive team, board of directors and a member-led advisory committee will provide program guidance.
“Meeting the ever-increasing customer bandwidth demand is critical to our members’ long-term success,” NCTC vice president of broadband solutions Jared Baumann said in a press release. “This new program not only helps our members effectively meet the evolving market needs, but it also provides carriers with one point of contact for our entire member base, increasing their sales and operational efficiency.”
NCTC will administer the Broadband Solutions – Access Program. NCTC’s executive team, board of directors and a member-led advisory committee will provide program guidance.
