PODCAST: NRECA’s Matheson on advocating for high-speed, quality rural broadband
As a national service organization that represents America's electric cooperatives, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has come into the telecom industry’s spotlight as a key advocate of rural broadband. Over 250 of its electric cooperatives are deploying or developing plans to deliver broadband service to their consumers.
NRECA has been a key voice on broadband regulatory issues, including the FCC’s proposals to overhaul the Universal Service Fund (USF). In a recent FCC filing, NRECA said that reforms to a national program to subsidize telecommunications networks in high-cost areas must ensure that rural residents “are not relegated to second-tier broadband service.”
In this interview, we spoke with Jim Matheson, CEO of NRECA, about how its electric cooperative members are leveraging existing customer relationships to help bridge the rural broadband divide.
Opening/Introduction | 0:03
Overview of NRECA | 0:26
Jim Matheson, CEO of NRECA, provides an overview of the advocacy group and how more than 200 of its members provide broadband in rural areas today.
Electric cooperatives’ moving into broadband | 2:28
Having delivered electricity in a near-monopoly, NRECA has emphasized to its members that broadband is a different business with different competitive and consumer expectations.
The importance of rural broadband | 4:12
How broadband is an important issue across all rural America.
NRECA members deploying broadband | 5:28
Matheson notes that many of its members who provide broadband services have seen great success in take rates.
Navigating the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program | 6:02
How the changes to the program could affect quality of experience and building future-proofed networks, as well as the non-deployment funds.
Middle mile fiber networks | 8:37
The benefits of electric cooperatives partnering to create statewide networks to serve others outside of their service territories.
Electric cooperative/Investor-owned utility partnerships |10:14
Matheson discusses how its electric cooperative members have at times partnered with larger investor-owned utilities to share best practices and resources.
Final thoughts/Closing | 11:36
How NRECA will advocate to enable its members to deliver high-quality broadband services in rural markets.
Meet our guest
Jim Matheson is CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. NRECA members provide service to 42 million people in 48 states. Jim joined NRECA in July 2016 following distinguished careers in both the public and private sectors. Before joining NRECA, Jim served as Principal, Public Policy Practice, at the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs, based in Washington, D.C. From 2001 to 2015, Jim served as a United States Representative from Utah for seven terms. During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Jim was known for working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He served as Chief Deputy Whip for the House Democratic Caucus and co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition. He served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science committees. Prior to entering government service, Jim worked in the energy industry for several years. Jim was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University, and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from UCLA. Jim's wife, Amy, is a pediatrician, and they have two sons, William and Harris.
About the Podcast
In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.
About the Author
Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategy of Lightwave across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products.
