• Stephen V. Smith

  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Asking the Governor to Veto a Rural Broadband Bill

    What You’ll Learn Jeff Arnold, Executive Director of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives, discusses the grassroots efforts it took to persuade the Louisiana governor to veto a bill that would have likely limited broadband access to Louisiana’s underserved citizens. Guest Speaker Jeff Arnold Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Broadband Access & the Homework Gap

    What You’ll Learn Mike Romano, Senior VP of Industry Affairs and Business Development for NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, discusses two distinctive broadband access problems and a five-step plan that could help solve the homework gap schools and students will likely face again this fall. Guest Speaker Mike Romano Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Investing CARES Act Money in Broadband

    What You’ll Learn Fred Johnson, CEO and Executive Vice President of FTC, has been appointed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to the state’s Broadband Working Group. This group is tasked with providing input on how to use federal CARES Act money to increase broadband coverage across the state. Guest Speaker Fred Johnson Show Notes Transcripts […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Electric Co-ops Serving Broadband to Rural Mississippi

    What You’ll Learn Commissioner Brandon Presley of the Mississippi Public Service Commission discusses the events that took place within the state government for electric co-ops to be legally allowed to provide broadband services to their customers. Guest Speaker Commissioner Brandon Presley Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen Smith: And […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    A Pandemic Highlights Two Rural Americas

    What You’ll Learn Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for broadband infrastructure across Rural America. Guest Speaker Shirley Bloomfield Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen Smith: Hello, I’m Stephen Smith. Welcome to our first episode of our new […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Is the End of Robocalls Near?

    What You’ll Learn Robocalling is a huge issue for all of us and continues to be the number-one complaint to the FCC and FTC. More than half the calls to all mobile phones in the US in 2019 will be robocalls. STIR-SHAKEN is a framework developed by the ATIS/SIP Forum NNI Task Force to reduce […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    An Overview of RUS Broadband Funding Programs

    What You’ll Learn Shawn Arner is the USDA RUS Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Loan Origination and Approval Division. He spoke from the conference main stage about the many funding programs available through the Rural Utilities Service. To learn more, contact Shawn at shawn.arner@usda.gov. Guest Speaker Shawn Arner
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Options for Funding Broadband Expansion

    What You’ll Learn Federal and state grant programs are providing another source of funding for many to expand their broadband buildout. Whether an outright grant, a low-interest loan, or funding through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunities Fund, there are several programs that can help fund your broadband project. Each program has detailed application requirements, but […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Boost Business with Diversified Services

    What You’ll Learn How can we diversify services to create market resilience, reduce churn, and increase revenue? What innovative methods can we use to add to the value we provide to customers? To explore these and other questions, NeoNova conducted an industry survey and hosted a small-group discussion workshop at the 2019 NTCA Technology & […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Anatomy Of A Buyout

    What You’ll Learn Murfreesboro Electric Department recently faced what many utilities would consider their worst fear: a buyout attempt from a larger utility. After successfully defeating the attempt, Steve Sax, general manger, talks about the experience. Website: www.murfreesboroelectric.com Guest Speaker Steve Sax
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Communicating Through The Customer Bill

    What You’ll Learn How does the Central Service Association benefit its utility customers, and what new innovations are utilities taking advantage of? Cindy Stoker of CSA sits down with Stephen Smith to discuss her company and the services it offers. Website: www.csa1.com Guest Speaker Cindy Stoker
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Super-Humanize Your Products

    What You’ll Learn In order for people to respond to your products, sometimes those products need a human element. Maybe even a super-human element. In this episode, Mcxie Hurst, marketing manager of Peoples Telephone Cooperative in Quitman, Texas, talks about how their “Super Steve” promotion took their broadband offerings to new heights. Website: www.peoplescom.net Guest […]
    Author Avatar
    Stephen V. Smith
    May 1, 2026