All Day Digital

Edge computing is the next long-term growth opportunity for rural telecom operators as data storage and processing that supports low latency applications moves into smaller communities. In this episode, two experts at the forefront of the edge computing join CoBank’s Jeff Johnston with insights on how rural operators can reap the benefits of an expanding market. Listen to Jeff’s conversation with Marc Dyman of Kinetic by Windstream and Brian Porter with the Tensor Group.

The metaverse is the next frontier in technology: personalized experience in digitally enhanced physical spaces with augmented and mixed reality. In other words, the world becomes your desktop or your home screen. What does this mean to enterprises, consumers, and communication providers? CoBank’s Jeff Johnston breaks it down with Qualcomm’s Brian Vogelsang, the company’s metaverse product management leader.

Supply chains snags continue just as U.S. communications companies are working to “rip and replace” Chinese-made equipment from their networks. How can small, rural telecom operators compete with the larger national operators to get the equipment they need? CoBank’s Jeff Johnston speaks with David Strauss, senior vice president at Ace Technologies, on effective strategies rural telecom operators can use.

The federal government promised to reimburse U.S. communication companies to “rip and replace” Chinese-made equipment from their networks. But Congress has yet to provide adequate funding, creating an environment of unusually high risk and uncertainty for rural operators. In this episode, CoBank’s Jeff Johnston speaks with Carri Bennett, a communications policy expert with the Rural Wireless Association and partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, and John Nettles, president of Pine Belt Wireless.

Technology in precision agriculture has come a long way over the last several years and improved on-farm efficiency. As the ag economy grapples with ESG demands, labor challenges, and high fertilizer costs, better rural broadband is helping facilitate wide-spread adoption of cost-saving applications like robots, sensors, and artificial intelligence. In this episode, Jeff Johnston speaks with Kenneth Scott Zuckerberg, lead grain and farm supply economist with CoBank. Ken explains the concepts behind precision ag and how it can help the U.S. ag sector address key challenges and improve profitability. (Content note: this podcast was recorded prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has added even more volatility to fertilizer supply chains and prices.)

More and more electric co-ops are entering the broadband business and playing a vital role in bridging the digital divide. But building a broadband service can be complicated and demands a comprehensive approach to planning. In this episode, CoBank’s Jeff Johnston speaks with Marcellus Nixon, vice president, internet services for United Cooperative Services. Marcellus draws on his telecom background with advice about how electric co-ops can avoid pitfalls. 

Private wireless networks have the potential to deliver significant benefits for schools, businesses and other organizations throughout rural America, while helping to bridge the digital divide. In this episode, CoBank’s Jeff Johnston speaks with Tim Courtney, vice president of sales and strategy at Further Enterprise Solutions, to discuss the emerging role of private wireless networks. Listen to their conversation for insights on how the availability of the CBRS band is enabling smaller organizations to build carrier-grade wireless networks at a reasonable cost. 

Investor interest in the communications market is red hot, as consumer demand for high-speed digital services seems unstoppable. The amount of money flowing into the communications industry is unprecedented and cable broadband valuations have never been higher. Consolidation within the industry should continue, as investors and strategic buyers look to quench their insatiable appetite for communication assets. In this episode, CoBank’s Jeff Johnston visits with Steve Soraparu, a communications investment banker and managing director at Stifel. Listen to their conversation for insights on how investors are currently viewing the industry and what prospective sellers need to consider.

The rural broadband landscape should evolve significantly over the next few years, as an unprecedented amount of capital hits the market. In this inaugural episode of All Day Digital, CoBank’s Jeff Johnston visits with Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink Internet. Nextlink has been involved in rural broadband buildouts in six states and Baker shares his perspective on how the industry has evolved and where it’s going.