NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association said it has certified nine small service providers as Gig-Capable Providers under a program announced earlier this year. The goal of that program is to build awareness and industry recognition of community-based providers that have built gigabit networks.
To obtain certification, rural telcos must document that gigabit technology is currently commercially available within 95% of one or more exchanges within their serving territory. They also must show that the service can be provided without new trenching or stringing new aerial facilities.
NTCA Gig-Capable Certification
In a press release about the nine companies, NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield praised the nine small telcos for their accomplishment. “By building a gigabit-capable network, these companies have not only overcome . . . challenges, but also shattered conventional benchmarks for broadband speed to enable cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their communities, regions and nationwide.”
The nine companies that have received certification are:
- NineStar Connect, Indiana
- Wilkes Communications, North Carolina
- Polar Communications, North Dakota
- SkyLine Membership Corporation, North Carolina
- Omnitel Communications, Iowa
- Premier Communications, Iowa
- Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, Kentucky
- West Wisconsin Telecom Cooperative
- Dickey Rural Networks, North Dakota
