Podcasts
On this episode, we discuss strategy and the mission to win hearts and minds on behalf of rural broadband
Charles Thomas, the Chief Strategy Officer for Rural Broadband Partners (RBP), says he tells ISPs in rural areas not to view themselves as rural providers.
Instead, he asks them to look at urban providers and to examine the resources those entities have. “You want to build that into your location,” he says.
According to Thomas, who will be speaking at Connected America next month, that might mean employing IoT technologies or entering into public/private partnerships.
While the battle to win hearts and minds for rural broadband continues, Thomas says rural providers often face a shortage of resources.
He elaborated, saying it could be a shortage of financial resources, equipment resources, people resources, or knowledge resources that is holding some rural ISPs back.
Thomas said helping ISPs to retain people resources in rural areas is probably the largest obstacle he faces.
“It’s a big challenge,” he said, adding it’s important to create an environment of continued learning.
He also said it’s important to have workers that are excited about the role they’re play in connecting communities.
“It really is life changing for people,” he said. “When people see that, it’s exciting for them.”
Meanwhile, Thomas said rural ISPs also have to maintain a mindset of growth for the future.
To hear the full Beyond the Cable episode featuring Thomas on Spotify, click here.
Click here to listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts.
