Phoenix – September 21, 2021 – CCA’s Annual Convention opened this week with FCC staff leading a Supply Chain Workshop focused on the $1.9 Billion Secure and Trusted Network Act Reimbursement Program, followed by expert analytical presentations and roundtable discussions from OEMs including Mavenir, Nokia, Parallel Wireless, and Rakuten.
This morning, a carrier executive keynote panel featuring Mark Nazé, CEO, Nsight – Cellcom; Jonathan Foxman, president & CEO of Cellular One; Maureen Moore, chief customer experience officer, GCI; and Eric Woody, chief technical & operations officer, Union Wireless addressed the significant challenges for regional and small carriers deploying 5G and how they can improve network efficiency. The panel also explored how COVID increased the nation’s dependency and need for connectivity and the important role they play in enhancing connectivity and services for their customers.
“I am delighted to be back in person for CCA’s Annual Convention as CCA members continue to work to deliver ubiquitous mobile broadband connectivity throughout the nation,” said Steven K. Berry, president and CEO of CCA. “While the past 18 months have been challenging, we have seen first-hand the power of wireless connectivity and what community-based companies can do for their neighbors to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality fixed and mobile wireless services.”
Keynote Program
Attendees heard keynote remarks today from Dow Draper, EVP, emerging products group, T-Mobile, who spoke about the company’s fixed wireless game plan and tapping into the power of 5G to deliver home internet to millions of Americans. Charles Marsh, SVP, US majors accounts, Nokia, discussed 5G connectivity for rural America. Steven K. Berry, president & CEO of CCA held a fireside chat with Mike Keegan, CEO, TNS and discussed robo calling and new technologies with revenue generating potential.
Tomorrow’s keynotes will be live streamed and include Anand Akundi, interim head, customer unit regional carriers, Ericsson North America, with remarks entitled, 5G for Rural Operators: Show Me the Money, followed by Steve Zitnik, EVP, CTO, Interop Technologies and Chris Wright, VP, product management, Syniverse who will deliver remarks, The Truth About RCS Messaging – An Insider’s Look for Operators. Closing the keynote program will be Loris Zaia, VP, major accounts & T2/T3, Mavenir, speaking on the changing economics for rural network deployments by leveraging cloud native ORAN deployment architecture.
The Convention’s exhibit floor hosted a variety of companies showcasing the latest products and services for the mobile industry. The conference program explored business strategies, policy initiatives, funding opportunities for network development, 5G deployments and monetization, cybersecurity, diversity, social justice programs, legacy networks, and digital customer engagement. The exhibit hall will also be open tomorrow from 12:30pm – 5pm, and additional sessions will take place.
About CCA
CCA is the leading association for competitive wireless providers and stakeholders across the United States. Members range from small, rural carriers serving fewer than 5,000 customers to regional and nationwide providers serving millions of customers, as well as vendors and suppliers that provide products and services throughout the wireless communications ecosystem. CCA’s 2022 Mobile Carriers Show will take place April 11-13 in Tampa, Florida and CCA’s 2022 Annual Convention will take place September 27-29 in Portland, Oregon. Visit http://www.ccamobile.org @CCAMobile #CCA2021
