Keynote Panels Examine Ideal Broadband Toolbox for Rural America
Tampa, Florida – April 13, 2022 – This week’s CCA’s 2022 Mobile Carriers Show heard from a host of mobile industry leaders who shared their ideas on the status of 5G, discussed policy issues impacting the industry, and examined solutions to help close the digital divide. The sold-out exhibit floor featured companies showcasing innovative products and services in the telecom industry. CCA’s Mobile Carriers Show takes place April 11-13 in Tampa, Florida.
The FierceWireless Executive Panel, 5G Deployments, Where Are We Now? opened the show, and panelists addressed key issues for carriers: the road map to 5G, OpenRAN, standalone networks, spectrum opportunities for smaller and rural providers, fixed wireless, and broadband mapping.
CCA President and CEO Steven K. Berry welcomed attendees and discussed how competitive carriers are working to bring critical mobile broadband services to areas in need. He highlighted three areas for carriers: spectrum, Universal Service Fund, and network security. He also touched on the work CCA is doing to advance funding tied to reliable coverage maps, expanding middle-mile funding, and adopting a technology-neutral standard for fixed wireless and mobile broadband deployment that supports and expands 5G availability.
“CCA is delighted to bring competitive carriers, systems integrators, and infrastructure providers together to discuss the most important issues facing the competitive mobile industry,” said Berry. “Our keynote panels examined how 5G is rolling out in rural America and steps being taken to close the digital divide. CCA’s educational program featured industry leaders sharing their experiences and insights, and the packed exhibit floor showcased emerging and established companies.”
The two-part keynote panel, Assembling the Ideal Broadband Toolbox for Rural America, moderated by Mike Dano, editorial director, 5G & mobile strategies at Light Reading, focused on network equipment and software and services that are crucial to bringing connectivity and services to rural America.
In Part 1, Network Equipment, featured executives from Inland Cellular, Ericsson North America, Mavenir, and Nokia Americas who discussed network equipment needed to bring broadband to rural areas. They discussed Open RAN, new developments in backhaul, and the suitability of fixed wireless to meet government coverage requirements. They also explored the rollout of SpaceX Starlink and its impact on rural broadband.
In Part 2, Software and Service, executives from Cellcom, GCI, Interop Technologies, and Syniverse discussed private wireless networking, advances in precision agriculture, edge computing, the “software-ization” of mobile networks, the status of rip and replace on customer security, and the impact of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft’s entry into core wireless networking services.
The educational program featured sessions focused on access to spectrum, 5G and 6G technologies, cybersecurity, the impact of cloud native technologies, eSIM market adoption and monetization opportunities, customer loyalty and engagement, the impact of cloud native technologies, and best practices for serving the B2B marketplace.
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 Annual Convention will take place September 27-29 in Portland, Oregon.
