Michael Powell Speaks at The Media Institute
Earlier this week, NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell participated in a virtual Q&A at The Media Institute on the state of the cable industry, the future of gigabit networks, net neutrality, rural broadband, and more. Check out some of the highlights below: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, an unprecedented number of people quickly transitioned their work, school and personal lives to be entirely online. Thanks to the decades of investment and thoughtful network planning, America’s broadband networks were a success story. With the influx of federal infrastructure dollars, the U.S. has an
How Cox's Public-Private Partnership in Nevada Helped Connect 100% of Its Students
Looking Back in Order to Move Forward 2020 will long be remembered as the year of distance learning, when schools all over the country closed their doors and pivoted online as the COVID-19 pandemic came to stay. Cable internet service providers (ISPs) got to work quickly and joined with school districts, community organizations, local governments, and businesses to identify unconnected families with school-aged students and to install internet in their homes so that kids could attend school virtually from home. But the ongoing pandemic has shown that broadband connectivity will always be a
Leaders in Sustainable TV Production
Today the world celebrates Earth Day, but more importantly, people around the globe come together to bring important environmental issues to the forefront and to advocate for more sustainable practices in how people live and work. The cable industry collectively takes great measures to ensure that its businesses minimize their carbon footprints and utilize energy efficient methods in their operations. Just like cable broadband providers, TV networks have their own divisions that focus on finding ways to lessen the impact their productions, operations, and facilities have on the environment and
Broadband Stats: Saving Energy to Help the Environment
Friday is Earth Day, and amid a global conversation about curbing climate change, this week is as good a time as any to reflect on the ways industry standards can play a role in helping our planet. For several years, the cable industry, alongside technology partners, has taken steps to improve the energy efficiency of set-top boxes and small network equipment in order to reduce the energy used and thus the cost to the consumer. Via important voluntary agreements adopted by the cable industry (NCTA and CableLabs) and Consumer Technology Association (CTA), there is a strong commitment to energy
The Cable Industry's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
As Earth Day approaches, and with climate change being a major issue the world is grappling with, there is no better time to look at the steps being taken to make positive changes and to encourage better ways to conserve energy and to protect the environment. Cable internet service providers (ISPs), which aim to connect as many Americans as possible, have become more focused on sustainability and energy efficiency throughout their business practices in recent years. From deploying more energy efficient technology and equipment for the home to creating energy efficient specifications to testing
Cable TV Networks Are Building for a More Inclusive Workplace
Diversity Month continues throughout the month of April, and as previously explained, diversity is one of the main pillars of the cable industry. Cable TV networks pride themselves on lifting the voices of people of color, women, and underrepresented populations on the screen and off, and on building the next generation of diverse content creators. Industry-wide initiatives aim to encourage and fund professional development programs and pipelines for women and men of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, and cultures and to foster a more inclusive America. And on their own, cable
Broadband Prices Decreasing Versus Other Goods Despite Wider Inflation Pressures
With the nation’s latest inflation numbers released today, Americans again got a glimpse of pricing pressures that are still plaguing the economy. Consumer demand and continuing supply chain challenges brought on by the pandemic are resulting in rising prices for things such as used cars, fuel and food. But amidst such dark clouds, the market for broadband services remains a bright spot. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index in March makes clear, broadband prices are fortunately not mirroring the radical price jumps in other sectors. Put simply, while much of the economy has
Diversity and Inclusion: A Cornerstone of the Cable Industry
April is Celebrate Diversity Month, and while the cable industry embraces and pursues diversity within its business and workforce all year long, this month is a good time to reflect on the diversity and inclusion efforts throughout the internet and television world, and how diversity and inclusion continue to serve as a cornerstone for the industry. For decades, the cable industry has committed towards diversifying its workforce and taking a stance for a more inclusive world. The industry has also prided itself on celebrating diversity in all facets of its business, throughout its workforce
Americans Give Their Home Internet Service High Marks
A robust internet connection has become indispensable in our lives. During the COVID pandemic, America’s broadband networks performed resiliently even during historic surges in internet traffic when many companies and schools went entirely remote, according to performance tests and reports. But besides powering our digital lives, it’s important to ensure that broadband is meeting consumer expectations and evolving in the right direction. Fortunately, recent consumer polling demonstrates that the majority of Americans are highly satisfied with their internet service, according to a survey
Broadband During and Beyond the Pandemic
As the United States and the rest of the world reach the two-year mark when the COVID pandemic was declared, it's important to reflect on the enormous changes that have followed. The global health crisis has been devastating and as America attempts its climb back to "normalcy," some things will never be the same again. But amid many of the tragedies that have occurred, there are also silver linings. Critical issues that may have once been overlooked have been brought to the forefront. One of those issues is the importance of a high-speed broadband connection. Beginning in March 2020, millions