Planning for BEAD funding, cybersecurity, precision ag and tower and power solutions are all expected to be on tap today at the Annual Convention of the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) at the Omni Amelia Island Resort on Amelia Island, FL. “A Fireside Chat with Arpan Sura,” a legal advisor to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, promises insights on policy issues, including BEAD, spectrum and infrastructure. It begins at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Another BEAD-focused show element is a roundtable discussion covering how the funding will be allocated and used at 1:30 p.m.
The $42 billion broadband grant program is a huge topic for members, according to CCA President/CEO Tim Donovan. “We know a lot about the FCC 5G Fund proceeding, a $9 billion program coming out soon to help build out mobile services in rural areas,” he tells Inside Towers in an interview.
BEAD is focused on fixed connectivity and the 5G Fund is focused on mobility.
“If that is coming out before we know where BEAD funds are going to be used for fiber, then you could be forced to spend money in that 5G Fund to build fiber to the tower,” says Donovan. But, if you know where BEAD money is going, “you can really build off the investment and be more strategic in how you’re bidding for the 5G Fund, so that 5G Fund can go a little bit further.”
Donovan explains timing is crucial: “I think as each state goes forward, our members are looking at all ways to participate, in terms of wireless service, yes, fixed wireless, but even opportunities of fiber. If a carrier is already building out fiber to the tower, then are there opportunities to branch off of that and serve other anchor institutions or other locations?”
“Digging Deep: Precision Agriculture and Rural Wireless Connectivity” begins at 1:30 p.m. “The better mobile networks you have to support applications like precision Ag, the more of that functionality that can be pushed to the network,” says Donovan. He cites the ability to use cameras and AI to identify if something in the field is a weed versus a plant. “And figure out whether or not you drop the nutrients or chemical fertilizer” onto them,” he explains. Representatives from the American Farm Bureau Federation, T-Mobile USA (NASDAQ: TMUS) and C Spire are expected to participate.
An example of a non-regulatory panel is a roundtable discussion titled “Tower & Power Creative Solutions” with Hemphill Towers and Sitenna that begins at 10:30. “Temp to Perm” tower deployments, mini-towers, “battery forward” power solutions and infrastructure asset management are topics to be covered.
A roundtable discussion on GenAI will explore tasks that lend themselves to using GenAI options and leave attendees with an idea of how they can begin or deepen their use of the technology. The discussion begins at 2:30 p.m.
Also at 2:30 p.m. is a session called “Reading the Tea Leaves: Cybersecurity Expectations and Regulations.” Experts from UScellular, Telecommunications Law Professionals PLLC and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are slated to participate.
This is the show’s last day. Registration is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’s an exhibit hall networking event from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The show closing reception and beach party is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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