The Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) closed its 2019 Annual Convention yesterday in Providence, RI with a flurry of activity and a contented host.
“CCA’s 2019 Annual Convention has certainly been a successful event,” CCA President/CEO Steve Berry told Inside Towers. “With two FCC Commissioners, a number of outstanding educational sessions, and a lively exhibit hall, we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from attendees.
I’m very pleased with the quality of presentations and discussions here in Providence and am already looking forward to our next show in Dallas, March 30-April 1,” he said.
One of the closing day events was the Annual Achievement Awards honoring individuals and companies for their contributions to the industry and the community in the following categories: Outstanding Achievement, Outstanding Service, Industry Innovation, and the Neko Hamlett Associate Member of the Year.
“These outstanding individuals and companies have generously given their time and resources to improve the customer experience, provide services to the community, and advocate for carriers across the country,” Berry said.
CCA’s 2019 Annual Achievement Award winners include:
Outstanding Achievement Award
Douglas Minster, ATN International – With more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Doug is a tireless advocate for small, regional, and rural carriers. Over the past two years, he has worked tirelessly to advocate for aid to the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist in its ongoing recovery from two devastating Category 5 hurricanes.
Neko Hamlett Associate Member of the Year Award
Beverly Ibarrola, Award Solutions – Beverly’s commitment to CCA is second to none and she remains dedicated to helping CCA put on top-notch events. She recently led the way to create CCA’s partnership with Award Solutions for the 5G Certification Program. CCA’s mission is threefold: advocacy, networking, and education, and Beverly has shown her commitment to helping CCA accomplish all three.
Outstanding Service Award (Carrier) – Two Winners
GCI – With a suicide rate more than twice the national average, prevention efforts are among the top priorities for communities throughout Alaska. To bolster those efforts, GCI pledged $100,000 in 2019 to fund the third year of the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund. Since 2017, the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund has provided $330,000 in grants to Alaska non-profits.
NTUA Wireless, LLC (NTUAW) – Last summer the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission requested that NTUAW provide broadband access to voting polls in the San Juan County, Utah. Records did not accurately reflect Navajo voter registrations and the lack of broadband access at voter registration events made it impossible for Navajo voters to register. The NTUAW customer care team installed free broadband and WiFi at each voter registration event and technicians were onsite to provide support. For the first time in history, Navajos, who hold a majority of the population in the county, were elected to a majority of the governing body seats in the county.
Outstanding Service Award (Associate)
Ericsson – The Ericsson-Girl Scouts Alliance is focused on increasing gender diversity in the U.S. workforce and closing the gender gap in STEM. The Alliance is helping the Girl Scouts achieve its STEM pledge to put 2.5 million girls in hands-on STEM programs by 2025. Ericsson installed fiber throughout the new Girl Scouts of North East Texas STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars in South Dallas, a 90+-acre living laboratory where STEM experiences are hands-on, immersive, and intensive. Additional Alliance activities include job-shadowing days, networking experiences, the Ericsson Technology Camp, and field trips to the Ericsson Center of Excellence.
Industry Innovation Award
Parallel Wireless – Parallel Wireless leads with the world’s first ALL G Open RAN solution by supporting all Gs under the same software umbrella.
September 19, 2019
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