PR Vibes: NTCA Wireless Symposium 2010
By Laura Borgstede | January 26, 2010
January 13 – 15, 2010
The Westin Riverwalk
San Antonio, Texas
Attendees: 250
Exhibitors: 24
Media and Analysts: 2
Calysto Overview
Tradeshows in January? Undoubtedly, the one that first comes to mind is the mammoth CES in Las Vegas. However, down in San Antonio there was another event kicking off the 2010 tradeshow circuit: the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s (NTCA) annual Wireless Symposium. Granted, what came out of CES — “3D TV is coming to a living room near you!!!,” bendy eReaders and blinged-out cellphone cases — generated more buzz. Nevertheless, bringing wireless to rural communities throughout the United States is what will likely have the most impact long term.
NTCA’s Wireless Symposium is geared to the rural ILECs who are currently providing, or are looking to provide, wireless as another service to their subscribers. Last year’s discussion at the Wireless Symposium centered on the 700 MHz spectrum auctions. A year later, the next chapter is playing out and once again, the NTCA did a good job serving up relevant content. According to the NTCA, this year’s discussions centered on several issues.
Data roaming garnered a great deal of attention, since obtaining agreements with the large carriers can be a struggle for this audience. LTE and WiMAX was also a big topic, including the pros and cons of each, which one will prevail, build out requirements, and the many questions still to be resolved. Spectrum availability in rural markets included the limited capacity and the potential impact on participation in mobile services, especially mobile data, going forward. There was also discussion about bringing a wireless business into a landline culture and how to successfully have both under one company. Another big topic was handset exclusivity agreements and the obstacles that they pose to ILECs.
This year’s Wireless Symposium attracted an audience of approximately 250 representatives from management and technical fields in the rural telecommunications industry. According to the NTCA, the demographic breakdown of this year’s event was 15 percent customer service/business development; 10 percent sales/marketing; 35 percent technical and 40 percent executives.
After ten years as the Technology Showcase, the exhibition part of the event is now the WiExpo, reflecting the emphasis on wireless. WiExpo was a sellout, albeit a modest one, with 24 exhibitors, and from all reports was busy, with good traffic.
There were no announcements coming from this show and media participation was minimal. NTCA’s annual Wireless Symposium is more a venue for education and discussions.
Networking opportunities with telephone company operators, consultants, legal, engineering firms and suppliers were excellent, according to Lynn Groen, national sales representatives, Mid America Computer Corporation. “As a provider of products and services, I was able to make new contacts and visit with existing customers. I found that the NTCA Wireless Symposium was a great meeting. It was put on very well, the accommodations were fantastic, and the staff is excellent to work with!”
This remains a solid show for the rural market. Next year’s event is scheduled for January 12-14, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, GA.
Articles of Interest
Govt Announces Second Round of Broadband Funding
New Edge
By Jesse Ward
Monday, January 18, 2010
http://www.ntca.org/new-edge/data/govt-announces-second-round-of-broadband-funding
Live from WS10- Roaming Hubs
New Edge
By Kevin McGuire
January 14, 2010
http://www.ntca.org/new-edge/wireless/live-from-ws10-roaming-hubs
The Westin Riverwalk
San Antonio, Texas
Attendees: 250
Exhibitors: 24
Media and Analysts: 2
Calysto Overview
Tradeshows in January? Undoubtedly, the one that first comes to mind is the mammoth CES in Las Vegas. However, down in San Antonio there was another event kicking off the 2010 tradeshow circuit: the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s (NTCA) annual Wireless Symposium. Granted, what came out of CES — “3D TV is coming to a living room near you!!!,” bendy eReaders and blinged-out cellphone cases — generated more buzz. Nevertheless, bringing wireless to rural communities throughout the United States is what will likely have the most impact long term.
NTCA’s Wireless Symposium is geared to the rural ILECs who are currently providing, or are looking to provide, wireless as another service to their subscribers. Last year’s discussion at the Wireless Symposium centered on the 700 MHz spectrum auctions. A year later, the next chapter is playing out and once again, the NTCA did a good job serving up relevant content. According to the NTCA, this year’s discussions centered on several issues.
Data roaming garnered a great deal of attention, since obtaining agreements with the large carriers can be a struggle for this audience. LTE and WiMAX was also a big topic, including the pros and cons of each, which one will prevail, build out requirements, and the many questions still to be resolved. Spectrum availability in rural markets included the limited capacity and the potential impact on participation in mobile services, especially mobile data, going forward. There was also discussion about bringing a wireless business into a landline culture and how to successfully have both under one company. Another big topic was handset exclusivity agreements and the obstacles that they pose to ILECs.
This year’s Wireless Symposium attracted an audience of approximately 250 representatives from management and technical fields in the rural telecommunications industry. According to the NTCA, the demographic breakdown of this year’s event was 15 percent customer service/business development; 10 percent sales/marketing; 35 percent technical and 40 percent executives.
After ten years as the Technology Showcase, the exhibition part of the event is now the WiExpo, reflecting the emphasis on wireless. WiExpo was a sellout, albeit a modest one, with 24 exhibitors, and from all reports was busy, with good traffic.
There were no announcements coming from this show and media participation was minimal. NTCA’s annual Wireless Symposium is more a venue for education and discussions.
Networking opportunities with telephone company operators, consultants, legal, engineering firms and suppliers were excellent, according to Lynn Groen, national sales representatives, Mid America Computer Corporation. “As a provider of products and services, I was able to make new contacts and visit with existing customers. I found that the NTCA Wireless Symposium was a great meeting. It was put on very well, the accommodations were fantastic, and the staff is excellent to work with!”
This remains a solid show for the rural market. Next year’s event is scheduled for January 12-14, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, GA.
Articles of Interest
Govt Announces Second Round of Broadband Funding
New Edge
By Jesse Ward
Monday, January 18, 2010
http://www.ntca.org/new-edge/data/govt-announces-second-round-of-broadband-funding
Live from WS10- Roaming Hubs
New Edge
By Kevin McGuire
January 14, 2010
http://www.ntca.org/new-edge/wireless/live-from-ws10-roaming-hubs
