JSI clients could scarcely be blamed for laboring under a severe sense of unease and distress as 2009 turns toward spring. The nation's financial crisis and economic recession continue to hinder all enterprise, with the light of hope still far from the end of the tunnel. Amid the turmoil, the Obama Administration and new Congress are settling in. With the change-over in power comes a drastically different philosophy about appropriate policies and regulation both for independent carriers serving rural America as well as the burgeoning telecom and broadband arena as a whole.
Already, community based providers are getting in line and jostling with the telecom, wireless, and cable giants in the effort to secure a share of the $7.2 billion set aside for broadband development in the economic reconstruction stimulus package. Meantime, we await new regulators and administrators who will not only run these funding programs but also exercise authority over issues of such longstanding concern as universal service, intercarrier compensation and access reform, the interplay between competition and common-carriage obligations, and the continuing convergence of voice, data, and video services and networks. Given all this, it would only be surprising if you didn't have a laundry list of questions about what it all means to your company.
Dealing with critical issues - i.e., intercarrier compensation reform, the emerging broadband grant program, the USAC audits, succeeding in tough times - has always been the meat-and-potatoes of the JSI Management Seminar. We focus our educational planning around the idea that clients can expect the action to intensify quickly and the resulting developments will significantly affect your financial prospects and operational harmony. As you look for answers, remember the Management Seminars represent one of your most consistent resources. Our staff experts can break down the issues and provide the analysis you need to make informed decisions. Plan to join us for one of the three scheduled sessions and prepare for your company's future:
April 16-17, San Antonio
April 30-May 1, Minneapolis
May 14-15, Atlanta
For more information, and to register online, click here. For additional details on program content, contact Chris Lehner (clehner@jsitel.com); and for information on registration or hotel reservations, contact Leah Yoakum (lyoakum@jsitel.com). Both can be reached in JSI's Maryland office, at 301-459-7590.
