Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008 - (Page 3)

up front with USTelecom Leadership Digital Democracy In less than a year, a new President will take the oath of office. And this primary season has turned out to be one of the most contested in decades. Americans are vigorously participating, and it is increasingly apparent that 2008 will go down in history as the year digital democracy truly took hold. Consider how far we’ve come. In 2004, Howard Dean was a renegade for heavily relying on online campaigning. In 2008, Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy with an email. In 2004, YouTube didn’t exist. In 2008, it’s holding presidential debates with CNN. Candidates are aggressively using the Internet to communicate directly with voters and to energize and expand their base of support. It’s no surprise young voters have proven most receptive. The “millennials” turn to cell phones and social networks for most other aspects of their lives. Why not politics? Prematurely written off as apathetic, this new generation of voters may now have a gamechanging impact on who next takes up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We focus often in Communications Crossroads on the many ways broadband advances the U.S. economy and quality of life—from health care and education to the environment and jobs. It’s time we add digital democracy to the list. Across diverse political views, broadband is reinvigorating participation in our democracy. American politics will never be the same, and our nation will be stronger for it. Walter B. McCormick Jr., USTelecom CEO Next-Gen Leadership This past year, 2007, marked a big milestone for me—30 years in this industry. Many folks have a great story about how they started out. In my case, the industry chose me. In college, I was pursuing a business degree with a minor in civil engineering. In the summer, I worked on a survey crew for a company called Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph (Mtn. Bell). At summer’s end, the district manager asked if I wanted to go into the engineering training program. I laughed and asked: How many different ways could there be to design the buttons on a telephone? Fortunately, my manager persisted and the rest, as they say, is history. Three decades later, a consistent theme has emerged among USTelecom members. We feel fortunate to lead this vital American industry, and as our own careers mature, we feel it’s time to “pay it forward” and prepare the next generation for leadership. Last month, USTelecom and Cisco brought this member-driven vision to life. We asked our companies to send us their best and brightest for a weeklong immersive leadership development program at the Cisco campus in San Jose, CA. Together, we explored the business, technology, regulatory and other trends that impact our companies’ success. That’s what we do at USTelecom. Diverse industry leaders come together, learn from one another and grow our businesses and advance our industry together. I’m proud to see this tradition pass on to the next generation. As for my anniversary, telecommunications may not be the glamorous world of designer telephone handsets I once envisioned. But it’s proven an opportunity and genuine adventure—one I enjoy sharing with many of you through our work together at USTelecom. Ron B. McCue, USTelecom Chair Spring 2008 COMMUNICATIONS CROSSROADS 3

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008

Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008 Up Front Contents TeleBites Cover Story: IPTV Technology Today: Network Transitioning: It’s Not a Matter of If, but How Business Advantages: Turning Knowledge and Growth into Profit and Success Industry Calendar Advertisers DotCom Index to Advertisers Straight Talk

Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008

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