Communications Crossroads - Summer 2008 - (Page 5)

up front with USTelecom Leadership The Next “Giant Leap” for Mankind One of the most interesting parts of delivering remarks on our constantly evolving industry is the look on people’s faces when they realize what a different industry we are today and the rapidly changing landscape of our business and our nation. I often speak about the critical infrastructure projects our nation has undertaken. After World War II, President Eisenhower began uniting our nation via an interstate highway system. President Kennedy called for putting a man on the moon. But unlike previous milestones and virtually every other nation today, our nation’s broadband infrastructure—the bridges, ports and highways of our modern information economy—are being built not through massive, taxpayer-financed public works projects, but through sensible policies that have unleashed vigorous private investment. In today’s dollars, the cost of the interstate highway system? About $20 billion annually over 25 years. It cost about $10 billion a year to complete the six Apollo missions. Last year alone, private companies invested more than $70 billion in North American communications infrastructure. And, this investment came from nearly 14,000 broadband providers operating in the U.S. today. In a recent Senate hearing on the future of the Internet, lawmakers talked about the importance of broadband and the need to ensure its opportunities reach all Americans. Some argued, as USTelecom does, for a hands-off policy approach that continues to encourage the robust investment and innovation underway today. Others said it’s time to regulate the Internet. What a terrible reversal this would be to all the progress our nation has made in recent years. We must keep our national focus on taking that next “giant leap” for mankind and connecting all Americans to the promise of the broadband future. Walter B. McCormick Jr., USTelecom CEO WWW.WOW With our recent decision to rebrand USTelecom by incorporating “The Broadband Association” in our logo, we embraced a new identity that plainly states who we are and what we do. Of course, it’s one thing to say it. It’s another thing entirely to show it. In that vein, if you haven’t visited the USTelecom website (www.ustelecom.org) lately, I encourage you to take a fresh look. We have completely overhauled the site, transforming it into a multimedia showcase for all things broadband. The site is a meaningful resource to our members and our businesses. You can find a wide array of industry and association news, archived webinars on technical, business and policy issues, as well as other exclusive, members-only benefits. There are policy blogs and vidcasts. It’s worth exploring. Just as powerful as the site’s usefulness is its “wow” factor. Our web presence stands head and shoulders above other industry associations. Its sleek, technologyforward design offers a rich, multimedia experience. The heart of our new home page is a “video wall” featuring interactive images that celebrate broadband’s value in our lives. Recently, for Earth Day, we focused the video wall on green themes, highlighting issues—such as telecommuting—that allow broadband to make a real difference. Another great feature is Broadband Now, our new online news program that uses broadband to cover all that these advanced networks make possible in our modern, connected lives. If we want to build a broadband nation, we must showcase its potential. Just like our companies and our trade association, that’s what our new website now does every day. I hope you like what you see. Ron B. McCue, USTelecom Chair Summer 2008 COMMUNICATIONS CROSSROADS 5 http://www.ustelecom.org

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

Communications Crossroads - Summer 2008 Up Front Contents TeleBites Delivering the Broadband Future Deriving Revenue from Today's Broadband World The Right Way to Operate Data Centers Buyers' Guide Industry Calendar Advertisers DotCom Index to Advertisers Straight Talk

Communications Crossroads - Summer 2008

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