6 THE INCOMPAS SHOW I OCTOBER 24 - 26, 2022 www.bekabusinessmedia.com DAY 1 Y 2 Debate over whether the United States is heading into a recession continues, but whether the country is or is not, one thing is for certain, the world economy has been volatile during the past year. Entrepreneurs, businesses and households are making decisions everyday based on how they view the economic outlook. With that in mind, we asked INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering what members and other companies in the industry can do to insulate themselves from a potential downturn. “We hope the robust job market fends off recession fears,” Pickering said. “And it’s important to note that the broadband infusion from the bipartisan Infrastructure Act will not only benefit the broadband industry but has the potential to open new avenues for innovators to create new companies, more jobs and the industries of the future.” In fact, Pickering said we are at a “pivotal and historic moment” in the nation’s broadband history. “The bipartisan Infrastructure Act has the potential to reshape America’s future,” he said. “Building new, faster, more affordable networks that unleash competition will not only mean more business for our builders, it will lay the foundation for the economy of the future.” As INCOMPAS members know, broadband and communications services are critical for businesses and consumers. With the Infrastructure Act in place, the potential of equalizing rural and urban access may become more of a reality. “However, it is important that our member companies prepare for the macroeconomic dynamics that may affect their businesses,” Pickering cautioned. “Managing costs is important. Member companies are continuing to deploy networks, and they have been planning ahead in preparation for potential headwinds in order to deal with supply chain issues and labor challenges in a tight job market.” “Some industries are cutting unnecessary costs and reevaluating hiring needs, but broadband and internet innovations have created more avenues for work than at any point in histor,.” Pickering said. “It is a balance, yes we have an aging workforce, with many Baby Boomers retiring, but we have Millennials and Generation Z starting multimillion dollar techenabled businesses. So the infusion of public and private financing for faster, better broadband networks and services is a boon for our industry and the economy as a whole.” The INCOMPAS Show reflects this energy. “The excitement about this show and the strong attendance is testament to the many new opportunities for our member companies’ expansion and business growth,” Pickering said. Pickering stressed that competition has to be the guiding principle for this historic era of new network building. “We have to get infrastructure right, and competition is never wrong” Pickering said. “That’s why INCOMPAS launched the BroadLAND campaign – to help cities, small towns and states speed deployment and unlock incentives for competition that lead to more jobs, economic development and investment, faster speeds and permanent affordability solutions.” He explained that wholesale access is a critical piece of new infrastructure builds, saying it’s necessary to make sure monopolies of the past do not return and small businesses have more choices and lower prices that help them grow. Pickering was also excited to see INCOMPAS member companies partnering with state and local officials to streamline and speed broadband deployment schedules. “This is critical because unless we have permits to build, the promise of broadband connectivity and internet for all will simply not become a reality,” he explained. “With the influx of funding from the COVIDrelief legislation, such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Treasury Department’s $10 billion Capital Projects Fund and $43 billion from the Infrastructure Act, it will be more important than ever to remove barriers – including gaining access to public rights-of-way, such as pole attachments, antennas, railroads and highways – to help speed competitive broadband deployment in rural and urban areas. Pickering explained that pro-competition actions, like wholesale and faster permitting have huge impacts on consumers, families and small businesses “As more businesses rely on online applications services, like cloud computing, they need robust, reliable and redundant broadband. Similarly, residential customers need greater connectivity as they work from home, educate their children, and enjoy social media, video gaming and streaming news, entertainment and more,” he added. While Pickering was encouraged more broadband competition would be helping lower prices for families, he did express concern that the “tax all tech” crowd could negate any consumer gains. “New fees and taxes pushed by some federal and local officials would simply impose costs on families that love streaming, gaming, music and other online services. Not to mention SalesForce, Zoom and other online meeting video services that businesses depend on. These new taxes and fees threaten to slow down digital adoption that is incentivizing new network builds,” Pickering warned. “It’s really unfortunate that some policy makers, at home and abroad, are obsessed with taxing streaming and internet innovations,” Pickering said. “These new offerings not only unleash creativity and give voice to more people in more places, they are saving consumers time and money.” He noted the “tax all tech” crowd is “dangerously out of step” with working American families that struggle with grocery bills and higher gas prices. But Pickering is optimistic that smart growth policy and common sense will win the day. “This is America’s broadband moment, and if we get it right we will create competition and opportunities for generations to come. We envision BroadLAND USA, where faster speeds, lower prices and better service deliver a brighter future in every neighborhood, large and small.” p U.S. at ‘Pivotal’ Moment in Broadband History By Bruce Christian
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