WWW.WISPA.ORG 3 Welcome to WISPAMERICA Louisville! On behalf of the WISPA Board of Directors and our tremendous staff, it’s so great to have you all here this week. As you may know, WISPAMERICA is the smaller of our two annual conferences. But only in size – not what’s to be gained from obtaining new skills; learning about the most recent regulatory, operational and technical trends; seeing the latest technology; and meeting with your colleagues who share the same important path as you. America is a better, safer, more prosperous country because of WISPs. WISPAMERICA celebrates your ceaseless work to improve our communities. A lot has changed since the last WISPAMERICA in New Orleans. Most notably, both the FCC and the NTIA began acting on congressional directives to ensure broadband is deployed to those who do not have it. Taken together, their work represents a major shift in the way government addresses our nation’s universal service goals. Correspondingly, this new landscape has provided us with the opportunity to re-imagine our advocacy efforts – especially in the states, where the effects of Congress’ programs will be most felt. Our focused and aggressive federal, state and local advocacy will help all WISPs maneuver more ably in this shifting environment. We’re excited about this work, which you’ll hear more about throughout the week here in Louisville. As this plays out, technology continues to evolve. Fixed wireless offerings have never been more accessible, affordable and powerful. And, with greater frequency, fiber infrastructure underpins your networks, too. Not surprisingly, WISPs are rising to the challenge – of choosing the right tool for the job in service of your communities – which will help you seize the opportunities and weather the challenges ahead. The key to all of this is not the technology, whatever that might be. Rather, it’s the ability to remain open and nimble to each new endeavor. We talk a lot about tech-neutrality and how that represents the best manner to ensure all Americans have broadband.That open approach will invite the most solutions and will yield the greatest success in any given context. Period. And because you are that, WISPs will always remain an integral and growing part of America’s communications ecosystem. This is something in which to take great pride and hope. WISPAMERICA Louisville reflects that openness to all solutions. We have it all here. So, please settle in, learn, share your notes and experiences with your brethren WISPs, and have some fun here in the Louisville Slugger, Kentucky Derby, Bourbon Capital of the world! Sincerely, David M. Zumwalt President & CEO Welcome to WISPAMERICA 2023! David M. Zumwalt WISPA President & CEO
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