In the Wild: BCAP Puts on First Broadband Technology Day

As the pursuit to expand broadband access to all corners of the U.S. continues, so does the education and advocacy of the technology. The Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania (BCAP) headed to the state capitol building in Harrisburg to illustrate the history and power of broadband through a series of exhibits and demonstrations at the first-ever Broadband Technology Day.

Seven BCAP members—Service Electric Cablevision, Blue Ridge Communications, Comcast, PCN, SCTE, USIC and Breezeline—set up exhibits at the event to spotlight the different technologies used to build and operate broadband networks. Two exhibits featured fiber splicing demonstrations and other parts of the exhibit detailed the process of connecting broadband in communities across the Keystone State. The latest equipment to operate smart home devices and WiFi were also on display, as well as certification and education programs designed to train new waves of broadband workers.

Members of the Breezeline team demonstrated the work they do.

“Part of developing good public policy is understanding the industry, knowing why certain things are needed and seeing how things work. That’s why we are here today,” BCAP Chairman and Breezeline Director, Government Affairs Fran Bradley said at the event. “Our goal today is to explain what goes into a network, how fiber is spliced, how we design systems, and how we create backups for the backups in case of power failures or natural disasters. Our companies have been working continuously to build out broadband networks in communities that have not been previously served, and we remain dedicated to that goal.”

Cable Labs/SCTE Display.

The Broadband Technology Day was a time to celebrate the investments by BCAP’s members to expand their networks over the past several years. Comcast, for example, has invested $2.7 billion in technology and infrastructure in the state during the last three years. But the growing ire of BEAD was a talking point for some. BCAP noted that Monday signaled 1,050 days since Congress gave its stamp of approval for BEAD, but customers have yet to be served. BCAP President Todd Eachus particularly called out climate change mandates, price controls and labor provisions as “unnecessary and burdensome requirements.”

“In spite of the hurdles before us, BCAP members continue to seek opportunity in the communities they have served for generations. Our members know better than any government official, better than any regulator and bureaucrat, what is takes to build, operate and maintain networks that are safe, resilient and sustainable,” Eachus said. – Noah Ziegler