Broadband subscribers are 46% less likely to leave their current provider if they are satisfied with their services, but 348% more likely to leave the provider if they are dissatisfied, according to a Parks Associates’ study.
Retaining customers and maintaining high customer satisfaction can’t be achieved by only providing high broadband speeds. Customers factor compelling add-on services, reliability and customer support into their level of satisfaction.
In this Webinar you’ll learn how to create end-user stickiness, satisfaction and loyalty with value-added services that generate new revenue streams.
It’s not everyday a rural telecommunications company receives national recognition as America’s most inspiring small business. Sacred Wind Communications, Inc. of Albuquerque, NM received this distinguished honor yesterday when they were announced the winner of the “Shine a Light” program, sponsored by American Express in partnership with NBC Universal.
“Our winning the award is an affirmation of our industry’s value in rural areas”, said John Badal, co-founder and CEO of Sacred Wind Communications, Inc. “Whether a rural telecom carrier or a supplier to such carriers, we bridge the IT divide on a daily basis with little to no fanfare. Sacred Wind’s team of dedicated employees is the main factor in the recognition we’ve received. Their “can do” attitude and their compassion for the many unserved customers in this remote area have transformed a business responsibility into a mission.”
Realizing a need in their area for connection to the rest of the world, Sacred Wind was established to provide basic phone service and high-speed Internet to the unserved on Navajo lands. Since opening in December 2006, Sacred Wind has built a telecommunications network to provide over 6,000 homes access to telephone service for the first time. Their mission to improve technologies for the Navajo Nation has enabled Navajo adults to find jobs and Navajo children access to the same online resources as classmates.
Over 4,000 small businesses were nominated as inspiring companies in the “Shine a Light” program. A judging panel consisting of fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg, entertainer Ellen Degeneres and host of MSNBC’s “Your Business” JJ Ramberg narrowed the selection to three finalists. HAPPYBABY of Brooklyn, NY and Beacon Paint and Hardware of New York, NY joined Sacred Wind in the final round, which opened for public voting on September 24.
“As the winner in the American Express/NBC Universal ‘Shine a Light’ contest, Sacred Wind will receive a cash award of $50,000 and an additional $50,000 in marketing support from American Express”, said John. “Sacred Wind intends to channel half of the cash award to its non-profit’s scholarship fund and will use the remainder of the cash award to complement the marketing assistance that American Express will offer to help achieve its service objectives.”
ANPI congratulates Sacred Wind for their dedication to improve the lives of people in their community by advancing the communications services available to them. We look forward to seeing Sacred Wind featured on MSNBC’s small business show, “Your Business”, on October 25.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, unofficially called the Stimulus Bill, represents the largest single-year appropriations spending by the Federal government since WWII. A portion of the appropriations is intended to kick-start a national build-out of public infrastructure projects that include broadband network facilities.
The bill contains three distinct telecommunications spending programs totaling $7.85 billion with broadband spending comprising the majority of that total. Specifically, the bill calls for a $4.7 billion broadband funding program administered by the Department of Commerce, a $2.5 billion “rural” broadband program funded by the Department of Agriculture, and a one-time appropriation of $650 million for continued funding of the DTV converter box coupon program.
The two major broadband appropriations within the Stimulus Bill fall under “Title I – Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration and Related Agencies” and “Title II – Commerce, Justice, Science and related Agencies”. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are program administrators respectively charged with authorizing funds to be available for grants, loans and loan guarantees.
RUS, NTIA and the FCC have arranged a public meeting to be held on Tuesday, March, 10 in Washington, D.C. The informational meeting will take place at the main NTIA administrative office between the hours of 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM EST. Seating in the auditorium will be on a first-come, first-served basis; however, the meeting will be streamed online with captions, and the archive will be made available on the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development website and NTIA’s website.
The agencies have announced this will be the first of several public meetings on the topic of broadband grants. NTIA announced separately that beginning March 2, it will hold individual and joint meetings with any parties interested in the broadband grants program.
