Just the other day I was talking about the change in vernacular; 10 or more years ago we used to talk about penetration and take-rates, over the years that has shifted to digital inclusion. So it was interesting to see this article that goes back to the idea of using digital inclusion to garner customers. It’s a reminder of how to encourage providers to participate in digital inclusion efforts.

Multichannel reports…

Bridging the digital divide in small rural communities is still a top priority and one that can help operators drive sales growth even as video customers dwindle, a panel of top small cable CEOs said at The Independent Show’s Opening General Session.

“Providing that local connection, and not just driving the content of those customers, [is critical],” said Buckeye Broadband president and general manager Geoff Shook at the session titled Hot Topics, Cool Leaders. “Owning that relationship from the edge of the end user’s device all the way through the businesses.”

The same article talks about how providers can work with states like Minnesota to get support to build out…

For Schurz Communications, president and CEO Todd Schurz said one solution has been to partner with other providers in building out broadband networks. Schurz is currently working with local governments, using some state grants in Vermont and Minnesota, working with telephone co-ops in Iowa, electric co-ops in Minnesota, and Native American nations in Minnesota and Arizona.