Congressman Doug Collins Visits NGN, Discusses Rural Broadband and Distance Learning

NGN recently had the opportunity to discuss a few of our favorite topics: rural broadband, distance learning and the doors that high-speed internet is opening for local communities, with some very special guests.

Representative Doug Collins and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Joel Katz, visited NGN’s Network Operations Center and data center facility at Blue Ridge Mountain EMC in Young Harris, GA. While there, the pair discussed NGN’s network growth with NGN President Paul Belk and Vice President of Market & Member Services Michael Foor. The Congressman expressed his desire to see NGN continue to play a key role in meeting local broadband needs by increasing customer density within NGN’s coverage area. Paul and Michael assured him that NGN is working diligently with its three Members to continue expansion efforts. (Read more about our plans to support projected growth in 2017 here.)

While in the area, the Congressman and his Chief of Staff also visited Young Harris College to hear about the school’s distance learning platform, which is powered by NGN’s fiber backbone and associated with Gov. Nathan Deal’s Move on When Ready program. Young Harris College President Cathy Cox and a number of other college representatives spoke to the value the distance learning program is creating for rural communities. They also noted the high quality of voice and video they are able to provide over the Education Exchange, expressing to Collins that they did not feel their platform would be possible over the open Internet or a copper connection. Quality of service is never a concern for the program thanks to NGN’s reliable, high-capacity fiber infrastructure! (Read this eBook to learn more about NGN’s distance learning solution.)

We are honored that Representative Collins and Mr. Katz chose to visit NGN, and we welcome them back anytime! NGN contributes to the legislative process by discussing and demonstrating the power of broadband to help ensure that it is represented fairly in Congress as the community-changing service that it is. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with all of our political visits and other news!