Message from Dave Koren, Executive Director,

OCTA – Ohio’s Broadband and Cable Association

Welcome to January's edition of The OCTA Connection, the monthly newsletter from OCTA – Ohio’s Broadband and Cable Association.

We are happy to bring the latest in broadband news to your inbox each month and hope that you find this newsletter informative and insightful. Read on to see updates from OCTA members, important industry news and announcements from our national partner, NCTA.

Be sure to follow OCTA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also visit our website at www.octa.org.

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Statewide Officeholders Sworn-In for Second Four-Year Terms

As Ohio’s statewide officeholders launch their second terms in office, OCTA extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, Attorney General Dave Yost, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Auditor Keith Faber and Treasurer Robert Sprague. Under their leadership, we are confident Ohio will continue its strong forward momentum, setting the example for other states to follow.

Members of the 135^th General Assembly Take Office; Leadership Teams Announced

OCTA congratulates the 132 members of the 135^th General Assembly as they kick off a new two-year legislative session. We look forward to working with Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima), Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill), members of the legislature and legislative staff to advance public policies that will help all Ohioans become better connected in the digital age.

Ohio Senate Majority Leadership

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima)
Senate President Pro Tempore Kirk Schuring (R-Canton)
Senate Majority Floor Leader Rob McColley (R-Napoleon)
Senate Majority Whip Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green)

Ohio House Majority Leadership

Speaker of the House Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill)
Speaker Pro Tempore Scott Oelslager (R-Canton)
House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati)
House Asst. Majority Floor Leader Jon Cross (R-Kenton)
House Majority Whip Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon)
House Asst. Majority Whip Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth)

Ohio Senate Minority Leadership

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)
Senate Asst. Minority Leader Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus)
Senate Minority Whip Kent Smith (D-Euclid)
Senate Asst. Minority Whip Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo)

Ohio House Minority Leadership

House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington)
House Asst. Minority Leader Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus)
House Minority Whip Jessica Miranda (D-Cincinnati)
House Asst. Minority Whip Tavia Galonski (D-Akron)

Husted Announces Grant Programs to Support Ohio's Broadband & 5G Workforce

On January 13, Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced $12 million in grant funding to support the implementation of the state's broadband and 5G workforce strategy.

OCTA Executive Director Dave Koren represents the broadband cable industry Ohio's Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership, and he looks forward to working with OCTA members to utilize these resources to build the workforce needed to drive continued broadband access across the state. Read More

Buckeye Broadband

6 Ways to Declutter Your Digital Life for 2023

Great Ways of Giving Back and Paying it Forward in Toledo

Cox Communications

Cox Announces Successful Completion of Mobile Launch in Markets Nationwide

Affordable Internet Improves Lives According to Recent Survey

Charter Communications

Spectrum News Ranked as No. 1 News Network Among Spectrum Audiences in 2022

Comcast

Xfinity Introduces ‘Free This Week’: Unlocks Access to Premium Networks and Streaming Services Every Week of the Year

Xumo Enterprise Unveils Expanded Suite of Solutions for Building, Managing and Monetizing Fast Channels and Services

New FCC Data Confirms Cable Gigabit Speeds Are Deployed Equitably

Before the U.S. can accomplish the important task of connecting all Americans, it is important to understand where broadband already exists in both rural and urban areas. Having accurate data about existing broadband networks will enable billions of federal and state funding and other resources to be dedicated where they are needed most (communities without service).

NCTA's Michael Powell on America's Broadband Mission

"It's going to get pretty chaotic." Those comments from NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell aptly captured the tone of this week's Senate subcommittee hearing about the challenge (and historic opportunity) of connecting every American to robust broadband service.

In addition to testifying in the Senate hearing, Powell shared his insights with NCTA's State Leadership Conference on the cable industry's role in building out robust and resilient networks, what the federal government is getting right with the latest broadband funding plans, and what will be required to tackle the challenges that stand in the way of connecting the unserved. Read More

FCC Report Shows Cable Broadband Delivers More Than Advertised

The FCC recently released the latest Measuring Broadband America (MBA) report gauging the delivery of residential broadband services across the country during September and October of 2021. The MBA program is administered by SamKnows, the world’s foremost authority on broadband performance testing, and the findings are derived from more than ten billion test measurements. Read More

New Survey Shows Americans Are Eager for 10G

Four years ago at CES 2019, the global cable industry announced a bold initiative called 10G, a vision for delivering home internet speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) in the coming years. Since then, the cable broadband industry has made significant advances to achieving that goal and multi-gigabit symmetrical speeds are on the roadmap for later this year.

When queried about the 10G initiative, which in addition to delivering speeds up to 10 Gbps will offer improved security, lower latency, and enhanced capacity, the results were impressive.

Among tech-savvy adults aware of 10G, 94% feel positively about the initiative with 58% citing the increased speeds that 10G will deliver. Read More

Broadband Stats: Gigabit America

With 2023 underway, industry watchers are looking ahead to what the new year might hold. New technologies will be unveiled at CES in Las Vegas this week with more and more smart devices needing broadband. As the cable broadband industry gets closer to the 10G future, it’s a good time to see just how close we are to homes having 10 Gbps. Read More

Broadband & TV Stats: 2022 by the Numbers

2022 was an important year for broadband, from millions being connected via the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to the first deployment of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Cable TV programming also had a big year, with critically acclaimed shows like HBO’s “Succession” leading the pack with Emmy nominations and AMC’s “Better Call Saul” finally ending the story started with “Breaking Bad” years ago. Read More

About OCTA

In 1966 a group of cable pioneers banded together, forming a new association to represent them before the Ohio General Assembly. For more than five decades, OCTA - Ohio's Broadband & Cable Association has built a strong record of success in the legislative and regulatory arenas.

Today, our members look to the OCTA with confidence in its ability to represent the industry before the Ohio legislature, PUCO, Congress, and the Courts.