- CCA’s San Antonio convention brings together regional carriers – an ever-dwindling group
- Consolidation is forcing smaller operators to diversify into things like fiber and fixed wireless access
- Broadband permitting, USF reform and BEAD funding are a few of the policy issues on CCA’s agenda
Convergence isn’t just a buzzword for big wireless carriers. It’s also on the minds of smaller operators that will be convening in San Antonio, Texas, for the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) annual convention this week.
In fact, “pure play” wireless operators are pretty much a thing of the past. T-Mobile – CCA’s largest carrier member – ended years of being a “pure play” wireless carrier when it started making moves to build out its fiber footprint.
It’s easy to see why T-Mobile is upping its fiber game in lieu of what rivals AT&T and Verizon are doing. But smaller carriers? Many of them relied on roaming revenues for their bread and butter and as those revenues went away, they needed to find other sources of revenue.
If they aren’t already adding fiber to their repertoire, they’re probably considering it or making other moves to diversify, such as adding fixed wireless access (FWA) services to offer broadband wirelessly, according to CCA President and CEO Tim Donovan.
With the merger of UScellular into T-Mobile, that leaves CCA’s membership – which includes tower companies and other vendors – with about three dozen carriers. Most of CCA’s operator members are tiny regional carriers with a relatively small footprint. GCI, for example, focuses on Alaska and Carolina West Wireless serves western North Carolina.
“The carriers that are still part of CCA are really focused and mission driven in serving their part of the country and that's really important. The incentives can sometimes be different than if you're a big carrier,” Donovan told Fierce.
One foot in Texas, one in D.C.
Being a Washington, D.C.-based trade association means CCA’s staff will be keeping an eye on what’s happening in the Beltway while they’re hosting the trade show in San Antonio. For example, the House Communications and Technology subcommittee will hold a hearing this week on solutions to expedite broadband permitting.
Besides consolidation and convergence, other issues on the agenda are Universal Service Fund (USF) reform, the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the 2027 FirstNet reauthorization deadline.
But the “convening” aspect of conventions can’t be underestimated. Donovan said the annual convention is a good time to reinvigorate CCA’s efforts so everyone returns to D.C. recharged and ready to keep up the fight.
“The work that we do inside the Beltway is more important than it ever has been,” he said.
For smaller operators struggling to stay afloat, that’s especially true.