Each year, the Oregon Connections Telecommunications Conference brings together dedicated individuals and organizations committed to advancing broadband development in the state of Oregon. This event provides a platform for discussing successes, addressing challenges, and building collaborative solutions to promote equitable access to telecommunications services. Among the conference's highlights are the Oregon Connections Awards, which celebrate and honor projects, organizations, and individuals making remarkable contributions to broadband in the state.
Beacon Broadband is honored to receive this year’s "Excellence in Telecommunications Project and Regional/Local Strategies" award. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an organization that has developed an innovative project or strategy to improve access, reliability, and affordability of telecommunications services for communities or has promoted and accelerated the adoption and utilization of these services.
“The Beacon Broadband team is doing excellent work,” said Paul Recanzone, Beacon Broadband’s General Manager. “It is exciting to have the team’s efforts recognized by Representative Boice, who nominated us for the award, and by the body of our peers in the industry who selected us.”
Oregon State Representative Court Boice, who represents House District One along the Oregon south coast, nominated Beacon Broadband for this remarkable achievement. He emphasized the tireless dedication and exceptional teamwork of the Beacon Broadband staff in their mission to bring high-speed fiber connectivity to underserved and unserved areas.
In his nomination Representative Boice states, “I am proud of their (Beacon Broadband) efforts and excitement about the impact they will have throughout my House District”.
Coos and Curry Counties in Oregon's south coast region have historically faced a digital divide, with limited access to reliable broadband services. Beacon Broadband emerged as a beacon of hope, thanks to the initiative taken by Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, which recognized the need to bridge this digital divide. The cooperative established Beacon Broadband as its wholly owned broadband subsidiary, with a mission to provide fiber connectivity to every member address and thousands of nearby unserved and underserved addresses.
Beacon Broadband's extensive fiber network will serve all of Curry County and most of unincorporated Coos County, representing a truly regional solution to the broadband access challenge. Their dedication to "bring the high-speed fiber experience where no one else will go" is making a tangible difference in the lives of south coast residents.
Beyond delivering high-speed fiber, Beacon Broadband is making a positive impact in several unique ways:
- Connected Senior Program: Beacon Broadband's "Connected Senior" program pairs high school students with senior citizens to help the elderly understand the benefits of broadband, fostering family connections and access to vital services.
- Computer Science Education: Beacon Broadband is leading a computer science class at Brookings-Harbor High School, opening doors to technology careers for local students.
- Local Workforce Development: Beacon Broadband collaborates with local vendors and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to train local workers, creating opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills and contribute to expanding broadband infrastructure across Oregon and the nation.
Beacon Broadband's commitment to the community, innovative strategies, and dedication to eliminating the digital divide have earned them the "Excellence in Telecommunications Project and Regional/Local Strategies" award at the Oregon Telecommunications Conference. This honor reflects the outstanding impact they are having on their region.
Beacon Broadband and its team are grateful for this recognition and remain steadfast in their mission to provide accessible, reliable, and affordable telecommunications services to communities across Oregon.