Koester one of five honored for contributions to connect communities
MATTOON, Ill. – Oct. 24, 2019 – Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider, is pleased to announce Rob Koester, vice president of consumer product management, was named a 2019 Broadband Hero by USTelecom. Koester is one of five individuals across the nation to receive the award, which honors broadband providers, their partners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and individuals who are making extraordinary contributions toward the deployment of life enhancing broadband infrastructure to all corners of the country. USTelecom presented Koester with the award at its 2019 Broadband Investment Forum today in Washington D.C. This is the inaugural year for the award.
“I have the good fortune to work with 3,600 Consolidated Communications employees who deserve a share of this award,” said Koester when accepting the award. “They work tirelessly to find creative ways to expand and implement sustainable broadband solutions in rural environments. At Consolidated Communications, we are committed to bringing better broadband Internet services to rural communities across the country,” he added.
USTelecom is a national trade association that represents broadband businesses. The 2019 Broadband Investment Forum brought together national policy makers, business leaders and analysts to assess the opportunities and challenges of connecting communities through continued investment in broadband infrastructure and innovation.
Koester joined Consolidated Communications in 1999 and has played a critical role in the company’s Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II Program, which is currently 95 percent built out. When the program ends in 2020, Consolidated will deliver broadband services to nearly 125,000 eligible, underserved locations from Maine to Washington state and from Minnesota to Texas. Koester was part of a team that worked with officials to forge public-private partnerships in multiple states that provided expanded or upgraded broadband access.
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is a leading broadband and business communications provider serving consumers, businesses, and wireless and wireline carriers across rural and metro communities and a 23-state service area. Leveraging an advanced fiber network spanning 37,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated Communications offers a wide range of communications solutions, including: high-speed Internet, data, phone, security, managed services, cloud services and wholesale, carrier solutions. From our first connection 125 years ago, Consolidated is dedicated to turning technology into solutions, connecting people and enriching how they work and live. Visit www.consolidated.com for more information.
About USTelecom
USTelecom is the national trade association representing technology providers, innovators, suppliers, and manufacturers committed to connecting the world through the power of broadband. Visit www.ustelecom.org for more information.