NCTC Establishes Fully Built Connectivity Exchange Platform

OVERLAND PARK, KS – The National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC), representing more than 700 independent broadband and pay TV providers serving all 50 states and the U.S. territories, today announced the launch of Connectivity Exchange. This fully built and integrated platform is an industry first that allows its member operators to compete for and win bids to provide broadband network services to large-scale commercial customers through a members-only buying and selling platform. In addition, the platform offers automated quote-to-order processes with unified billing and support.

NCTC's Connectivity Exchange will aggregate NCTC members' individual networks — small and large — to create a unified network that has the potential to reach approximately one-third of the buildings in the United States. The organization builds relationships and negotiates master service agreements with national buyers, including carriers, so member companies can focus on what they do best — delivering broadband service.

Annually, NCTC brings together members for The Independent Show (TIS). This year's TIS showcased numerous initiatives, including NCTC's new Connectivity Exchange. Its custom, unified, member-only buying and selling platform simplifies the complex process of winning bids to provide broadband network services to national brands and large-scale RFPs. Due to the size and reach of NCTC's member base, the Connectivity Exchange provides one of the largest networks in the world.

At the core of NCTC's Connectivity Exchange is its strategic partnership with Connectbase, providing best-in-class serviceability and pricing services to participating member companies. NCTC members' nearly 100,000 locations within the Connectbase platform create an aggregate network that is automatically surfaced to prospective wholesale network buyers using the platform. Their technology platform enables NCTC members to streamline their wholesale buying and purchasing.

Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC, said: "We now have an integrated ecommerce platform that brings wholesale buyers and sellers together to make the RFP process for our members more turnkey and easier for doing business. Buyers can find connectivity for hard-to-reach places through a single platform. Plus, all connectivity providers are under the same agreement with consolidated billing, which makes it easier for our members to do business."

Ben Edmond, CEO of Connectbase, said: "By joining Connectivity Exchange, NCTC's member operators can unlock new revenue opportunities by extending broadband network sales efforts to customers and markets they may not have been able to reach previously.”