Telecom construction impacts future of U.S.

When it comes to the evolution of telecommunications construction in the U.S., it’s amazing to see how much of an impact the industry has had on the nation’s technological advancement. Telecom construction has been an important part of furthering emerging technologies. It has shifted and rolled with sweeping changes over the decades. It continues to help shape the future of connectivity, security, and innovation in the U.S. 

Read More...

National OnDemand supports Second Harvest Food Bank with food drive 

National OnDemand donated 1,200 pounds of non-perishable food during a food drive it held in support of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C. Employees at National’s corporate office made donations from March 18 through April 5 to continue the Second Harvest’s mission of securing food to create more healthy communities.

Read More...

Aerial Lineman: Masters and Guardians of Telecommunications and the Grid – Part II

The advancement of technology in the utility and telecommunications industries continually presents new challenges and opportunities. Aerial linemen with up-to-date skills and knowledge in areas such as fiber optics, smart grids, and renewable energy systems may be particularly sought after.

Read More...

Rural Fiber Construction: 3 Aspects for Innovative Connectivity

Rural Fiber Optic Construction plays a crucial role in bringing high-speed internet connectivity to underserved and remote areas. National OnDemand collaborates with utility companies, electric cooperatives and Internet Service Providers to deploy fiber broadband networks across rural America. These efforts aim to bridge the  Digital Divide  by providing reliable internet access to every rural home and business.

Read More...

National OnDemand partners with Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed the hungry 

BURLINGTON, N.C. – A team from National OnDemand teamed up with the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army to participate in its monthly The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Day on Thursday, Feb. 15.

This was the first volunteering opportunity of 2024 offered by National’s Corporate Engagement Committee, which encourages giving back in the Alamance County area.

Read More...

Planning for a ‘Broadband Breakthrough,’ Rural Illinois Counties Prepare

When Peggy Braffet and her husband opened their pick-your-own blueberry orchard in 1995 in the rural village of Carlock, Illinois, access to high-speed internet wasn’t a concern — it didn’t even exist.

Now it’s top of mind. 

When guests show up to the Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard, which also has strawberry plants and apple trees now, they sometimes expect to be able to pay with credit cards. The Braffets’ slow internet connection won’t allow it.

Read More...

How Much Money Can Broadband Bring a Rural Community? By Some Estimates, Millions.

As the federal government distributes $42.5 billion to expand broadband internet access across America and its territories, some local leaders are asking themselves: How much economic impact could faster internet create?

The true dollar figure would be spread across the economy, from agriculture and small businesses to harder-to-track impacts like an increased willingness for families to relocate to rural areas.

Read More...

Aerial Lineman: Masters and Guardians of Telecommunications and the Grid – Part I

When you first hear the term “aerial lineman,” it is easy to only think about those people who scale power poles and are dealing directly with electricity. However, it is important to point out that the telecommunications aerial lineman, plays a vital role in keeping the United States connected.

Both these types of lineman scale heights and defy gravity to install, repair and maintain overhead utilities. This blog will provide an in-depth exploration of the world of both of these types of aerial lineman, as we shed light on what they do, how they are trained, what challenges they face and why this profession holds immense value as a rewarding career path.

Read More...

Evers, Baldwin announce $140 million in federal money to be used for expanding internet access

Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced the U.S. Department of Treasury approved the use of $140 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to increase internet access and affordability across the state. 

The money, announced Thursday, will be used to fund two new grant programs. Expanding internet access has been a key initiative of Evers’ administration, with many rural parts of the state lacking access to high speed internet. Since 2019, state programs have brought or expanded internet to 395,000 homes and businesses. 

Read More...

Telecommunications Technician: Officially Recognized by Dept. of Labor

The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) announced that it received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to designate Telecommunications Technician as its own job category in the FOA’s July newsletter. This designation will take effect in early September.

Previously, communications workers – including National OnDemand fiber-optic installers and techs – have been grouped along with electrical line workers in BLS statistics.

Read More...

Every state is about to dole out federal funding for broadband internet – not every state is ready for the task

When the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed in late 2021, it included US$42.5 billion for broadband internet access as part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The program aims to ensure that broadband access is available throughout the country. This effort differs from previous federal broadband programs because it promised to allocate the funding to individual states and allow them to figure out the best way to distribute it.

Read More...

National OnDemand set to deliver free livestream of Burlington, N.C. Christmas Parade

BURLINGTON, N.C. – National OnDemand announced today that it plans to offer a free online stream of the annual Burlington, N.C. Christmas Parade. The stream will be available starting at 10 a.m. EDT, November 18, 2023, at https://live.nationalondemand.com.

Read More...

Embracing Fall Weather: 18 Ways To Stay Safe While Working Outside

Autumn, with its vibrant foliage and crisp air, brings a refreshing change of scenery for outdoor workers. However, the shift in weather conditions necessitates a thoughtful approach to safety. There are numerous ways to ensure a secure working environment outdoors during the fall.

National OnDemand, Inc. and its managers track weather conditions closely and communicate with employees to help ensure that they are dressing properly and have the right tools and equipment to work outdoors when fall weather arrives.

Read More...

8 details that the power of Broadband Internet Reduces Latency

Broadband Internet has revolutionized how we live, work, and play. With every passing year, users expect faster speeds and a smoother online experience.  

However, while much attention has been given to improving download and upload speeds, there is another critical component to our online experiences that often gets overshadowed: latency.

Read More...

September Photo of the Month

Congrats to Kraig Jarrell, who just won $50 for sending in this work photo from the dropbox link listed below. Next month, this could be you! What are we looking for? We need you to send in photos of your work: in the office, in the field, before & afters, pics of you and your… Continue reading September Photo of the Month

Read More...

National OnDemand makes Triad Business Journal’s Fast 50 list 

National OnDemand, Inc. has been recognized by the Triad Business Journal as one of the Triad’s 50 fastest growing companies. To be considered, companies must be for-profit with their U.S. headquarters based in the Triad. They must have completed three full fiscal years and had $2 million or more in revenue in 2014. The companies were ranked using a formula that considers both dollar and percentage growth.

Read More...

National’s Dowell helps rescue 2-year-old child lost in Kentucky woods 

SOMERSET, Ky. – National OnDemand’s Kyle Dowell was attending a Fourth of July celebration at the White Lily Fire Department where he is a volunteer, but the Saturday evening of July 1 soon turned into a search for a missing 2-year-old long before any fireworks lit up the night sky. 

The call came around 9 p.m. that 2-year-old Beren Cook had been missing for about an hour, setting off a missing juvenile search that involved around 50 first responders from Pulaski County in a 9-acre area behind the boy’s home.

Read More...

National OnDemand predicts growth with announcement of Federal BEAD program 

BURLINGTON, N.C. – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it has allocated funding for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to everyone in America. This “Internet for All” initiative is a key piece of the “Investing in America” agenda.

Read More...

10 Summer Heat Safety Tips for Staying Cool and Safe in the United States

As the summer heat sets in, many workers across the United States, like those at National OnDemand, find themselves navigating scorching temperatures and potential health risks. Whether working outdoors or even in a hot indoor environment, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety and well-being using workplace heat precautions. We want to offer you some tips and suggestions to help you stay safe while also doing your job effectively. Our goal is to help you stay safe while working in hot weather using simple summer safety precautions. Practicing outdoor work safety is important

Read More...

Cable Installation Technician Makes ‘Recession-proof’ list 

The hottest jobs in 2022 saw double-digit increases in wages, with some topping 14-30 percent wage growth, according to research from Payscale.com. These findings led to Payscale labeling these jobs as “recession-proof” because employers are spending more resources and money to fill these roles due to a void and increased competition. Among that list is a cable installation technician.

Read More...

Digital Divide: The Best Advice You Could Ever Get

It might be hard to believe it, but the United States has a problem throughout rural households and areas when it comes to high-speed internet connectivity and the digital divide.

Read More...

Live Well, Work Well: Nutrient & Health

Increasing Your Nutrient AbsorptionWith Food Pairings March is recognized as National Nutrition Month, making it a great time to evaluate the food and beverages you’re putting into your body. Did you know that some nutrients aren’t optimally absorbed if you eat them on their own? Instead, they need to be paired with other nutrients for… Continue reading Live Well, Work Well: Nutrient & Health

Read More...

March Safety Message

March is a transitional time in many areas of the country. While some enjoy a warm-up, others are still dealing with wintery weather. Wherever you are, March has two safety messages that I want to share. Message Number One: March is Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month. That is why I want to take this opportunity… Continue reading March Safety Message

Read More...

February Photo Contest

Congratulations to Michael Crabb for sharing the winning photo, and as a reward, he will receive a check for $50.00.  Thank you to all those who submitted entries last month.

Read More...

Culture Corner: The Stress of Communication

It’s a fact that good communication is key in any relationship – personal or professional, it’s also important to understand one outside factor that can have a major impact on the way we give and receive information – STRESS. That’s why it’s important to identify the issue, because if we don’t factor it in, it can ultimately lead to misunderstandings.

Read More...

Culture Corner: Manifesting Your Future

What do you want to accomplish in 2023? Personal and professional development is an important part of our individual growth, but if we’re not intentional about making it happen, opportunities (big and small) might pass us by. It’s okay if you don’t have goals or a plan in place today, but take the action needed so you start building that plan for tomorrow.

Read More...

January Photo Contest

Congratulations to Gerry for sharing the winning photo, and as a reward, he will receive a check for $50.00.  Thank you to all those who submitted entries last month.

Read More...

Separating Safety

Based on history, this dichotomous thinking about safety versus productivity is already prevalent and doesn’t require much effort to perpetuate it. For decades, workers in many industries were encouraged to get the job done at any cost. That mindset is still present in many older workers and labor-intensive industries. Promotions and raises were based on productivity, not safety. Safety only got consideration if it took the worker out of the workplace. Being excellent at safety might have had personal advantages, but the organization did not reward it. Workers were viewed as replicable cogs in the organizational gears and not as valuable assets.

Read More...

December PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

Photo Contest Extended to 2023! Thanks to all of you who submitted photos for the 2022 photo contest. We awarded hundreds of dollars in prizes, and we will continue the contest into the year 2023, with one major change: Starting in January, all photos shared through Yammer are automatically entered into the monthly contest. The old dropbox… Continue reading December PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

Read More...

LIVE WELL, WORK WELL: National Blood Donor Month & Starting a Realistic Exercise Routine

Don’t Forget; It’s National Blood Donor Month Winter is one of the most challenging times of the year to collect enough blood products and donations to meet patient needs. That’s why National Blood Donor Month is celebrated every January.This year’s national health observance comes as the nation’s blood supply has dropped to concerning levels and… Continue reading LIVE WELL, WORK WELL: National Blood Donor Month & Starting a Realistic Exercise Routine

Read More...