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With a coverage area the size of Maryland, MTA has a lot to juggle. Learn how the co-op ISP has managed to thrive in a difficult environment, literally.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Many choose to live in Alaska to be with nature and live a subsistence lifestyle, according to Jonathan Babbitt, the vice president of product strategy and communications at the Matanuska Telephone Association.

“But it doesn’t mean that you have to give up state of the art connectivity to do that,” said Babbitt, who appeared on a recent episode of the podcast ‘Beyond the Cable,’ produced by BBCMag.com.

Across a coverage area the size of Maryland, with sparsely populated terrain, Babbitt said MTA has thrived by making what’s important to customers, important to them. He said all of Alaska is considered tribal and added that the co-op has been “really all about building relationships.”

MTA’s outreach has included digital workshops and invitations for tribal leaders to offer cultural sensitivity trainings to MTA’s employees.

Babbitt said it’s a commitment that goes both ways.

“It’s about leaning in and showing that you care and building a relationship long term,” he said.

Babbitt also lauded the success of MTA’s co-op model.

He said MTA’s competitors are focused on attaining quick quarterly shareholder returns.

“For us, we get to look at the long-term benefit for our members,” he said. “And ensuring that our priorities and our values of innovation and, integrity, and community first, ensures sustainable and inclusive growth for everyone within our service areas.”

Babbitt said MTA is trying to solve problems for their members.

“Given that those members are owners of the co-op, it is incredibly important that we stay in tune with them and that we are very responsive to their needs.”

Click here to listen to the full Beyond the Cable interview with Babbitt.

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