Atlantic Tele-Network CEO
About Michael Prior
Michael Prior, Executive Chairman of ATN International, discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the telecom industry in a September 2020 CANTO Conversations webinar. He stated that the pandemic forced customers, workers, and management to rapidly embrace digitization, accelerating a strategy the company had been pursuing. Prior described the telecom industry as "exceedingly fast moving and changing, driven by technology and consumer use." He noted that while demand for connectivity is increasing, customers cannot afford to pay much more, creating a challenge for operators to invest in networks. Prior also said that over-the-top applications generate significant revenues from operator investments, but operators struggle to monetize these services, particularly when providers are not resident in the markets served. Prior commented on regulatory challenges, saying there is a "lack of understanding among regulators about the rapid changes in telecom technology and the significant investments required." He advocated for regulators to make spectrum more available and affordable and to adopt lighter-touch regulation. During the pandemic, Prior said ATN worked with tribal leadership in rural US markets like the Navajo Nation to provide connectivity for remote learning. He described the leadership qualities needed during a crisis as urgency, creativity, decisiveness, and credibility, and said the company seeks leaders with a "business owner" mentality who take responsibility for employees and customers.