International Wireless Industry Association Selects Cellular One’s CEO for its 2023 Board of Directors

Cellular One www.mycellularone.comtoday announced that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin “Judd” Hinkle has been selected to serve on the 2023 Board of Directors for CTIA–The Wireless Association®, an international nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. and representing the wireless communications industry since 1984. CTIA members include wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products.

“I am honored to be reappointed to CTIA’s Board. Since I joined the Board in 2013, I have seen incredible progress in our industry,” said Hinkle, CEO at Cellular One. 

“I feel that I offer a unique perspective to our Board because of the market we serve. For almost 30 years it has been Cellular One’s mission to bring wireless communications and modern technology to underserved rural and Tribal communities throughout the Southwest.”

To put that into perspective, according to the 2000 Census less than 40% of households on the Tribal lands in the Southwest had access to a phone connection of any kind.  As a result of Cellular One’s collaboration with Tribal leaders and funding from the FCC’s Connect America Program and Lifeline Program the number of connected persons is now about 90%.

“The pandemic has only intensified the need for not only reliable cell phone access, but also the need for Broadband Internet in rural and Tribal communities,” added Hinkle. “Our team is working diligently to meet those needs swiftly with Mobile Broadband through our cellular network and a variety of other technologies we offer including microwave and fiber.”

A seasoned industry veteran, Hinkle has over 23 years of telecommunications experience in both international and domestic telecom operations.  He will step into his position as one of the 38 directors on the CTIA Board as of January 1, 2023, while continuing to serve as CEO of Smith Bagley, Inc.—the company that owns Cellular One of Northeastern Arizona as well as Naked Mobile, Sunstate Technology Group, and PHOTON™ by SBi, the new fiber division. 

About CTIA

CTIA represents the U.S. wireless communications industry. From carriers and equipment manufacturers to mobile app developers and content creators, CTIA brings together a dynamic group of companies that enable consumers to lead a 21st Century connected life.

As the voice of America’s wireless industry, CTIA:

• Advocates for legislative and regulatory policies at federal, state, and local levels that foster the continued innovation, investment and increasing economic impact of America’s wireless industry.
• Convenes the industry to tackle our most difficult challenges and coordinates voluntary best practices and initiatives.
• Promotes our members through numerous campaigns aimed at building awareness among policymakers and the general public, as well as through industry-leading events on topics ranging from cybersecurity to 5G.

About Smith Bagley, Inc. (SBi)

For almost 30 years, SBi has served the communications needs of underserved rural communities and tribal lands in the Southwest.  Its cellular division, Cellular One, is a leading regional provider of mobile technology and wireless communications service operating a network of more than 230 cell sites, covering 60,000 square miles. 

In 2014 SBi launched its remarkably popular Naked Mobile brand as an affordable advance-pay product lineup.  In 2018 SBi acquired Sunstate Technology Group, which offers managed IT services and solutions to local governments, public safety workers, nonprofits and mid to enterprise businesses in Arizona and New Mexico.  In 2022 the company launched its new fiber infrastructure division: PHOTON™ by SBi.  SBi has almost 200 employees, many of whom are Native American.

For more information, please visit mycellularone.com, nakedmobile.com, and sunstatetech.com.