I’m Jennifer Manner, the executive producer and director of the documentary When Wire Was King: The Transformation of Telecommunications.  I’ve been in the telecommunications industry for 30 years and have watched the industry, and the world, transform through competition.  Competition has given us the smartphone, wi-fi, 5G, and so much more.  I wanted to explore the roots of this incredible transformation and hear the stories from the people who actually made it possible.  That’s what inspired me to make this film.

I am most excited by the interviews we captured – interviews with those who fought in the 70s and 80s to bring an end to the AT&T phone monopoly.  And interviews with the people who continue working to safeguard competition and choice in the telecommunications marketplace.  There’s so much to be learned from this slice of history.  So much that can guide us as we face new challenges.

We faced our own obstacles – filming during a pandemic.  But we did it.  And we’re close to having a finished film that I think will not only inform, but also inspire.  But we’ve got one more hurdle – raising the funds to license the large amount of archival material on which this film depends.  You can’t make an historical film without archival footage.  And we’re excited to share the treasures we’ve found.  I think you’ll enjoy seeing some of those old familiar images of the past.

I hope you can help us  – help us bring this film to life.  Help us share the magic of this story – and the people who made it all possible.  I think you’re going to like it.  Thank you for contributing and sharing the word.