The 2024 Rural Telecommunications Benchmark Study looks at the business-side of the industry. The quick take seems to be that there’s potential for growth but a need to keep costs down. Sounds like midsized companies have best weathered the last year because they can be agile. There are a lot of moving pieces for an industry that has changed so dramatically in the past twenty some years…
The biggest takeaways from the 2024 Rural Telecommunications Benchmark Study are that:
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Twenty-plus years after the rollout of broadband services, internet revenue continues to provide growth opportunities to the rural telecommunications industry
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Inflation and increasing costs have had an impact on operating profitability
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The industry continues to grow through broadband services
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Total revenue growth is anemic
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Rural companies are financially strong with balance sheets particularly strong
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Even in the face of increased competition and regulatory and legislative uncertainty, the rural telecommunications industry has succeeded in the growth of broadband services, revenues and operative income.
