The Foundation for Rural Service has published a new report, Delivering Broadband from Beginning to “End.” It’s been a minute since I looked at a “how to” manual for rural broadband. They describe the work…
But as this paper will explain, funding a project is just the start of the journey to bring broadband to your home, business, or community At times the process, from the initial decision or funding award to invest to completion of deployment, seems slow and frustrating for members of the community looking forward to a better broadband connection (or to their first opportunity to enjoy one) The following report explains the numerous steps, and at times hurdles, that go into designing and delivering a reliable and robust broadband network and attempts to answer the often-asked question “why is this taking so long?” Additionally, this report addresses the fact that the job is hardly complete when constructing the network is “done ” Because what matters most to consumers (the availability, affordability, and reliability of services) must be a central focus and require funding and attention.
It is that last step that caught my eye – in part because I just finished watching a MN Legislative meeting to broadband deployment and then support for city, township and county cyber security. You may own your house (or your network) but it still isn’t free. The whole report is definitely worth a looking, especially for the timeline near the end. I wanted to share some of the conclusion…
The deployment of broadband technology and delivery of broadband services from beginning to “end” represents a pivotal advancement in our collective digital journey While bridging the digital divide, expanding broadband infrastructure can revolutionize connectivity and enhance economic opportunities But it takes hard work and timeintensive effort to build a network from the planning and permitting stages through actual construction – and the job is just beginning when the network is “done ” …
The deployment of broadband networks is undoubtedly a monumental task, requiring immense coordination, technical expertise, and financial investment However, challenges still present themselves after the network is built Operating a broadband network is not a passive endeavor It is a dynamic business that demands continuous oversight, adaptability, and customer-focused strategies While many understandably focus on the excitement associated with broadband deployment and the initial thrill of announcing that customers are connected, we cannot overlook the many steps that go into making that happen in the first place – and the many additional ongoing steps that go into making sure that this has a lasting impact for those that get connected