Planning

Great results can only come from sound beginnings 

We know a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work for our members. The technology path that works for one member may not be right for another. We also know that planning is essential when making significant, often generational, technology investments.

Our Broadband Feasibility Studies, Smart Grid Technology Planning and Funding Services are customized for each member based on your realities – service area, financial situation, current infrastructure, demographics and competitive environment.

The result is a meaningful analysis that empowers you make sound decisions. Our experienced team takes the time to review options with you, make recommendations and develop a technology approach that’s best for you.

Planning also helps you see how all the pieces fit together and figure out what’s next. When you build a broadband network, how can it benefit future smart grid applications? When you deploy a mobile voice and data service, what does it mean for your broadband subscriber base?

We see the big picture, and we take the long view because we that’s what a partner should do.

Learn More About

Member story

Project to Bring Broadband to Rural Vermont Wins Grants

Two grants totaling more than $16 million to support broadband construction projects. Most of the support – $15,899,089 – goes to the Communications Union District serving the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) to carry on a project connecting 45 rural towns in three counties to fiber broadband. 

Learn more

How We Help Our Members Plan Their Projects

Carr Lays Out Plan to Build More Communications Networks Faster

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr gave a speech this afternoon in Sioux Falls, SD, to announce his “Build America” agenda for the coming months. Following the recent establishment of a Republican majority on the Commission, Carr sees an opportunity to move quickly on several reforms. His six-point plan includes ideas to accelerate broadband construction, free spectrum for 5G and satellite broadband, and speed up the elimination of obsolete regulations.

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to USF’s Constitutionality

The Supreme Court this morning released its opinion in FCC v Consumers’ Research, effectively preserving the status quo of the current universal service fund (USF). Justice Elena Kagan writing the 6-3 majority opinion said the USF contributions system does not violate the Constitution’s “nondelegation doctrine,” citing a century’s worth of precedent. While the telecommunications industry expressed relief by the court’s opinion, there is also widespread agreement that the USF contribution system is broken and needs reform.

House Debate on AI Regulation Moratorium Splits on Party Lines

The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology met yesterday to discuss artificial intelligence policies. The 10-year moratorium on state and local AI regulation enforcement House Republicans recently added to the draft “One Big Beautiful Bill” dominated the hearing. Democrats attacked the moratorium as a windfall for big-tech companies. Republicans said Congress needed time to develop national standards before states impose potentially thousands of investment-killing rules.

Start the conversation about how we can help Plan your projects