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.

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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. 

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How We Help Our Members Plan Their Projects

Nex-Tech Questions BDC Bulk Mobile Challenge Process

In a letter to the FCC, NRTC member Nex-Tech Wireless shared the results of road trials of 5G connectivity in rural Kansas in response to the FCC’s investigation of the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) bulk challenge process. It found in a large majority of areas where national carriers claim to provide 5G service, connections fall below 7/1 Mbps speeds. However, bulk challenges to carrier claims have not resulted in changes to the Commission’s National Broadband Map. Other organizations made similar claims in comments to the FCC earlier this year.
Fiber Spool

Commission Splits Over “Reasonable and Timely” Portion of Section 706 Report

During its monthly agenda meeting, the FCC ruled that broadband services are not reaching Americans in “a reasonable and timely fashion,” in its first Section 706 progress report in three years. It was a partisan 3-2 vote. In the same document, the FCC also raised the broadband benchmark to 100 Mpbs downstream/20 Mbps upstream to match the requirements of federal broadband funding programs.

Webinar Recording – USDA New ERA: Next Steps & Application Tips

Videos, Webinar RecordingsWebinar Recording – USDA New ERA: Next Steps & Application Tips Related resources

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