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

Old Conflict Returns: With a Full FCC, Net Neutrality Debate Is Back

FCC Chairwoman Jessical Rosenworcel has circulated a draft document to reinstate net neutrality rules and Title II regulation of the internet, which were repealed in 2017 by the previous FCC. The swearing in of Anna Gomez to the Commission on Monday broke a two and a half year 2-2 tie and appears to open a clear path to reinstatement. However, some believe applying Title II to internet communications ultimately will not survive Supreme Court review.

FCC Restarting 5G Fund Effort, But No Reverse Auction Date in Sight

Yesterday the FCC restarted the stalled momentum behind its 5G Fund, a program it began three years ago to expand mobile broadband coverage into unserved rural areas. It adopted rules in 2020 but decided not to set a date for reverse auctions to distribute funds until it had finished developing a more detailed National Broadband Map. With a more detailed map now completed, the FCC is still not ready to set an auction date, but instead is considering additional 5G Fund eligibility rules to clarify the rules it set in 2020.

Tim Bryan Shares Views on Current Broadband Environment on LiveOak Fiber Podcast

NRTC CEO Tim Bryan was a recent guest on “The Fiber,” a podcast produced by LiveOak Fiber, which provides broadband in rural Florida and Georgia. He described an evolving competitive environment where broadband providers in urban areas are pushing fiber deeper into their networks, while many rural areas still have no access to wired broadband. The next three to four years will see more rural providers building fiber facilities of their own, often with financing through state and federal programs. Challenges remain, including rural labor shortages, inflation, and supply chain delays.

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