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

National Broadband Map Update, 8.3 Million Still Lack Access

The FCC has released the first update of its National Broadband Map introduced in November 2022. After six months, which included a challenge period where the public was able to point out possible inaccuracies, the Commission now estimates that there are 8.3 million unserved homes and businesses in the United States. That represents an increase of 330,000 over the total unserved homes in the original map. The Commerce Department’s NTIA is using the map as a tool to calculate state allocations of funds from the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) Program later this summer.

FCC Broadband Funding Map Tracks Federal Awards

A new FCC Broadband Funding Map allows broadband providers to research where federal programs are assisting the construction of broadband facilities. The map includes data from the FCC’s RDOF and ConnectAmerica-2 programs, as well as programs backed by the Rural Utilities Service, the U.S. Treasury Department and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The map also offers limited broadband coverage information as of June 30, 2022, based on the earlier-introduced National Broadband Map, which remains a work in progress.

Tips for Beating BDC Burnout

Bailey White of NRTC CrowdFiber recently led a webinar to help rural broadband providers prepare for future Broadband Data Collection (BDC) reports to the FCC. The Commission uses in-depth subscriber and location reports to develop its National Broadband Map. The process for collecting updated BDC data every six months can be complex and a significant burden on NRTC members’ staffs. White showed how CrowdFiber tools can lighten the task. He also gave his Top 5 Tips for tackling BDC reports.

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