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Procurement

The community you serve matters—to you and to us. So, when it comes to acquiring the necessary materials to build and maintain your network, our procurement team leverages their knowledge, experience, and long-standing relationships with key suppliers to ensure you’re well taken care of.  


INTEGRATION HELPS DRIVE COORDINATION AND EFFICIENCY 

Focused on the acquisition of materials and network electronics for our members’ broadband projects, the Procurement process is fully integrated with our Design & Engineering and Project Management divisions. Working together, we’re able to coordinate our efforts to design and deliver broadband deployments specifically tailored for our individual members and their communities.  

When it comes to managing cost, as well as material sourcing and availability, our integrated approach is structured to take the burdens of complex negotiation and project coordination off the backs of our members. 


the advantages of scale

Each year, NRTC purchases more than $100M worth of materials. Operating at this scale means we frequently achieve longer price validity and more flexible terms when making changes after an order is placed. We’re often able to negotiate terms for a project that would be unavailable to any single member attempting to manage it on their own. 

Due to the size of our operations and the number of members we serve, we commonly engage in advance purchases of key materials that require longer lead times, such as fiber optic cable, allowing these critical materials to be more readily available as the need arises—often significantly reducing lead time concerns that companies working independently encounter. 

Additionally, strong partnerships with key fiber and component manufacturers provide even greater flexibility when it comes to the shipment and delivery of needed materials, often cutting traditional lead times by more than half. 


Adding it UP

While NRTC is fully capable of handling straightforward procurement as a standalone task, the combination of integration and the benefits that come from operating, negotiating, and purchasing at scale provide real value for your company. 

At NRTC, we partner with you to achieve the long-term success of your community.


Insights

Why Choose NRTC?

There are many providers out there who can help you develop, deploy and maintain your broadband network. But NRTC is different.

We understand that every network is unique, and there is no “one-size fits all” solution. We don’t have a specific network we’re trying to sell—we help you explore all available options to understand the potential effects each one can have on your business.

What’s more, NRTC is organized as a cooperative. That means that we are not driven by profit, but rather the long-term success of our members.

Resources

The Latest Broadband News

FCC Measuring How Long State/Local Permitting Delays Broadband Projects

The FCC today launched a Notice of Inquiry to explore possible preemption of state and local regulations that potentially delay the buildout of wireline broadband infrastructure. The NOI asks whether states or localities are placing unreasonable regulations or regulatory fees network construction. The Commission cited past similar actions under Section 253 of the Commissions Act, including the 2018 Small Cell Order.

Precision Ag Overlay to National Broadband Map a Tough Task, But Might Be Worth It 

Recently proposed legislation would direct the FCC to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to overlay data identifying “agricultural areas” on the Commission’s National Broadband Map. The map could be useful to farmers, ISPs and policymakers planning future precision agriculture deployments. But there could be significant and costly barriers to building the map. NRTC’s Bailey White, who has extensive experience mapping communications networks in rural areas, offers his opinions on the challenges and how to move forward.

Rural Commenters Urge FCC to Adopt Higher Broadband Benchmarks

Rural associations commenting on the FCC annual inquiry tracking broadband network access to all Americans said the time is right for the FCC to increase the minimum broadband speed benchmark from its current 100/20 Mbps. NRECA also called for the Commission to recognize a new symmetrical speed benchmark, rather than focusing on download speeds. It cited the May NRTC/NRECA Rural Broadband Benchmarking Report that most rural electric co-ops’ broadband subscribers take service faster than 475/475 Mbps.

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