Any one of these issues can cause delays and/or cost overruns that threaten the project, its funding or post-deployment success. The good news Smaller, rural deployments are no longer relegated to working with vendors that may lack resources, experience and business relationships to ensure the job is done right the first time. They can have access to equipment from the same global network equipment providers and their ecosystem of partners that supply the large operators. Just as important, they can take advantage of all the benefits these companies offer including leveraging existing relationships with system integrators, service providers, consultants and construction companies. They bring with them years of experience, having been tested and proven under a broad range of situations. The better news The fiber broadband ecosystem understands the challenges smaller operators face and organizations in the ecosystem are providing more resources to strengthen partnerships and support. These efforts include: • Educational resources. A lack of knowledge about fiber networking can be an obstacle to utilities and community organizations seeking to bring broadband to their areas. Websites such as Fiber Techzone offer a wealth of useful information about building, monetizing and operating fiber networks. • Broadband.money. This U.S.-based service enables local ISPs, RECs, and community networks to discover and secure broadband grants under the BEAD program. The website is truly a “one-stop shop” for anyone seeking to expand broadband access. It enables users to find broadband funding opportunities, get expert help, build community support, explore matching fund sources, participate in conversations with industry leaders, partner with key allies, and more. • “Network in a box” packages. Many small operators have found themselves unable to secure the necessary materials from their established supply chains to meet their self-imposed construction schedules or regulatory-imposed milestones. Equipment manufacturers working with their partners are responding to this need – and taking the complexity out of smaller broadband projects – by building and allocating equipment specifically designed for these smaller projects. These resources are making it much easier for communities, utilities and other stakeholders to succeed in bringing broadband to their businesses and families – on schedule and within budget. Broadband partnerships work When a broad, diverse ecosystem of partners collaborate on a fixed broadband project, the results speak for themselves. For example, a regional utility company serving seven counties in the U.S. recently sought to better serve its customers and broaden its revenue base by deploying a robust fixed broadband network. After evaluating the options, the company chose to deploy an XGS-PON (passive optical network) to serve its more than 478,000 business and residential customers. XGS-PON has the advantage of supporting high-speed 10G-per-second data transfer with the capability to boost speeds up to 25G-per-second traffic today, thereby accommodating network demands for decades to come. After a competitive bid, the utility chose a systems integrator with deep fiber optic expertise to lead the project, delivering the core and middle infrastructure. The systems integrator worked with its equipment partner to spec and service the network. Currently underway, the first phase of the project includes the construction of the fiber network backbone, which runs along the embedded electrical lines. Phase two will expand the network rollout to additional areas and will continue until fiber is deployed to cover the utility’s service area. When complete, the company will be able to offer a full range of broadband services, including faster, more-reliable Internet, TV, voice and other data rich applications. Next steps At long last, utilities and local authorities in many underserved areas have the opportunity – and the funding – to bring their communities fully into the digital world. To make that happen, I recommend that prospective operators begin by exploring the resources mentioned above. Become familiar with the essentials of broadband networking and ask questions. Identify the funding sources and/or partners that can help finance the project. When it comes time to seek bids for the project, choose a fiber broadband vendor with a team of partners equipped to address the following key criteria: • Lowest risk. In something as complex as a broadband deployment, experience matters. Seek a team of vendors that have worked collaboratively in the past, have a high level of mutual trust, and know how best to leverage each other’s capabilities. • Ease of use. Once deployed, a broadband network needs to be managed. The solution should include intuitive tools for monitoring, troubleshooting, provisioning and upgrading. • Future-proof. Ensure that the broadband technology deployed can be expanded as new applications come online and demand grows over the long term. • Equipment availability and logistical ability. Equipment availability issues can cause delays that increase costs and jeopardize funding. Fiber broadband providers and their partners can ensure on-time delivery. Leveraging partnerships and following these recommendations will help ensure a well-run project, enabling community residents and businesses to get the broadband access they deserve as soon as possible. Digital transformation is enabled with fiber broadband - driving productivity, efficiency and economic prosperity. o Nathan Stenson is vice president of global partner channel for Nokia. 38 CHANNELVISION | JULY - AUGUST 2023
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