Empowering Rural Connectivity: Strategies for Flexible Broadband Expansion
Rural communities are still struggling to get decent internet, even though it’s now essential for everyday life, not just a nice-to-have. The Fiber Broadband Association recently ran a webinar looking at the problems these communities face and some creative ways to bring them online. They focused on practical solutions that could help bridge this persistent digital divide.
In our previous webinar, untitled “Empowering Rural Connectivity: Strategies for Flexible Broadband Expansion,” we brought together three industry experts:
- Tim Maylone, Founder and CEO of Cherry Capital Communications
- Matt Kennamore, Senior Director of Business Development at Adtran
- Guillaume Le Mener, VP of Product Marketing at 6WIND
Together, these experts shared valuable insights on how rural service providers can leverage technology partnerships, flexible business models, and federal funding to build sustainable broadband networks in underserved areas.
The Challenge of Rural Broadband
According to a poll conducted during the webinar, the primary challenges facing rural broadband expansion include:
- Limited funding and resources (the top concern)
- Access to technology and skilled personnel
- Regulatory compliance
- Community support
These challenges are particularly acute for smaller regional service providers operating in sparsely populated areas where the cost per household connection can be significantly higher than in urban settings.
The Open Access Network Model
A key topic of discussion was the Open Access Network model, which allows multiple service providers to utilize the same physical infrastructure.
Tim Malone of Cherry Capital Communications explained that this model has been highly successful in Sweden, which shares geographical and population similarities with Michigan. The Swedish Open Access model has achieved impressive take rates of up to 85%, compared to the typical 40-60% with traditional single-provider networks.
“Where you live should not limit what choices you have,” Malone emphasized. “By having an Open Access network, the funds invested in the network only have to be invested once rather than building two or three networks.”
This approach delivers several key benefits:
- Consumers gain choice between multiple service providers
- Infrastructure investments go further by serving more customers
- Service providers compete on quality and brand differentiation rather than infrastructure
- The network can support innovative services beyond traditional internet access
Beyond Internet: Expanding Service Offerings
The Open Access model enables a wide range of services beyond traditional internet connectivity:
Telehealth
With an hospital system providing direct fiber connections from healthcare facilities to patient’s homes, this secure, high-bandwidth connection allows for remote healthcare delivery while maintaining patient privacy.
Remote Education
Universities can establish direct connections to students’ homes, significantly improving the quality of remote education experiences compared to internet-based delivery.
Emergency Services
First responders like police departments, and fire services can benefit from segmented, secure networks operating over the same physical infrastructure.
Flexible Business Models
Another critical component of successful rural broadband deployment is adopting business models that align with the realities of rural markets. With Adtran, 6WIND have developed “pay-as-you-grow” models that allow service providers to scale their investments as their subscriber base expands.
This approach transforms what would typically be large upfront capital expenditures into more manageable operational expenses that grow with revenue. Similarly, Adtran offers flexible hardware options that can start small and scale without stranding investments.
Technology Considerations for Rural Networks
The panelists emphasized the importance of choosing technology that provides both flexibility and scalability:
- Software-Defined Networking: Solutions like 6WIND’s BNG (Broadband Network Gateway) and CGNAT (Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation) run on standard commercial servers, reducing costs and increasing deployment flexibility.
- Automation Capabilities: APIs and orchestration tools enable service providers to minimize operational costs through automated configuration and management.
- Distributed Architecture: Using distributed splits or taps in the physical network construction maximizes resource utilization.
- Future-Proof Design: Networks should be built to accommodate ever-increasing bandwidth demands without requiring complete replacement.
Partnership: The Key to Success
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the webinar was the critical role of partnerships in rural broadband success. By partnering with technology providers like Adtran and 6WIND, regional service providers like Cherry Capital Communications gain access to expertise, resources, and solutions that would otherwise be out of reach.
“We really don’t know what we don’t know,” Malone acknowledged. “Part of our search was to find specialists in what they do because we believe that’ll bring efficiency that will bring to the table a knowledge pool that being in northern Michigan is not readily available.”
These partnerships provide rural service providers with complete end-to-end solutions, from the core network to the customer’s door, while also addressing challenges related to limited resources and technical expertise.
Conclusion
As the demand for high-speed connectivity continues to grow across rural America, the strategies and partnerships discussed in this webinar offer a promising roadmap for service providers navigating the complex landscape of rural broadband deployment.
By embracing flexible business models, leveraging Open Access architectures, maximizing funding opportunities, and forming strategic partnerships, rural service providers can overcome the challenges of limited resources to deliver robust, future-proof connectivity to the communities they serve.
The gap between rural and urban internet access isn’t just unfair—it’s fixable. Through thoughtful collaboration and innovative approaches, we can ensure that connectivity reaches every corner of a country. Living in the countryside shouldn’t mean settling for digital isolation when the technology exists to connect everyone.
More information, contact us: https://www.6wind.com/contact/
Watch the on-demand webinar with Adtran and Cherry Capital: https://www.6wind.com/empowering-rural-connectivity-strategies-for-flexible-broadband-expansion/
