Wōden

Swing by our booth at #ITA in Portland this week! Meet our team and enter to win a Green Mountain Grill!

Accelerating Broadband Expansion in the Pacific Northwest: The time is now for ISPs, Co-ops, and Municipal networks The recent introduction of the Streamlining Program Efficiency and Expanding Deployment for BEAD Act "SPEED for BEAD Act" aims to enhance the Broadband Expansion, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program by streamlining processes and removing certain regulatory barriers. These legislative efforts signal a pivotal moment for broadband expansion in Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho. By reducing bureaucratic obstacles and promoting efficient deployment, the path is being paved for more rapid and effective broadband infrastructure development in our region. Internet Service Providers, Cooperatives, and Municipal Broadband Operators to seize this opportunity to: - Engage in the BEAD Program: Participate actively in the program to secure funding and support for your broadband projects. - Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work alongside state and local governments, community organizations, and aligned contractors to align efforts and maximize impact. - Innovate and Expand: Leverage the streamlined processes to deploy scalable, future-proof broadband solutions that meet the evolving needs of our communities. At Woden LLC, we are committed to supporting broadband access initiatives and fostering partnerships that drive digital expansion and connectivity across the Pacific Northwest. Let's work together to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all our communities have access to reliable, high-speed internet. #BroadbandExpansion #DigitalEquity #BEADProgram #SPEEDAct #WodenLLC #PacificNorthwest #ISPs #Cooperatives #MunicipalBroadband?

Telecommunications companies are straining to keep up with demand for infrastructure supporting B2B and B2C fiber. The increasing demand for backbone deployment in rural PNW markets as DCs chasing low land & power costs is a choke point as well, with Wōden being one of only a small handful of engineering firms that specialize in navigating design, permitting, and construction in these rural jurisdictions.

AI Data Centers Will Push Oregon’s Utility Infrastructure to Its Limits—Are We Ready? OpenAI’s search for U.S. sites to build its Stargate AI data centers has serious implications for Oregon. The state’s combination of available land, renewable energy potential, and existing data center infrastructure makes it a strong contender. But large-scale AI data centers come with massive utility infrastructure demands, particularly for power and fiber connectivity. At Wōden, LLC, we specialize in overcoming the regulatory and geographical barriers that stand in the way of utility infrastructure expansion. Our experience navigating complex permitting, right-of-way challenges, and inter-agency coordination ensures that high-capacity networks and power grids can be built efficiently and at scale. For projects like Stargate, success will depend on:? ??Proactive planning to secure regulatory approvals ahead of demand?? ??Multi-disciplinary teams that can coordinate fiber, rights-of-way, easements, and permitting efforts ??Scalable infrastructure solutions that can adapt as AI workloads grow? AI-driven development in Oregon is coming fast—utility infrastructure must keep pace. The right expertise will determine whether we lead the way or fall behind.?? #5G #Telecommunications #Broadband #Connectivity #FiberOptics #Wireless #AI

Rural Broadband Expansion Requires Rigorous Quality Control & Risk Mitigation Beacon Broadband’s $19 million grant to expand high-speed internet access in rural Curry and Coos counties is a major win for connectivity in Oregon. However, large-scale rural broadband projects come with significant risks—from unexpected permitting hurdles to construction challenges in difficult terrain. At Wōden, LLC, we approach quality control and risk mitigation as more than just compliance measures—they are essential to project success. By embedding rigorous oversight throughout engineering and construction, we:?? ??Reduce errors by ensuring designs align with real-world build conditions?? ??Minimize costly rework by proactively identifying risks before construction begins? ??Enhance safety by maintaining strict standards across all project phases? Rural broadband deployment can’t afford setbacks—every delay means more people left without critical connectivity. Strategic risk management and quality control are key to getting it right the first time. #5G #Telecommunications #Broadband #Connectivity #FiberOptics #Wireless https://lnkd.in/e5pAdqwQ

Broadband Expansion on the Oregon Coast Highlights the Need for Streamlined Project Execution? The expansion of broadband services along the Oregon Coast is a crucial step toward increasing connectivity in underserved areas. However, one of the biggest challenges in rolling out broadband infrastructure—especially in rural and coastal regions—is the inefficiency caused by project hand-offs between engineering and construction teams. ? At Wōden, LLC, we’ve seen firsthand how traditional project workflows create bottlenecks. When separate engineering and construction firms manage different phases of a project, miscommunication, scheduling conflicts, and delays become inevitable. This is where turn-key execution makes all the difference.? By eliminating hand-offs, integrating engineering and construction under one team, and reducing coordination challenges, projects can move faster, with fewer errors and lower costs. As broadband expansion efforts continue across the West Coast, the industry must rethink how projects are executed—because faster deployment means more communities getting online sooner.? https://lnkd.in/geuX_sJ9 #5G #Telecommunications #Broadband #Connectivity #FiberOptics #Wireless #IoT #TelecomIndustry #DigitalTransformation

This article delves into the advancements in telecom infrastructure, highlighting how multiplexing technology allows existing fiber optics to handle exponentially higher data rates. By leveraging sophisticated multiplexing techniques, we can significantly increase transmission speeds without the need for new fiber installations. This ensures that new fiber builds are future-proofed, reducing the need for frequent outside plant upgrades. Discover how these innovations are transforming the industry and making long-term scalability a reality.

The Rise of AI: Opportunities and Challenges for the Pacific Northwest As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue to advance, a recent report by The Conference Board highlights a looming challenge: the potential that significant increases in AI driven electricity demand may overburden the U.S. power grid. However, this surge in anticipated energy demand also presents an opportunity to drive new efficiencies and innovations within the energy sector. AI and the Pacific Northwest: A Perfect Match The Pacific Northwest (PNW) stands out as a prime location to support growth in AI and datacenter infrastructure. The region's abundant and reliable renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric, wind, and solar power, provide a sustainable foundation for energy-intensive AI operations. Additionally, the PNW's access to water resources and its mild climate make it uniquely suitable for hosting new datacenter facilities, offering natural cooling benefits that can reduce overall energy consumption. Expanding Infrastructure Needs With the anticipated growth of AI and datacenter infrastructure, there will be a corresponding demand for new fiber optic outside plant (OSP) installations to interconnect facilities and support the broader network. Much of this new OSP infrastructure will need to be deployed in rural areas, leveraging existing rights of way to extend high-speed connectivity to and between remote locations. This expansion is crucial to support rural access but also to enable the distributed network architecture that has become a hallmark of datacenter growth. Woden LLC: Your OSP Engineering Partner in AI & DC Infrastructure Development At Woden, we are uniquely positioned to support project managers in navigating the complexities of infrastructure deployment to assist with data center and AI's expansion. Our team brings deep background in industry technical standards, local permitting requirements, government & pole owner relationships, and multi-agency stakeholder management. Additionally, we excel in negotiating with private landowners including railroads, irrigation districts, sovereign tribes, as well as state and federal agencies in rural Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, ensuring smooth project execution from start to finish. As AI technologies continue to reshape industries and drive innovation, the PNW's strategic advantages and Woden’s engineering capabilities make us an ideal partner for streamlining infrastructure deployments to assist with AI and data center projects. By leveraging our expertise and the region's natural assets, we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable, efficient, and connected future. For more insights on the impact of AI on electricity demand and the opportunities it presents, read the full report summary at prnewswire.com This post was written by Wōden co-founder Lach Litwer