Prioritizing Local Impact
I have this model in my head of how "internet for all" is going to happen over time. First, communication providers will build in the obvious places.
When I say obvious, I mean that there are so many potential customers, and the cost to deploy is so low that ROI isn't only a given; it's nearly immediate.
Once all those obvious places have reliable internet, those providers will start to serve the next-best ROI opportunities—and so on.
The first wave may connect one-third of Americans, and the second wave would capture one-sixth, the third would connect one-twelfth, etc. Slowly, and slice-by-slice, everyone would get connected.
In theory, this correlation between ROI and customers served fosters a natural alignment with "internet for all," but in practice I'm observing something different.
The Other Variables
There seem to be several prevalent reasons why reality doesn't match the graph I drew:
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What can be done?
As our software for broadband deployment continues to grow and empower teams across the country, our engineering services team is excited to prioritize impactful work in our backyard.
It's frustrating to spend weeks designing a way for a fifth communication provider to bring superfluous service to an already congested pole line when you know that millions of people still lack reliable internet access.
Working locally is an enormous opportunity for staff to see the fruit of their labor—and to feel the impact of their work on people in their community. There's a natural alignment and feedback loop that can remind us that our work actually makes the world a better place.
As the dollars continue to flow from RDOF, BEAD, and other programs, here are two ways we think you can prioritize local impact of broadband deployment:
If you're looking to bring internet to underserved communities, we're here to help! Whether you're looking for software, engineering services, consulting, training, or a referral for a project in your footprint—give us a shout at 717-432-0716 or email [email protected].