Xplore Inc.’s Post

According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, there are now more than 400 active municipal broadband networks in the US. These initiatives highlight the ways communities are bridging the gaps left by large, private IPSs, whose services can be unaffordable or simply unavailable to many people, especially among rural, low-income and marginalized populations. For many of these communities, municipal and publicly owned networks are the only way to truly get connected. https://lnkd.in/gHZzJg3a

Column: Achieving high-speed internet for rural Oklahoma https://buff.ly/413ghbu

There’s no place for holes in our nation’s broadband coverage 🧀 Have you ever heard of broadband’s “swiss cheese” problem? Across the country there are holes in coverage, left unfilled by ISPs and previous subsidy programs. Worse still, because these holes are typically scattered, remote, and sparsely populated, it’s hard to group them together into projects that an internet service provider will take on — even with subsidies. What makes these holes so tricky is that providers have usually already covered the profitable locations in the area, leaving only the highest-cost, lowest-return locations. The incentives required to move ISPs to connect these pockets can be substantial — and in some cases BEAD and other public funds will not get it done. The result? Many of the most remote, rural communities could remain without broadband after “Internet For All” dollars are spent. This sharp digital divide ferments existing disparities in education, health, and wealth. 🇺��� This International Cheese Day, let's aim for a "Cheddar" America, with robust, gap-free broadband. This requires coordinated action from governments, private sector players, and communities. That’s why, as part of our Appalachia Digital Accelerator, we’re working with communities to build partnerships between ISPs, capital providers, and local governments to find solutions to fill the holes. 👍 Like & share this post to show support for a future where broadband is as solid as cheddar. Happy #InternationalCheeseDay #CheddarAmerica #LetsBrieTheBestWeCanBrie

Investment in our technological & communication infrastructure are key measures that keep North Carolina a strategic player in our developing global economy.

Building connectivity across our County: My proposal to streamline the expansion of broadband internet access passed recently and it will prioritize underserved areas and rural communities. A big step towards ensuring reliable digital access for all. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gDnyQN7q

An important conversation highlighting the necessity of inclusive broadband access, with a great shout-out to DEED's Border-to-Border broadband development grant program! Check it out: https://bit.ly/3QkQNT3

In the race to digital ubiquity, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) programs stand out as beacons of hope for unserved and underserved communities. These initiatives offer a once-in-a-generation chance to leapfrog technological barriers and forge connections that spur economic growth, educational opportunities, and societal advancements. Yet, in candid discussions with rural Internet Service Providers, a concerning trend has emerged. Some providers have expressed reluctance—or outright refusal—to engage with these funding opportunities. The reasons vary, but the underlying theme is a perception of these programs as optional, rather than strategic imperatives. This stance overlooks a critical reality: if these ISPs do not step forward to claim their stake, others will. The decision to bypass BEAD and RDOF funding is not just a missed opportunity for growth; it's an open invitation for competitors to encroach upon their territories. Once larger ISPs establish a foothold, displacing them—or simply coexisting—becomes a herculean task fraught with financial and operational challenges. The risk is not merely theoretical. It's a tangible threat to the very survival of rural ISPs who might find themselves sidelined in an increasingly consolidated market. The strategic imperative, then, is not just about expanding service areas or upgrading infrastructure; it's about defending one's position in an aggressively competitive landscape. The "right to win" in this context is not a given—it's a position that must be actively claimed and defended. BEAD and RDOF funds represent not just financial resources, but strategic enablers that can fortify rural ISPs against encroachment, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving digital world. To my esteemed colleagues in the rural ISP community: I urge you to view these funding opportunities through a strategic lens. Recognize them for what they are—a chance to solidify your foothold, protect your market, and ensure your community's access to the digital resources they desperately need. The decision to engage with BEAD and RDOF is more than a financial calculation; it's a foundational strategy for future-proofing your business against the inexorable tide of digital expansion. Let's not wait until it's too late. The time to act is now, ensuring a vibrant, competitive, and inclusive digital future for all. #bead #broadband #broadbandforall #fiber #isp #telecom #telecommunications #ruralbroadband #ruralconnectivity

Rural broadband is an essential public good because it remedies a de facto disenfranchisement in unconnected communities. The national effort to close the digital divide by expanding reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities—mainly rural communities—is a massive undertaking. With the right solutions partners to support rural architectures, innovative designs, and regulatory compliance, service providers will be there to fulfill this public mandate in the year ahead—and for many more years to come. https://lnkd.in/gS6NbyKp #DigitalInclusion #InnovativeSolutions #TechForGood

Expanding WISP services plays a pivotal role in improving internet access for communities across urban and rural areas alike. Our latest blog breaks down six strategies for successful service expansion – read it here: https://hubs.li/Q02D4lDy0 #WISP #wirelessinternet #fixedwireless #BeyondReach