Christopher Lu

There was a recent decision and it’s going to impact pile attachment agreements across the industry. The Texas Supreme Court just reinforced something we see constantly in telecom: You can write anything you want in a contract, but the order of legal operations has a gravity no one can escape. In Spectrum Gulf Coast LLC v City of San Antonio 2026, the Court held that agreements requiring compliance with “all laws” apply to future regulatory changes—not just the laws in place when the contract was signed. In a regulated industry, that matters. Because when laws shift: • rates change • permitting changes • engineering assumptions change And if your contracts aren’t aligned with that reality, the problem doesn’t stay in legal—it shows up in the field. What I found especially interesting is that the Court didn’t rely on classification alone. Even though Spectrum isn’t a certificated telecom provider, the decision recognizes that behavior within shared infrastructure and competitive markets still drives regulatory impact. The infrastructure doesn’t care what you call yourself. If you’re on the poles, in the ROW, and serving the same customers, the rules will eventually converge on you. I’ve always said: Understand the laws. The rest is physics. https://lnkd.in/g29PVANV

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🚨 Major Policy Shift from the FCC 🚨 Last week in Sioux Falls, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr unveiled the Build America plan, a bold roadmap to accelerate broadband infrastructure, cut red tape, and modernize the agency’s role in our digital economy. Here are the 6 key priorities Carr outlined: 1️⃣ Broadband Construction – Top focus: overhaul outdated copper replacement rules to unleash billions in fiber investment. 2️⃣ Freeing Spectrum – Middle-band spectrum (AWS-3) is finally heading to auction. It’s time to put dormant frequencies to work for 5G. 3️⃣ Space Communications – Streamlining satellite applications and unlocking 20,000 MHz for satellite broadband services. 4️⃣ Cutting Red Tape – Out with legacy rules (yes, even ones about telegraphs and phone booths). The “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative is just the beginning. 5️⃣ National Security – Continued bipartisan focus on protecting U.S. networks, especially from foreign threats like China. 6️⃣ Workforce – Backing highly trained, American crews to ensure quality, security, and sustainability in broadband builds. 💬 Carr’s message was clear: “We’re going to focus on outcomes, not process to nowhere.” It’s a call to action to build faster, smarter, and with a sharper focus on results. As someone working in broadband solutions, this kind of leadership matters. The FCC’s vision directly impacts how we deploy, invest, and grow. 📍Your thoughts? What do you think this means for your business or community? #Broadband #FCC #5G #Fiber #Telecom #Infrastructure #RegulatoryReform #DigitalEconomy #BuildAmerica

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There’s been a lot of conversation lately around broadband expansion, infrastructure funding, and grid modernization - and most of it focuses on speed, coverage, and timelines. What gets less attention is the part that comes before any of that works. Good maps. Good data. Good questions. From a GIS and solutions architecture perspective, the difference between a project that scales and one that struggles usually shows up long before the first dollar is spent or the first mile is built. Where the data is incomplete. Where assumptions replace field reality. Where decisions get made without spatial context. Broadband, utilities, and physical infrastructure don’t fail because people don’t care - they fail because complexity gets underestimated. That’s why I enjoy this work. GIS isn’t just visualization; it’s how we reduce uncertainty, defend decisions, and build systems that crews, planners, and communities can actually rely on. With so much investment and momentum happening right now, getting the foundation right matters more than ever. The work before the work is what makes everything else possible.

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💡 The Value of Patience and Partnership in Broadband In the broadband world, progress isn’t just measured in miles of fiber, it’s built through partnerships. Working with vendors, contractors and stakeholders can test your patience at times, delays, material shortages, or the occasional miscommunication are part of the process. But I’ve learned that how we navigate those moments defines the long-term success of our projects. In all the years I’ve worked in this industry, I’ve learned that when a vendor rolls out something new, whether it’s an exciting software upgrade, a new piece of field equipment, or a much-needed bug fix, it’s not always sunshine and roses. Even with the best intentions and due diligence, very rarely in broadband does it all go perfectly to plan. Supporting your vendors during these times is critical. It not only helps them deliver better outcomes, but it also strengthens the bond between both sides. When you take the time to work with your vendors,not against them, you build trust, respect, and accountability. That patience often pays dividends: quicker turnaround on future projects, better communication, and a shared sense of ownership in the final result. At the end of the day, strong relationships drive strong networks. Fiber connects our communities, but mutual respect and collaboration connect the people who make it all possible. 🤝 Here’s to the partners, suppliers, and vendors who stick it out with us through the growing pains, your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed. 😉 #Broadband #Telecommunications #Leadership #VendorManagement #FiberOptics #Collaboration #RespectInBusiness

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🚨 The CPUC has released Version 2 of its BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process FAQ. This document is a must-read for broadband providers, infrastructure developers, and community leaders preparing to apply under BEAD 2.0. 📌 It covers: Prequalification + Project Application deadlines New NTIA requirements Scoring and selection criteria Minimum coverage thresholds …and more. 💻 Download the FAQ and position your team for success: https://lnkd.in/gtArjhRp

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This interview accurately represents the hearts of the people involved in the New Mexico Fiber Network. These efforts will improve all of New Mexico, not just the most populous areas. While fiber connections to residential areas increase the value of properties, NMFN increases the opportunities for all of New Mexico.

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🚜 What BEAD funding does not cover, but operators must still manage BEAD funding is accelerating broadband buildout across underserved regions. It supports planning, construction, and deployment, helping networks reach more communities faster. But once sites are live, a different responsibility begins. BEAD funding does not cover day-to-day operations. Power systems, environmental conditions, site access, alarms, and ongoing maintenance all remain the operator’s responsibility long after construction is complete. Without an operational layer in place, these demands can quickly increase costs and strain teams. Asentria addresses this gap with the SiteBoss® Site Controller, designed to support the operational phase of BEAD-funded networks. SiteBoss provides remote visibility and control at the site level, helping operators manage infrastructure efficiently after the buildout ends. Operational readiness beyond funding means: ✅ Continuous visibility into remote site conditions ✅ Faster issue resolution without excessive site visits ✅ Scalable operations as networks expand Long-term success depends not only on building networks, but on operating them reliably every day. 📍 Read more about how Asentria supports operations beyond BEAD-funded buildouts in our blog: https://lnkd.in/d9wVe2wq #Asentria #SiteBoss #BEAD #BroadbandDeployment

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Telecom project management isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s fast-paced, high-pressure, and full of moving parts. Timelines shift, vendors delay, clients pivot—and through it all, success depends on one thing: the team. No one brings a telecom project across the finish line alone. It takes: 🔥 Passionate leadership that sees the big picture and motivates through the chaos 🤝 Vendors who adapt and collaborate 📋 Project managers who juggle priorities, people, and problems 👥 Stakeholders who stay engaged and solution-focused But even with the best team, persistence is everything. You follow up again. Rework the plan again. Keep going when it would be easier to stop. In telecom, momentum is earned—one solved issue, one resolved ticket, one win at a time. To every leader, teammate, and partner who stays in the trenches and pushes forward: this is what it takes—and this is why we succeed. #TelecomProjectManagement #LeadershipInTech #Persistence #Teamwork #PMlife #TelecomLeadership #ProjectSuccess #TechIndustry

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In communities along the North Coast of California, our joint-build partner Vero Networks is working to build more than 23 miles of broadband fiber, spanning from Eureka to Trinidad. #MiddleMileBroadbandInitiative #TeamCDT #BuildingCA Liana Bailey-Crimmins

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More from the Connected Minnesota event--this time regarding how to allocate the left over funds from BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program), that was not given to broadband operators! Apparently New Mexico has a state led ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) initiative, so that people who are economically challenged can have the same access to suitable broadband. This helps adoption so every citizen can be fully apart of the American economy and better enjoy their leisure time. It helps people building fiber justify builds for operators because of increasing take rates for residential customers. Overall seems like a win for everyone involved! Would the leftover funds from BEAD be best served re-creating the ACP on a state level? Or are there any other ideas? #BEAD #ACP #Fiber #internet

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Broadband expansion takes more than construction crews. Behind every successful fiber project is strong planning, accurate field data, and efficient permitting. At J2 TeleDesigns LLC, we support telecom providers and contractors with services that help keep projects moving from planning to closeout, including: • OSP Engineering • Fiber Design • Fielding & OSP Walkouts • Permitting & Permit Drafting • Make-Ready Engineering • Pole Loading Analysis • Desktop Surveys • As-Builts & Closeout Documentation As BEAD and rural broadband projects continue expanding across the Southeast, fast turnaround times and reliable communication are more important than ever. We’re proud to support teams building the future of connectivity. #OSP #Fiber #Telecom #Broadband #FTTH #FiberDesign #OSPEngineering #BEAD #RDOF #Telecommunications

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Broadband demand is accelerating, but are your plans keeping pace? When providers rely on disconnected spreadsheets and static maps, planning often lags behind. Errors accumulate, costs rise, and deadlines slip precisely when you need to scale. It's time to move beyond disconnected systems. By turning your data into a single source of truth, you ensure every team sees the same network in real time, from the office to the field. Stop fighting your tools and start building a foundation for growth. Explore the guide to better network planning: https://hubs.ly/Q040T3nx0 #Broadband #Fiberoptics #GIS #Networkplanning #GEOGRAPH

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𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon don’t usually move together. So when they do, it’s worth paying attention. Their newly announced joint venture is being framed as a way to eliminate rural “dead zones.” There’s truth there, but it’s not the whole story. For years, rural coverage has been a losing equation. High infrastructure costs. Low population density. Regulation, subsidies, and good PR. Three separate networks competing in places where one barely makes financial sense. Smaller carriers try - some succeed for a time, but the big players almost always win. This venture is an acknowledgment of that reality. Instead of duplicating infrastructure, the carriers are aligning around a shared coverage layer. One that could extend service into areas where traditional deployments struggle to justify themselves. But the real catalyst may not be rural America. It may be space. T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink brought direct-to-device satellite connectivity into the public conversation. Since then, SpaceX has moved aggressively - acquiring spectrum, gaining regulatory approvals, and building toward a broader DTC capability. People ask if they’re building a phone. Starlink and Musk say they are not. They don’t need to. What they are building is a coverage layer that doesn’t rely on towers. One that can reach devices where terrestrial networks cannot - and over time, one that could begin to resemble a network in its own right. That’s the shift. The major carriers are not reacting to what Starlink is today. They’re reacting to what it has already accomplished, and more importantly, what it could become. Because if a third party controls the fallback layer - the connection that works when everything else doesn’t - they control something critical. This matters for more than consumers. For rural environments, whether voice, SMS, data, or IoT and M2M, connectivity has always been about trade-offs. Coverage vs cost. Performance vs reliability. Direct-to-device satellite won’t replace LTE or 5G for heavy deployments. It doesn’t need to. Its value is as a safety net. A low-bandwidth, persistent path that keeps systems visible, manageable, and recoverable when the primary network disappears. Remote infrastructure. Utilities. Agriculture. Construction. Public safety. These are the environments where “dead zones” aren’t just inconvenient. They’re operational risks. The joint venture signals a shift in how the industry thinks about those risks - not as gaps to compete over, but as coverage to control. This isn’t just about extending service. It’s about defining who owns the next layer of connectivity, and ensuring that control stays within the traditional telecom ecosystem.

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FTTH projects don’t fail because rollout is too slow. It suffers from a lack of discipline. Rollout strategies now prioritize pace over control. Speed metrics dominate most industry discussions. Structural discipline appears only after problems emerge. In practice, this leads to a predictable sequence: • Early rollout phases show rapid progress and visibility • Planning, supervision, and documentation lag execution • Operational pressure increases as volume grows • Errors accumulate below the surface • Delays, escalations, and remediation become unavoidable    Building fast is not inherently problematic. Maintaining control while building fast is. At Dela Networks, Discipline is an operational requirement, not a correction. It is built into planning, supervision and handover. If you’re facing scale before structure, this is a conversation worth having.

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FTTX Work Possibilities and Current Situation in the U.S. The U.S. FTTX (Fiber to the X) landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth. With over 50 million fiber broadband connections as of 2024 and a projected $125 billion investment in fiber infrastructure by 2026, demand for skilled professionals is at an all-time high. Driven by government-backed programs like BEAD ($42.5B) and RDOF ($20.4B), the push for high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas has created a surge in FTTX projects across all 50 states. This growth opens diverse job roles in fiber planning, design, GIS mapping, splicing, and civil construction. The industry currently faces a shortage of over 200,000 skilled telecom technicians, signaling strong opportunities for trained professionals in fiber deployment, especially those with knowledge in GPON, ArcGIS, and network architecture. FTTX is not just a trend—it's the foundation of America's digital future. #FTTX #FiberJobs #BroadbandExpansion #TelecomCareers #GIS #FiberToTheHome #5GReady #USInfrastructure #BEAD #DigitalDivide

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Good news for broadband equity! The NTIA has approved final BEAD proposals for 18 states and territories. Ultimately, this will open billions in funding to build out high-speed internet in underserved areas. Here’s what infrastructure partners need to know… With BEAD funding approvals making steps forward, broadband design and build projects are on the horizon. A partner with permitting, regulatory and project-management expertise, like eX², will be critical in supporting these projects through deployment and beyond. Learn more about the update, including what regulatory hurdles might lay ahead: https://lnkd.in/gEexiQaX

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A good LLD should show how the network will actually be built, accessed, permitted, and maintained not just the shortest path from point A to point B. At Texas Fiber Design Group, we support FTTH and OSP teams with buildable fiber design, permitting support, redlines, revisions, and construction print packages that help keep projects moving. Clear design. Permit-ready prints. Stronger networks. #OSPDesign #LowLevelDesign #FTTH #FiberDesign #FiberConstruction #TelecomConstruction #PermitSupport #OSPEngineering #FiberOptic #TexasFiberDesignGroup

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BEAD post-award execution isn’t a single workflow. It’s a system. State broadband offices will manage thousands of moving parts at once: construction progress, reimbursements, compliance evidence, location-level verification, exceptions, and audits, all happening in parallel. The states that stay in control are building durable post-award systems early to standardize work, preserve decision history, and carry execution forward even as teams and conditions change. Clayton Wooley outlines five principles that consistently show up in long-running programs that hold steady under scale and scrutiny. Worth the read for any state getting ready for BEAD execution: https://lnkd.in/gH8fSn8y

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One thing I keep hearing from state broadband leaders is this: the real challenge in BEAD isn't getting to award—it's maintaining control and context as programs scale over the next 4-8 years. The programs that succeed long-term are the ones that build durable systems early. Not just software, and not just consultants, but the combination: embedded expertise working through systems that preserve institutional knowledge as teams change and programs grow. At Ready, our team brings the expertise and execution discipline, and ARC provides the system that carries it forward. Together, they strengthen state teams, preserve context, and support durable execution at scale, not replace the people doing the work. Drawing from deployments across multiple states, I've seen what separates programs that stay in control from those that lose momentum. It comes down to five principles that address the realities of multi-year execution. I wrote about them here, with the goal of helping state teams think through what "staying in control" actually requires: https://lnkd.in/g3eAcNyX

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