Craig Thompson

Broadband expansion is more than fiber deployment. It takes strong engineering, utility coordination, and execution to keep projects moving. As BEAD funding continues driving connectivity nationwide, S&M Utility Services is proud to support telecom and utility partners through: ⚡ Utility Engineering 📡 Telecom & Power Delivery Support 📝 Permitting & Joint Use Coordination 🗺️ GIS & Field Services 📊 Project Management Support Helping build the infrastructure behind a more connected future. #BEAD #BroadbandExpansion #Telecom #UtilityEngineering #Fiber #GIS #Infrastructure #PowerDelivery

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Scalable fiber infrastructure is essential as AI workloads require reduced latency and increased throughput. Deployment may be hampered by issues like high capital costs, lengthy permitting processes, and a lack of personnel. Fiber deployment across the country can be accelerated by using tactics like infrastructure sharing, standardizing permitting procedures, and implementing open-access models. High-density cabling and sophisticated FTTx architectures enable scalable, space-efficient networks that can manage growing AI data demands. 👉Read the entire article to learn more about creating fiber networks that can be AI-ready https://brnw.ch/21wWtL7 #DataCenter #FTTx #ConnectivityThatMatters

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25 % of voice network engineers are expected to retire in the next five years. Some service providers are already seeing the effects: as long‑time engineers step down, the internal OSS expertise they depended on is no longer there. Unless that knowledge is actively transferred, critical voice‑system workflows become more prone to errors and see slower incident recovery when the person who understood those systems inside‑out is no longer around.

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Big changes are coming to U.S. broadband permitting and that’s good news for deployment teams. With programs like BEAD accelerating builds and new policies reducing permitting friction, the race to expand broadband access is on. But faster permitting only works when the field data behind it is accurate, timely, and complete. That’s where D8Acapture helps teams move at the speed of today’s projects by giving them the tools to deliver high-quality pole data that supports faster approvals and better decisions. As the landscape evolves, we’re here to help our partners and customers stay ahead. 🔗 Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q03rGszj0 Smarter, Faster & Seamlessly Simple. #BEAD #BroadbandFunding #BEADProgram #RuralConnectivity #DigitalDivide #DigitalEquity #D8Acapture #PoleDataCapture #FieldData #OSPFieldStaking #PoleAudit #InfrastructureTech #OTMR #FieldDataSolutions #PoleLoading

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Reliable broadband gets talked about a lot, but is rarely defined. For businesses and households, it comes down to consistency. No drop in key moments. No slowdown when it matters. No second thought when connecting. At Aptus, reliability is not treated as a feature. It is the baseline expectation. That is where real value is built. Learn more: https://aptus.ie/business/ #AptusBusinessIreland #BusinessIreland #BusinessBroadband #ConsistencyComesEasy

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The 5G experience is increasingly tied to mid-band scarcity, making large, harmonized channels the defining issue of the 5G-to-6G transition. Recent FCC action on Upper C-Band and AWS-3 signals a renewed U.S. spectrum pipeline, while early 6G work points to larger contiguous blocks and interest in FR3. Sharing will help at the margins, but predictable licensed mid-band remains essential. https://lnkd.in/gzYtUprN

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The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is entering an active phase in states across the country. ISPs, utilities, and contractors are finalizing subgrantee agreements and beginning to scope deployments. The conversation at most planning tables is about fiber routing, permitting, and workforce. Those are real challenges. But there's a supply chain question that deserves more attention. When dozens of projects in the same region go into procurement simultaneously, are material lead times already priced into your schedule? Fiber, optics, and hardware components that were readily available at the planning stage may face availability pressure once regional deployments converge. The teams best positioned to execute BEAD projects on schedule are the ones locking in supplier relationships and managing material pipelines now, not at the kickoff meeting. Epic works with broadband teams to align inventory and fulfillment with deployment timelines. If BEAD is in your planning horizon, talk to our sales team today. #BEAD #broadband #equity #access #deployment

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🎯 Resume Tip for Telecom Pros! Don't just list what you DID, show the IMPACT you made. Instead of: 👎 "Installed fiber optic cable" Try: 👍 "Deployed 50+ miles of fiber infrastructure, connecting 200+ underserved households to high-speed internet" Instead of: 👎 "Managed construction projects" Try: 👍 "Led 15+ FTTH build projects from design to completion, delivering on-time and under budget while maintaining zero safety incidents" Numbers tell your story better than job duties ever could. Quantify your wins! 💪 Pro tips: 💫 ✅ Use metrics: miles deployed, homes connected, projects completed ✅ Highlight safety records and certifications ✅ Show how your work impacted communities or company goals ✅ Connect your experience to BEAD Program priorities (rural connectivity, workforce development, digital equity) The broadband industry is BOOMING, and State Broadband Offices are actively hiring. Make sure your resume shows why YOU'RE the solution they're looking for. 🥇 Need help positioning yourself for broadband opportunities? That's literally what we do. 👏

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We’re proud to announce that FiberLight’s high-capacity fiber network is now powering businesses and institutions across Amarillo. Our robust infrastructure offers reliable, scalable connectivity — exactly what modern enterprises need to thrive. What this means for Amarillo: * Businesses now have access to fiber-optic backbone with the bandwidth, reliability and low latency required for cloud computing, telework, video collaboration, data transfer and more. * Educational institutions and public-sector organizations — including the schools in our region — can leverage advanced, dark-fiber connectivity to expand digital learning, secure communications and remote services. *Local businesses get a scalable, future-ready platform — with access to serviceable data centers, fiber miles, and countless “pre-qualified” buildings ready to connect. At FiberLight, we believe that connectivity isn’t just about speed — it’s about enabling growth, innovation, and opportunity. For Amarillo, this network lays the foundation for economic development, smart infrastructure, and a digitally empowered community. If you’re in Amarillo and ready to transform your network — reach out. We’re here to help you connect, scale, and succeed. #FiberLight #AmarilloTX #FiberNetwork #DigitalInfrastructure #Connectivity #BusinessGrowth #CloudReady #DarkFiber

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Bandwidth Hawk: Fiber continues to dominate BEAD deployments. With proposed deployment plans now mostly submitted, fiber is still a big winner in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. With BEAD proposals now largely submitted, representing $18 billion of the $41.6 billion appropriated for their use by Congress, fiber has still emerged as the technology of choice for over 2.2 million (at least 64%) of broadband serviceable locations (BSLs). Two Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite providers snagged at least 770,000 BSLs (22%), terrestrial wireless collected 340,000 BSLs (almost 10%), and hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) picked up 35,000 BSLs (1%). Meanwhile, California still has until November 21 to propose how they’ll allocate funds to reach their BSLs. The cost in California is expected to be about 3% of the national total, even though California has more than a tenth of the nation’s population. The reason? California had more connected premises in the first place. There are also some definitional uncertainties that suggest fiber’s lead is even greater. More on that as well, below. In terms of funds allocated, Comcast (roughly $800 million as of mid-September) and AT&T (close to $600 million) seem to lead the pack. Ranked by premises served, SpaceX is the clear leader with Kuiper not far behind. SpaceX charges more (typically $1,500 per BSL versus roughly $1,000 per BSL for Kuiper), but SpaceX actually exists. Kuiper, however, is not operational at the scale of the BSLs it has won in state proposals – around 300,000. Thus, the national pattern holds true for the federal government’s per-premises cost to supply broadband – about $5,000 per premise, and under $7,000 per premise served by fiber. That’s in line with other federal broadband grant programs, such as ReConnect at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But the average hides a wide range in average costs by state and federal territory. That range is emphatically not due exclusively to how many premises are served by fiber (see tables below). Interpreting the numbers The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) defines a BSL as a residential or business structure that has or can potentially receive fixed broadband service. BSLs are ranked for BEAD eligibility in tiers on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband map, but the tiers can (as most readers know) be challenged by interested parties. Unserved BSLs are those that lack reliable service at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. BSLs with some access but broadband service less than 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream are “underserved.” #FibreOpticInstallations #FibreOptics #AxisTech #Axis_Technical https://zurl.co/xKLTp

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📡 EWA Broadband Expansion! The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) is advocating for expanded 900 MHz broadband opportunities for utilities following an FCC announcement. They stress the necessity of balancing incumbent rights with broadband access improvement for critical industries. **Key Takeaways:** EWA is pushing for better spectrum efficiency, welcomes the forthcoming Report and Order, and emphasizes the importance of effective spectrum management in advancing enterprise technologies. #900MHz #broadband #EWA #FCC #criticalinfrastructure #spectrummanagement #enterprisewireless #criticalcommunications

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Today’s service call reminder: broadband troubleshooting is not always just light levels, routers, and speed tests. Sometimes you crawl under a house expecting to find a fiber issue… and instead find the unofficial crawlspace security guard. 🐍 This guy was large enough that I’m pretty sure he needed his own account number and static IP. Huge credit to the field teams who go into crawlspaces, attics, mud, heat, cold, and apparently snake territory to keep customers connected. There is no training video that fully prepares you for this part of the job. Sprout Fiber: delivering fast fiber internet… and occasionally negotiating right-of-way with wildlife. RevNet Technologies NRECA Fiber Broadband Association Sprout Fiber Internet Cullman Electric Cooperative #FiberInternet #Broadband #FieldTechs #ServiceCall #TelecomLife #SproutFiber #RuralBroadband #NotInTheJobDescription

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Great Networks aren’t built by Vendors — they’re built by Engineers and Execution Partners. Parallel Power works alongside Network Engineers to deliver: • DC Power Plant Installations • Battery Replacements & Upgrades • Load Testing & Remediation • Critical Infrastructure Support • Emergency Response Services No fluff. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just clean work, documented processes, and reliable delivery. If you support Critical Infrastructure and need a dependable Power Partner — we’re ready. #dcpower #battery #salesandservice

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The Apprenticeship Hall brings structure to workforce growth: training, support, and hiring alignment in one place, built to connect talent to telecom careers. https://lnkd.in/ep2ue2YE #ApprenticeshipHall #WorkforceSystems #TelecomJobs #TalentDevelopment #CareerPathway #HiringSolutions #CollabFirst

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Our CEO, David Stehlin shared his insights in the latest issue of Broadband Library on one of the most urgent challenges in our industry: building a skilled, standards-aligned broadband workforce. At Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), we’re committed to advancing the training, collaboration, and technical foundation needed to support Broadband deployments nationwide.   TIA is proud to be part of the conversation shaping how we prepare the next generation of broadband Professionals 🔗 https://lnkd.in/erN-F4HC   #BroadbandLibrary #WorkforceDevelopment #Connectivity #BEAD #TIA #TelecomStandards #BroadbandWorkforce #DigitalInfrastructure #SCTE

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