Utilities / Electric Cooperatives
Bridge the digital divide for your members
Rural electric cooperatives can provide essential broadband services community-wide so co-op members can work, learn, and thrive in the digital age.
Electric co-ops are uniquely positioned to provide sustainable and equitable internet services, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality internet services, regardless of their income or location.
Challenges
Electric co-ops face challenges bringing broadband access to rural areas
Trouble gaining clarity on various funding options at the state, federal, and private levels, and receiving guidance on making prudent investments.
Maximizing the potential of a small electric co-op team can be difficult without experienced outside guidance and support.
Struggling to discover specific solutions that perfectly align with your members' needs based on your serving area, population density, terrain, and competitive landscape.
Essential Service
Rural broadband is as essential as electricity
Explosive growth in at-home telecommuting
Since 2005, the number of work-at-home employees has witnessed a staggering 103 percent growth. Become the essential provider for internet services for this growting demographic.
Broadband for remote educators and students
With easy access to tech-based learning resources, students and educators can conveniently utilize online homework platforms and seamlessly access education opportunities from remote locations.
Provide critical patient care to remote locations
Rural broadband provided by electric cooperatives is the backbone for many at-home health aides and devices—keeping more patients healthy from anywhere.
A top must-have feature
Access to fiber-optic broadband significantly enhances home values, with homebuyers consistently ranking it as one of their top must-have features.
Accessible to everyone
Enable everyone—from small businesses to farms with the ability to leverage the most advanced and innovative technologies available in the market today.
Case Studies
Customer successes
Featured Perspectives and Insights
Rural electric co-ops have partnered with Calix to bridge the digital divide
Online curriculum
Broadband Academy
The journey to becoming a Broadband Service Provider can feel overwhelming. Broadband Academy's online curriculum guides your path to providing life-changing connectivity for your members. You don't need to be a Calix customer to enroll.
Fundamentals
Broadband services fundamentals
About this learning path:
Students will be introduced to the five stages of building a successful broadband business: fund, design, build, operate, market. Lessons cover everything from how broadband works and types of connectivity to important considerations in government and private funding. Students will learn about key factors in network design so they can confidently work with designers and engineers. Build and operate lessons include topics like outside plant construction, effectively monitoring the build phase, common operating challenges, and the importance of customer service.
Courses:
Broadband Services Fundamentals
Funding for Broadband Services
Design for Broadband Services
Build for Broadband Services
Operate for Broadband Services
Electric Cooperatives
Understanding broadband specifics Electric Co-ops
About this course:
In this course, students will learn about specific considerations that electric cooperatives should be aware of when planning to build broadband infrastructure and operate a broadband business. This includes methods of owning and operating a broadband network, advantages and disadvantages of partnering with third-party entities, how broadband infrastructure can improve your electric operations, and tips for running a competitive business. After completing this course, students will be ready to begin working on broadband projects for electric cooperatives.
Lessons:
Why Electric Co-ops are Uniquely Positioned to Provide Broadband Services
Options for Owning and Operating a Broadband Network
How Broadband Infrastructure Can Help Improve Your Electric Operations
Running a Competitive Broadband Business
The Importance of Data Insights
Trending topics
Electric co-ops news and insights
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