Launching a rural broadband network is a big move. As electric cooperatives step up to bridge the digital divide, one question looms large at the very start:
“Can we actually do this?”
A feasibility study will answer that question. But it’s not just a box to check before applying for grants or pitching the project to your board. It’s the roadmap that guides your entire initiative.
Done right, it shows where the demand is, what the network will cost, how to fund it, and whether your co-op is equipped to pull to off the financial and operational undertaking.
At Conexon, we’ve helped dozens of co-ops build successful fiber businesses from the ground up. This guide will walk you through what your co-op needs to consider before getting started.
What is a Feasibility Study?
A feasibility study isn’t just about finding out if your co-op can handle broadband network deployment. It’s about planning how to do it right and ensuring a return on investment.
From understanding your market to modelling your buildout and funding strategy, a thorough feasibility process gives you data-driven confidence to move forward.
At Conexon, we want to help ensure your success, and a feasibility study is the first step to making sure your project gets started on the right foot.
Our comprehensive feasibility study analyzes every critical aspect, from your cooperative’s financial situation to infrastructure requirements, to ensure what you’re building is realistic.
With a focus on a multi-year financial forecast, we lay out the path to success based on accurate and up-to-date data.
Key Questions a Feasibility Study Should Answer
A feasibility study gives you the insights you need in order to answer the big questions, such as:
Is this broadband project financially viable?
With a detailed multi--year financial forecast, we make sure you know exactly where you stand, now and in the future.
What’s the best network design for your community?
We help you select the most effective broadband design and technology to ensure your project is built for both efficiency and scalability.
How can we fund this project?
Our team evaluates all potential funding sources, from federal grants to state and local programs, and provides a solid plan for financing.
The Data You’ll Need
To get the best results, you need comprehensive insight. Conexon helps you gather and analyze the data you need to make informed decisions including:
Financial Data
We look at current budgets, historical statements, and future projections to help map a path to success that works for you.
Demographic and Economic Data
We compare the communities you serve to other successful electric co-op fiber markets to ensure you’re building in the right areas, marketing to the right subscriber base, and selecting price points that work for your members.
Technical Data
We measure and analyze key metrics covering everything from network design to integration so your network can easily scale and grow with demand.
Technical Considerations
Building broadband is about much more than just laying fiber. Rural broadband technology and infrastructure must be able to handle tomorrow’s needs so communities don’t get left behind now or in the future.
Our feasibility study considers:
- Smart Grid capabilities - including network capacity and design costs analysis.
- Network Design - Our experts provide recommendations for scalable, cost-effective FTTH network design.
- Technology Selection - We ensure that your technology choices align with both current and future needs.
The Role of Partnerships
We’ve built a solid reputation on partnerships. As Tim Johnson from Otsego Electric Cooperative in New York points out, understanding costs and choosing the right vendors is essential to securing rural broadband funding:
“Do your homework through feasibility studies and talk to a variety of vendors to truly understand the cost of rural builds. It’s smart to estimate conservative take rates, but there is the possibility that those numbers will be exceeded.
“It’s a win-win for everyone if broadband can be managed properly. That’s what we’re seeing thanks to our partnerships with Conexon.”
What Comes Next?
Once your feasibility study is complete, we help you move forward and guide you every step of the way, including:
Financial Guidance
We assist with identifying and securing the funding you need to make your project a reality.
Architecture Recommendations
We provide clear, actionable guidance on the most efficient network design for your project.
Regulatory Support
We provide expert advice on navigating federal regulations and overcoming any challenges that arise.
How can Conexon help?
Conexon has built a reputation for delivering successful broadband projects to rural communities, providing high speed internet infrastructure that meet the unique needs of cooperatives.
With decades of experience, our team, many of whom are co-op veterans, works alongside you to ensure that your broadband deployment is a long-term success.
From comprehensive feasibility studies to expert advice on every stage of your project, we’re here to make sure your broadband build is done right, the first time.
Ready to explore what’s possible? Contact our team to start your feasibility journey.