Electric co-operatives have powered the homes, farms, and businesses of rural America for many years. Today, another kind of connection is just as essential as electricity: fiber broadband.
Rural families, students, and entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to choose between the life they love and the digital access they need. And now they don’t have to.
Electric co-ops already have what it takes to close the digital divide. They have the infrastructure, the trust of their members, and the determination to get the job done.
This blog is your guide for how co-ops can leverage the infrastructure they’ve already built, and the relationships they’ve already earned, to deliver high-speed fiber broadband to rural America.
The Co-op Advantage in Broadband Deployment
With infrastructure already in place and trusted relationships in their communities, co-ops have the tools, trust, and the tenacity to bridge the digital divide where big providers can’t or won’t.
Here’s how that advantage comes to life:
Utilizing Existing Infrastructure
Electric co-ops don’t have to start from zero to bring broadband to their communities. Because co-ops already own their own electric poles, they can reduce or even eliminate one of the biggest hurdles facing traditional providers.
While other providers might wait months for pole access, and incur steep fees, co-ops can plan, schedule, and move at a faster pace. That means fewer delays and fewer surprises.
But the advantages go beyond the poles. Co-ops also own ducts, conduits, and right of ways that are already mapped, maintained, and ready to be used for broadband.
And let’s not forget one of the most important assets: as established firms with stable revenue, electric co-ops can access low-interest financing to fund broadband projects.
At Conexon, we help co-ops tap into every one of these advantages. Our broadband model is designed around what co-ops already have, not what they need to buy. The result? A smarter, faster, and more affordable path to fiber.
Dual Purpose Infrastructure
The same fiber network that delivers high-speed internet to homes can also modernize electric operations. Co-ops can use fiber to enable smart grid technologies and improve outage response times, enhance system monitoring, and reduce operational costs. It’s one investment with two returns.
Using In-House Teams
Many co-ops already employ the skilled technicians that other providers need to hire. By training or cross-skilling existing teams, co-ops can reduce labor costs and create local broadband jobs to keep talent and investment in the community.
Community Trust and Engagement
Electric co-ops were built on trust. This trust runs deep and is what sets co-ops apart from traditional providers. When a co-op says it’s bringing fiber to the community, people believe it. Why? Because they’ve already seen what co-ops can do.
We’ve seen how this relationship leads to stronger community buy-ins, faster adoption rates, and higher satisfaction. When fiber comes from the co-op, it comes with a reputation for reliability and a legacy of getting the job done.
How Conexon Supports Co-ops
When a co-op decides to bring broadband to its members, it needs a partner. We work shoulder to shoulder with co-ops, offering the tools, expertise, and boots-on-the-ground support needed to build successful fiber networks.
Feasibility Studies
Every successful broadband project starts with a smart plan. Our team leads detailed feasibility studies to look at your infrastructure, operational capacity, and financials.
Securing Funding
Broadband projects are expensive and Conexon helps co-ops access assistance. We have helped secure more than $2 billion in federal, state, and local broadband funding for co-op partners. We know the programs, we know what funders look for, and we know how to position your project for success.
Design, Construction, and Technical Support
Our team brings expertise in every phase of fiber deployment, from network design to system integration. We focus on quality, efficiency, and long-term performance.
Choose Conexon
When it comes to leveraging existing infrastructure to build broadband networks, co-ops face a choice. Navigate the process alone or partner with an expert who understands how to unlock the full potential of what you already own.
Partnering with Conexon means tapping into experience in maximizing co-op assets, poles, crews, and more, to build fiber networks faster, smarter, and cost-effectively. Here’s how working with the right partner makes all the difference:
Reduced Risk
With Conexon’s expertise you avoid costly mistakes that come with unfamiliar territory. We know the challenges of working with existing infrastructure and how to overcome them.
Maximized Success
Leveraging your co-ops assets is only part of the problem. Securing funding to make the project viable is the other. Conexon has helped co-ops secure over $2 billion in grants and loans by creating winning applications.
Resource Efficiency
You’ve already invested in poles, trucks, and your team. We help you make the most of your existing resources so you can manage costs and exceed expectations.
If you’re an electric co-op looking to bring quick, reliable fiber broadband to your rural community, get in touch to see how we can help.