Imagine your co-op not just delivering power but lighting up the digital future of your entire community. Where every member, from farm to small town, has access to fast, reliable fiber broadband.
The time to turn that vision into reality is now.
Bringing fiber broadband to your co-op members is a transformational step but it’s not one you should take alone. Choosing the right broadband partner can determine the long-term success of your project.
The right partner will understand not just fiber networks, but co-op principles, rural challenges, and the importance of community trust.
This blog will guide you through the key factors to consider when choosing a broadband partner:
Why Partnerships Matter
Building a fiber broadband network is more than just laying cable.
Choosing the right partner means aligning with a team that understands the unique challenges of rural America and the cooperative way of doing business.
A strong partnership brings expertise, shared vision, and accountability. It helps your co-op avoid costly mistakes, navigate funding complexities, and deliver a network that truly serves your community’s needs.
In short, the right partner isn’t just a vendor. They’re an extension of your co-op’s mission, helping you light the way to a connected future.
Understanding Your Co-op’s Vision
Before choosing a partner, clearly define what success looks like for your broadband project.
Define Long-Term Goals
Start by outlining your “why”. Are you focused on economic development, education, healthcare access, or member satisfaction? A good broadband partner should take time to understand your community’s needs and align their strategies with your goals.
The Role of Broadband in Your Mission
For many co-ops, broadband is more than a business opportunity. Your broadband partner should share your values and view broadband as a tool for improving quality of life, not just a bottom-line business.
Experience That Aligns with Co-op Values
Not all broadband partners understand rural values and lifestyle. Look for a team that respects local ownership and has a proven history of working with rural communities.
Look for Partners Who Understand Electric Co-operatives
Electric co-ops aren’t like investor-owned utilities and broadband isn’t like any utility project. Your partner should know the co-op model inside and out.
Prioritize Experience in Rural Fiber Deployment
Rural broadband is complex. Terrain, sparse populations, funding requirements and long buildouts present unique challenges. Choose a partner with proven experience delivering fiber in rural America.
Commitment to Members and Community
Your members are at the heart of this effort. The right partner will help you improve their quality of life.
Ask How the Partner Supports Members
The benefits of broadband are personal and have the power to change lives. Your partner should help you engage members, build trust, and communicate value at every stage, from pre-construction education to post-launch adoption.
Local Ownership and Control
Retaining local ownership and control is central to the co-op model. Your partner should support, not override, your leadership.
Ask how they’ll keep your board and membership informed and involved throughout the process.
Technology and Infrastructure Capabilities
Future-proofing is non-negotiable. Your partner should deliver a 100% fiber-to-the-home solution built for longevity and scalability to handle your community’s needs now and for decades to come.
Scalable, Future-Proof Networks
Your members deserve a network that won’t be obsolete in five years. Choose a partner that builds infrastructure with the bandwidth to meet tomorrow’s demands.
Integration with Existing Systems
The best broadband builds take advantage of your existing assets. Your partner should be able to integrate fiber infrastructure with your electric systems to optimize cost, speed, and operational efficiency.
A Track Record You Can Trust
Look for a partner with end-to-end experience, from feasibility studies and funding to construction and operations. The deeper the experience, the more confidently you can move forward with your build.
Look for References and Case Studies
Ask for the specifics. Who have they worked with? What were the results? A reliable partner should be able to showcase successful co-op deployments, not just generic experience.
Choose Conexon
Here’s why co-ops across rural America trust Conexon’s experienced team to bring fiber broadband home:
Expertise in Co-op Broadband Builds
Conexon has decades of combined experience working exclusively with electric cooperatives, helping them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of rural broadband deployment.
Tailored Solutions
We don’t do cookie-cutter. Every community is different, and our strategies are customized to align with your mission, member priorities, and long-term vision.
Proven Success
From feasibility studies to full network operations, Conexon has supported dozens of co-ops across the country.
Committed to Long-Term Growth
Our partnership doesn’t end when your network goes live. We offer ongoing operational support, strategic planning, and training.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Conexon today to learn how we can help your co-op build a future-proof broadband network that serves your community for generations to come.
FAQs
1. What makes Conexon the right partner for electric cooperatives building fiber broadband networks?
Conexon specializes in working with electric cooperatives and understands their mission, infrastructure, and community relationships. Our team includes cooperative veterans and telecom experts who’ve successfully deployed gigabit fiber to millions of rural Americans—making us a uniquely qualified, strategic partner.
2. How does Conexon reduce the risk and complexity of building a fiber network?
Conexon offers an end-to-end model that covers everything from feasibility studies and funding strategies to design, construction, and operations. We help minimize risk by handling the complex stuff—like regulatory compliance and grant applications—so co-ops can focus on serving their members, not becoming network operators and telecom experts overnight.
3. Does Conexon offer financial support or funding assistance?
Yes. Conexon is a powerhouse when it comes to securing federal and state broadband funding. Our team has helped cooperatives win over $2 billion in funding through federal funding programs like RDOF and BEAD. Our experienced grant and regulatory team maximizes financial opportunities and ensures co-ops are well-positioned to compete and succeed.
4. How is Conexon’s approach different from other fiber broadband consultants or vendors?
Conexon doesn’t just consult—we partner. Our mission is aligned with electric cooperatives: bringing affordable, high-speed internet to underserved rural communities. We’re not selling a product—we’re building long-term, sustainable networks that cooperatives can own and operate with confidence.
5. Can Conexon support our co-op after the network is built
Absolutely. Whether you need ongoing customer service, network operations, billing support, or even help running your new broadband subsidiary, Conexon can step in. We can offer as much—or as little—support as you need to run a successful broadband business.