Students in rural America are struggling to finish homework on a spotty internet connection. Farmers are waiting minutes for satellite maps to load. Small businesses are losing customers because payment terminals won’t connect.
As an electric co-operative you have the power to change this. But before breaking ground, you need to ask: is your co-op truly ready to lead the way and bring broadband to your community? At Conexon, we’ve helped hundreds of co-ops answer that question with confidence.
This readiness checklist will help evaluate where you stand and what steps you can take today to start building a network for your community tomorrow.
Do You Understand Your Community’s Needs?
Before you build a network, make sure you understand exactly what your members need and where the gaps truly are:
Conduct a Gap Analysis
Every electric co-op can benefit from even just a basic gap analysis of the area. While poor broadband access can be assumed, some parts of the service territory may have decent coverage while others are completely unserved. A gap analysis helps pinpoint the locations in need, without relying on assumptions.
Additionally, to qualify for grants, co-ops often need to prove areas are underserved or unserved. That means mapping, speed test data, and sometimes community feedback.
Understand the Local Demand
You know your members better than anyone and chances are, they’re already telling you they need better internet. Talk with residents, small businesses, schools, and healthcare providers. Where is internet access falling short? What would fast, reliable service change for them?
The more clearly you understand what your members need, the more confidently you can build a network that truly serves them.
Is There Strong Leadership and Board Support?
A successful broadband project starts at the top:
Unified Vision
Is your board aligned on the importance of bringing fiber broadband to your members? Success starts when leadership sees broadband not as a luxury, but as a modern utility as essential as electricity.
When the board and executive team share a clear vision, everything else follows. That vision includes understanding the long-term value fiber brings, not just to the co-op, but to local schools, farms, healthcare systems, and the families who rely on them every day.
Make space for strategic conversations, education, and alignment early. When everyone’s on the same page, you can move forward with confidence and purpose.
Is Your Infrastructure Ready to Support Fiber?
Your infrastructure is the backbone of your broadband network so it’s essential to know exactly what shape it’s in before you build.
Infrastructure Assessment
Before fiber can be deployed, your infrastructure needs to be ready. Start with a thorough review. Are poles structurally sound? Is spacing appropriate?
Accurate mapping will also help you know where everything is to avoid surprises, reduce costs, and speed up deployment.
Make-Ready Considerations
‘Make-ready’ refers to the work required to prepare poles and routes for fiber. This can include clearing vegetation, moving attachments, or replacing poles. These costs and timelines can add up quickly if not addressed early.
Understanding your make-ready needs ahead of time keeps your build on schedule and your budget on track. A solid assessment now can prevent delays later.
Do You Understand Your Financial Position?
The best fiber projects are built on a clear financial roadmap:
Business Case Modelling
Strong business planning builds trust with your board, your members, and your future customers. Start by modelling realistic take rates based on your community’s needs and interest.
Then, forecast your build costs, operating expenses, and breakeven point. A clear model will guide smarter decisions and help you stay on track.
Do You Have the Right Partners in Place?
Building a broadband network takes the right team. From funding, to designing, to deployment, you need strong players to cover all the bases.
Strategic Expertise
Broadband is a complex undertaking, so it helps to have a partner who’s been there before. From securing funding to designing a viable business model, experienced consultants, engineers, and project managers can help you move forward.
Look for partners, like Conexon, who understand rural co-ops, share your goals, and can guide you every step of the way.
Why Partnerships Matter
Working with experienced partners ensures your co-op can move faster, avoid costly missteps, and deliver real results for your members.
At Conexon, we’ve helped more than 350 electric cooperatives bring fiber broadband to life. Our team works exclusively with co-ops because we believe rural communities deserve world-class service too.
Whether you’re just exploring broadband or ready to start building, we’re here to help.
You’re Closer Than You Think
Launching a broadband project is about commitment, planning, and belief in the power of community. If your checklist reveals a few gaps, that’s okay. The first step is knowing what’s needed.
At Conexon, we specialize in turning electric co-ops into successful fiber broadband providers with a proven model, hands-on support, and a mission to connect every home and business in your service area.
Ready to elevate your community? Let’s talk. Reach out to Conexon today to learn more about how we can help your co-op bring high-speed fiber internet to your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do we get started bringing fiber internet to our community?
Getting started begins with a conversation. Conexon works closely with electric cooperatives and community leaders to assess your needs, develop a customized fiber-to-the-home strategy, and guide you through planning, funding, and construction. From feasibility studies to network design, we help you build a sustainable path to high-speed internet for your members.
2. How long does it take to launch a fiber broadband network
Timelines vary by region, size, and scope, but many co-ops begin construction within 6–9 months of planning, with the first members connected shortly after. Conexon’s experienced team streamlines each phase — from design to deployment — to get your network online as quickly and efficiently as possible.
3. Why should our cooperative own the fiber network instead of leasing it?
Ownership gives your co-op long-term control, revenue potential, and the ability to serve your members with the reliability and care they expect. Conexon’s model empowers co-ops to own the infrastructure, keeping economic and technological benefits local — just like with electric service.
4. Can our existing electric infrastructure support fiber optic lines
Yes, in most cases, your existing electric infrastructure is an ideal foundation for fiber deployment. Conexon specializes in designing fiber networks that leverage existing poles, rights-of-way, and grid layouts, which reduces costs and accelerates build times. We assess your system and handle the engineering needed to safely and efficiently add fiber to your network.
5. What kind of ongoing support does Conexon provide after the network is built?
The partnership doesn’t end once construction is completed. We offer continued support, including network management and customer service. We can also offer billing systems, and marketing support. Whether you need a fully managed system or simply have questions about how to grow your operations, our team is here to ensure your project succeeds.