It’s Thanksgiving time again and time to list those things in our industry for which I am thankful. As I’ve been talking to folks lately there is a lot of apprehension of what might come for the industry due a change in administration, but I still expect to be able to make a list of positive things this time next year.
Broadband Networks Being Built. A whole lot of folks got fast broadband for the first time this year. We sometimes get too focused on the big national grant programs like BEAD and forget that States and local governments have been making grants for rural broadband for several years, and many of those networks came to life in 2024. By my estimates, over $10 billion in grant funding was spent on broadband networks in 2024 from programs like RDOF, ReConnect, CAF II, Capital Projects Fund, ARPA (SLFRF), Tribal grants, and State grants not associated with ARPA. These grants primarily funded fiber and fixed wireless broadband projects.
Expanding Rural Broadband Options. Additionally, a huge number of rural homes got other new broadband options during the last year. For example, T-Mobile and Verizon enabled numerous rural cell towers with FWA cellular broadband, and customers lucky enough to live within a few miles of the towers got new affordable broadband. For much of the year Starlink had no waiting list for new customers, although I recently heard that there are waiting lists again in some places. I’ve talked to customers of these new services who are ecstatic about the difference that comes with better broadband.
New Emphasis on Digital Equity. I have been awed by the huge local efforts being made to tackle digital equity issues. There have always been local programs to help folks get computers, but across the country, there are huge numbers of local efforts to help people use broadband. Here at the end of the year, there is some trepidation about rumors of cut backs in federal funding for the effort. But a lot of these efforts don’t require federal funding. For example, a coalition of volunteers in western North Carolina developed a plan to get devices to the community that isn’t reliant on federal funding.
Price Competition. While far too many areas aren’t served by multiple ISPs, competitive areas are seeing serious price competition as cable companies, fiber overbuilders, and FWA carriers are competing for market share. Sadly, for everybody else, prices seem to be rising.
Foundations Come to Broadband. I’ve worked with half a dozen foundations and large non-profits during the year that have decided to put an emphasis on broadband, mostly for the neighborhoods and towns being left behind. While the nation has been concentrating on finding a rural broadband solution, these groups are looking at neighborhoods and towns where the primary issue is affordability.
Improved Cellular. Some time during the last year the cellular carriers have made wonderful improvements to the local cellular networks. A year ago, it was obvious that call quality was getting sketchy and there were calls unexplainably dropped. But cellular speeds are way up and reliability seems to be up as well. I’ve been hearing the same story from other cities.
Personal Thanks. The last few months have been hard on Asheville and surrounding areas due to Hurricane Helene. I find things to be thankful for every day as I hear about local successes in bringing a business back to life or folks getting back to work. I’m particularly thankful for the warm outpouring of concern from my friends and colleagues in the industry. If you find it in your heart to help our area, a great cause is the local food bank that got wiped out in the storm and is working to help feed the many folks who lost their homes.