Partnering for Success on Your Tribal Broadband Journey

Successful tribal broadband projects depend on an ecosystem of partners who can help with everything from funding applications to building the network. Some partnerships will continue far beyond project completion, supporting you in managing operations such as billing and customer support. That's why it's important to select the right partners from the beginning.

Partnerships come in many different shapes and sizes. Vendors exist for every detail of your broadband project. From consulting-engineering firms to ongoing technical training, expert help is on hand. Here are some examples of partners you may need:

• Funding consultants and consulting-engineering (CE) firms help with funding, grant writing, compliance, and feasibility studies.

• Hardware providers offer the technology and equipment for new network builds and upgrades.

• Outside plant designers and network engineers examine the service area environment and offer technological expertise for the design and build stages.

• Construction contractors help design and build out the infrastructure.

• Marketing partners simplify, execute, and accelerate service provider go-to-market activities.

• Broadband independent software vendors (ISVs) bring billing and support solutions.

Your broadband journey comprises multiple phases and different partners come into play at different times. Here's a typical project plan, showing which partners are needed and when:

• Phase One: Initiation, funding evaluation and feasibility requires help from funding consultants with a deep knowledge of grant applications, government compliance, and feasibility studies and research.

• Phase Two: Planning, design, and equipment vendor recommendation requires guidance on network design and build, infrastructure and equipment acquisition, risk management and security, technological expertise, as well as environment considerations.

• Phase Three: Enabling internal resources requires expertise in outsourcing non-core functions, marketing, sales, and workforce skills training.

• Phase Four: Ongoing support extends beyond network completion and encompasses innovation and research, managing content delivery, utilizing cloud-based software for data insights, increasing revenue opportunities, and expanding into new markets.

To get the most out of your partner ecosystem, it's best to find one main point of contact to reduce complexity. Having a reliable, go-to subject matter expert will help you navigate your broadband journey more easily. Even better-find a partner that can also provide broadband hardware and software through an end-to-end platform.

Partners are an integral part of your project and can be relied on as little or as much as you feel comfortable. Most importantly, ensure your potential partners are fully aligned with the goals and needs of your individual tribe. If you feel uncomfortable at any stage, don't hesitate to raise concerns-keeping your project on track is worth a difficult conversation.

Find out how Calix can help you with your partner strategy for your tribal broadband project-download our eBook, "The Broadband Success Playbook for Tribes."

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