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Utilities / Electric Cooperatives

Bridge the digital divide for your members

Rural electric cooperatives can provide essential broadband services community-wide so co-op members can work, learn, and thrive in the digital age.

Electric co-ops are uniquely positioned to provide sustainable and equitable internet services, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality internet services, regardless of their income or location.

Rural farm land with telephone lines

Challenges

Electric co-ops face challenges bringing broadband access to rural areas

Funding

Trouble gaining clarity on various funding options at the state, federal, and private levels, and receiving guidance on making prudent investments.

Limited personnel

Maximizing the potential of a small electric co-op team can be difficult without experienced outside guidance and support.

Product offering

Struggling to discover specific solutions that perfectly align with your members' needs based on your serving area, population density, terrain, and competitive landscape.

Essential Service

Rural broadband is as essential as electricity

Explosive growth in at-home telecommuting

Since 2005, the number of work-at-home employees has witnessed a staggering 103 percent growth. Become the essential provider for internet services for this growting demographic. 

Broadband for remote educators and students

With easy access to tech-based learning resources, students and educators can conveniently utilize online homework platforms and seamlessly access education opportunities from remote locations.

Provide critical patient care to remote locations

Rural broadband provided by electric cooperatives is the backbone for many at-home health aides and devices—keeping more patients healthy from anywhere.

A top must-have feature

Access to fiber-optic broadband significantly enhances home values, with homebuyers consistently ranking it as one of their top must-have features.

Accessible to everyone

Enable everyone—from small businesses to farms with the ability to leverage the most advanced and innovative technologies available in the market today.

Case Studies

Customer successes

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Pierce Pepin Cooperative provides world class broadband
View Ride-A-Long Video
Tombigbee Fiber provides high-speed fiber optic internet and voice services
View Ride-A-Long Video
Petit Jean Fiber
Petit Jean Fiber is working to build 100% fiber-to-home network
View Ride-A-Long Video

Featured Perspectives and Insights

Rural electric co-ops have partnered with Calix to bridge the digital divide

10.5 reasons rural electric cooperatives should break ground

Read how your rural Electric Cooperative can unlock the next broadband frontier. You can continue the work they started 85 years ago.

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A group of coworkers placing their hands together
Calix partners with NRECA and electric cooperatives to bridge the digital divide
Watch video
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Tombigbee Fiber prioritizes protecting children from social media dangers
Read press release
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United Fiber launches bold campaign featuring Calix Managed Services
Read press release

Online curriculum

Broadband Academy

The journey to becoming a Broadband Service Provider can feel overwhelming. Broadband Academy's online curriculum guides your path to providing life-changing connectivity for your members. You don't need to be a Calix customer to enroll. ​

Fundamentals

Broadband services fundamentals​

About this learning path:

Students will be introduced to the five stages of building a successful broadband business: fund, design, build, operate, market. Lessons cover everything from how broadband works and types of connectivity to important considerations in government and private funding. Students will learn about key factors in network design so they can confidently work with designers and engineers. Build and operate lessons include topics like outside plant construction, effectively monitoring the build phase, common operating challenges, and the importance of customer service. 

Courses​:
  • Broadband Services Fundamentals​

  • Funding for Broadband Services​

  • Design for Broadband Services ​

  • Build for Broadband Services ​

  • Operate for Broadband Services

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Electric Cooperatives​

Understanding broadband specifics Electric Co-ops​

About this course​:

In this course, students will learn about specific considerations that electric cooperatives should be aware of when planning to build broadband infrastructure and operate a broadband business. This includes methods of owning and operating a broadband network, advantages and disadvantages of partnering with third-party entities, how broadband infrastructure can improve your electric operations, and tips for running a competitive business. After completing this course, students will be ready to begin working on broadband projects for electric cooperatives.​

Lessons:
  • Why Electric Co-ops are Uniquely Positioned to Provide Broadband Services​

  • Options for Owning and Operating a Broadband Network ​

  • How Broadband Infrastructure Can Help Improve Your Electric Operations​

  • Running a Competitive Broadband Business​

  • The Importance of Data Insights 

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Trending topics

Electric co-ops news and insights

Feb 28, 2024 | 4 min
Feb 21, 2024 | 3 min
Feb 12, 2024 | 4 min

Popular products and services

Don't build or manage your broadband business alone