As the national broadband plan begins in earnest, it’s a good time to think about the future. The broadband ecosystem has some planning to do, especially the tier 2/3 telco sector. Most in the industry are on board with the concept of the future of the business revolving around broadband. Strategic planning involves figuring out how to thrive in that broadband future. Early indications suggest that the broadband service providers who plan on surviving over the long term need to develop a strategy that takes the attitude of ‘being the last man standing.’
If you read into some of the rhetoric flowing from policy makers concerning broadband, one conclusion you can draw is clear focus on efficiency, accountability, and sustainability. Over on Telecompetitor, I wrote a post on the coming battle for universal service funding support. It’s clear that the FCC intends on changing the system and opening it up to all kinds of broadband providers – providers who they deem as sustainable, efficient, accountable and can deliver the biggest broadband for the buck. That’s who will probably secure USF. It’s also important to recognize that intercarrier compensation will change too, and again, will probably have more focus on efficiency.
What does this transition mean? From a broadband carrier point of view, it’s the equivalent of ‘broadband survival of the fittest.’ Meaning carriers need to ensure their broadband strategy involves becoming efficient and providing the ‘best broadband for the buck’ in their community. It also means there is time to prepare. There won’t be any flash cuts. There’s plenty of time to develop and implement a broadband strategy that will best meet these evolving requirements. Take advantage of that time and ensure your network planning and corporate culture is flexible enough to meet whatever requirement comes about.
For the vendor ecosystem, there are some important points as well. Vendors who serve the tier 2/3 space need to provide affordable products and solutions that create that needed flexibility, helping to deliver the best broadband for the buck. And it’s not just broadband equipment providers who need to take notice. It’s all vendors who sell products and services to telcos. After all, it’s not just the DSLAM or Ethernet switch that will ensure efficient broadband. That broadband service has to be packaged, marketed, sold, and billed by trained and knowledgeable employees. It’s a true team effort. Good luck!
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