Community Broadband Networks

JTEL Consulting specializes in the planning, designing, implementation and management of multi-service community broadband networks connecting residents, schools, hospitals, public institutions, local businesses, and government organizations. JTELC strives to expand broadband access and adoption throughout rural, metro and inner-city communities to encourage innovation and stimulate economic growth.

Big data and AI are moving companies that have been in the traditional industries of transportation, manufacturing, and food production to become data-driven technology companies. Examples GE with their aircraft engines and locomotives, John Deere with the manufacture of farm equipment, and farming communities as they look to reduce costs and increase food production.

Connecting Communities

High-speed Internet capabilities are essential for future growth and development of communities. High-speed Internet creates opportunities for regions to stay ahead of continuous technological advancements to compete in the rapidly evolving digital world. Global connectivity can be achieved with faster speeds while maintaining competitive prices.

One benefit of the COVID pandemic is the recognition of the value of broadband for tele-health, distance learning, and remote work. Broadband has moved beyond the use of sending emails or streaming movies. State and federal funding has increased dramatically to support new broadband networks throughout the years. JTELC has experience with multiple publicly funded projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), Connect America Fund (CAF), and California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) thru the recent Tribal Broadband Connectivity and the Broadband Infrastructure Programs.

We are available to assist state broadband offices, communities, and companies in the preparation for the BEAD programs.

JTEL Consulting’s innovative professionals are experienced in all aspects of delivering broadband networks from consultation and project management to construction services and fiber optic solutions. JTELC is fully committed in the network deployment process from initiating a concept to the completion of the community broadband network.

Benefits Of Community Broadband Networks

Business & Economic Development

Community broadband networks enable local job growth while attracting new businesses to the local area. Rural and older urban communities are being circumvented by the incumbent providers of broadband services as those providers leverage their investment in those communities while they invest their capital in the construction of broadband networks in growth areas as communities continue to expand. Broadband access has increased opportunities for teleworking and expansion to new markets previously inaccessible. One benefit of the COVID pandemic is the realization by businesses that telework or remote work with broadband is viable and can reduce operating cost of a business through reduction in cost of maintaining office space for employees.

Residential

Regardless of whether the units are single family or multi-tenant units, broadband networks are a basic requirement for residential communities. Remote work requires video conferencing or media display for discussion between one or more participants in real time. The streaming of all music, movies and other video content, online gaming, job search, social networking, electronic bill payments, accessing health records, tele-health, distance learning, and home security are all based on access to affordable and scalable high-bandwith services. Broadband access throughout public parks and community centers increases opportunities for residents to stay connected and more secure.

Health Care

Broadband connects health care facilities with other health care facilities or medical professionals, and medical professionals with patients. High speed internet increases the efficiency of delivery of medical diagnosis and treatment through timely access to medical professionals and patients. Broadband enables medical professionals to remotely monitor, diagnose, and treat health issues in a timely manner. Patients with medical devices allow staff to remotely access real time, and historical, observations and health records of key health metrics for an individual. The COVID pandemic has provided a significant benefit for tele-health. This support in the treatment and reimbursement for tele-health is a benefit for residents in metro., urban, and rural locations. Access to real time and historical observations will improve response time to a medical issue. Informed, timely access to patient data, will improve patient response time a lower cost.

Education

Educational institutions at all levels (school districts, universities, and colleges) improve communications and collaboration through community broadband networks while reducing costs. As education continues to become more Internet-based, community-networking applications allow for distance learning and remote classrooms, standardized testing and online-based homework or curriculum. A community broadband network allows for collaborative opportunities between local schools and schools throughout the country and world. The COVID pandemic has highlighted the limitations that many communities have for broadband enabled distance learning.

Public Works

A community broadband network is beneficial to many aspects of government and public institutions. Broadband networks assist public works, public safety, information technology and environmental services. Intelligent traffic systems increase traffic flow efficiency and vehicle efficiency through less stop and go activity. Utility costs can be minimized through establishing a smart grid. For example, a smart grid with smart meters, smart distribution boards and circuit boards integrated with home control and demand response, and smart appliances will improve efficiency of the electrical grid that may enable utility companies to delay significant investment required for system upgrades in generation and/or distribution.

Value Training

JTELC is focused on providing training to properly inform and educate consumers on devices and how to effectively utilize the Internet to gain maximum value. Value training assists users on quality inclusion and engagement in the online community for gathering information and accessing services. The COVID pandemic has highlighted a major shortcoming of access to broadband. Even when a community may have access to affordable broadband, members in the community may lack the best device to access the broadband network for their desired application. JTELC is also focused on initiatives to provide devices to underserved members in a community to enable them to utilize the broadband network for their desired application.

Precision Agriculture

Agriculture production is poised to enjoy a significant productivity increase with the use of technology and data management through precision agriculture. In the past, the Farmer’s Almanac was the farmer’s tool for planning their planting and harvesting of crops. Access to data and the use of that data to make informed decisions are the new “Farmer’s Almanac”. Companies like John Deere are using telematics, remote monitoring, and self-driving controls to support the farming and ranching communities. But, the new tool box for precision agriculture is constrained by lack of access to high-performance broadband service. Farmers need connectivity in the farmhouse, in the farm office, and in their fields to increase crop yields and quality while more efficiently using inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water. Ranchers need connectivity to track their animals. Agriculture communities, like all communities, need broadband to benefit from online applications in health, work, and learning, to spur economic development, and to enhance quality of life.