Broadband business success from Day One

For rural broadband providers, planning for ongoing customer support is vital

Delivering fiber broadband services is about more than the network. If you’re thinking about becoming a broadband service provider, it’s vital to plan for ongoing business operations.

I’m Robert Worden, Head of Broadband Operations at Fujitsu, here for an open dialogue. Let’s talk about what it means to be service provider-ready.

Rural broadband business success means thinking beyond the network

Many of our community broadband customers are laser focused on funding and building their fiber network. But they haven’t thought beyond the network.

That’s understandable. Building a broadband network is a big challenge on its own, and most consultants focus on planning and network deployment, largely leaving you on your own after that. But you must be ready for Day One support of your customers and network.

Broadband funding and network connectivity is only the beginning

Funding and network connectivity is only the beginning. You may need to set up completely new business operations with its own set of challenges.

These challenges include systems standup; OSS/BSS platforms; demand aggregation; API integration; regulatory compliance; network registration; staffing and work velocity; websites; mobile apps; and subscriber terms of use privacy, and other policies.

How do you become service provider-ready?

So how do you become service provider-ready? It comes down to four things.

First, know your mission and values

What do you want to achieve? Serve the community, encourage economic development, close the digital divide, and spur innovation.

Second, think differently and plan early

Prepare carefully and consider all requirements for day-to-day business operations. These are your communities; serve them as you see fit. You’ll need plans for service delivery, systems integration, best practices and customer experience.

Third, live your operating values

Understand your key operating and cultural values, and drive them through all business areas.

Fourth, manage complexity expertly

Leave nothing out and put a program in place to assess, correct and transcend issues that arise when operating your business.

Fujitsu works with you as a partner you can trust

When we work in partnership with a new broadband business, we make sure to plan for what happens on and after Day One. We can also manage your broadband network and operations and train you until you’re ready to take over, using our build – operate – transfer approach to becoming service provider-ready.

As a trusted partner, we are accountable for executing on all key project aspects and we customize scope to suit your needs.