ADTRAN, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADTN) says it has launched its Gigabit Accelerator Program, which aims to supply the resources necessary for smaller service providers to accelerate their delivery of gigabit services. The program will provide more opportunities for communities serviced by smaller carriers, who traditionally haven't had access to many marketing or community outreach resources, to deploy and market their next-gen broadband services to subscribers, ADTRAN asserts.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supports the expansion of broadband coverage to rural areas through programs such as the Connect America Fund (CAF) and Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM). The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have also taken up the Gigabit Opportunity Act. The bill is intended to bridge the digital divide and enable communities, even in rural areas, to benefit from the advantages that broadband internet brings to local economies, education, and rural healthcare.
However, small carriers seeking to benefit from these programs can encounter challenges to gigabit services roll outs, ADTRAN asserts. The cost of new access equipment, installation, equipment testing and commissioning, and the technical resources to properly deploy and maintain broadband networks are some of these challenges. Marketing resources to quickly acquire new customers are lacking as well according to the company, as is access to broadband use cases and industry resources to integrate community outreach, accelerate community buy-in, achieve higher service take-rates, and reduce construction barriers.
The ADTRAN Gigabit Accelerator Program therefore will target A-CAM funding recipients. The program includes a gigabit FTTH "starter kit," installation services, training, marketing support, and access to gigabit community partners. The company hopes the program will position it to become a "one-stop shop" for all things gigabit.
"Increasingly, access to broadband is transforming communities across the globe, but resource stumbling blocks faced by our nation's telecom service providers has slowed the momentum," said Mark Ogden, ADTRAN director of sales. "ADTRAN's expertize and deep partner relationships can help bridge this digital divide. We believe that by approaching this challenge with the concept of a startup accelerator program, we will most effectively facilitate the best solution to accelerate gigabit roll outs here in the United States and allow all communities to harness the transformative powers of broadband."
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