Rural Broadband

With a long and diverse history of collaboration with service providers, utilities, system integrators, and federal, state, and local government agencies, VIAVI Solutions has played a pivotal role in the successful deployment and maintenance of communications networks. This includes an investment in the talent and resources needed to bring next generation broadband service to unserved and underserved areas of the country.

VIAVI thoroughly supports rural broadband customers, providers, and operators throughout the network lifecycle. Automated test and measurement solutions are backed by the experience and expertise needed to confidently meet FCC delivery milestones and reporting requirements. With time-to-market, SLA conformance, and efficiency heightened by rural broadband requirements, the advanced automation and remote access features of the VIAVI portfolio are helping to bridge the digital divide.

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and other funding sources bring much-needed financial backing that accelerates the growth of rural broadband. However, the new technologies enabling high-speed, reliable internet service like PON and DWDM can be challenging to deploy and maintain – especially in a time of workforce shortages and dwindling supply of experienced personnel. Outsourcing of network construction, and sometimes service activation and maintenance, is a common element of many projects but can create challenges if procedures are not followed and/or properly documented and communicated.

VIAVI partners with those deploying rural broadband to simplify and streamline service deployment.We offer advanced test solutions for fiber, wireless, cable, and hybrid networks designed to address the latest technologies, requirements, and use cases. Equally important, our solutions incorporate powerful test process automation to simply testing for less experienced users, ensure repeatable processes and document completed work. VIAVI brings decades of broadband service deployment experience working with customers in virtually every environment and can be a resource to assist through every stage of your project – proposal, planning or deployment. VIAVI provides the solutions and experience to help ensure:

Service Providers are equipping millions of new users with high-speed rural broadband internet. The vast majority of winning RDOF bidders plan for "above baseline" (≥ 100/20 Mbps) service that emphasizes careful planning and ongoing performance monitoring. Regional service providers expanding the reach of their networks rely on portable, intuitive tools to automate test workflows, verify conformance, and expedite deployment. 

Utilities experience many of the same logistical challenges associated with broadband internet for rural areas as they extend their infrastructure to remote locations. As high-speed internet goes from luxury to necessity, electric companies and other utilities can leverage these similarities. Dual-purpose meter reading/internet fiber runs are among the innovative deployment options. Handheld fiber testing solutions designed for PON activation, maintenance, and troubleshooting enable utilities to transform their service offerings and the lives of their customers.

Cable Operators aspire to extend their existing coaxial services to rural areas. The distances traversed can create challenges for maintaining adequate signal quality. HFC (hybrid) options allow cable operators to extend their networks more cost-effectively and reliably by running fiber extensions to underserved or unserved areas. VIAVI offers interoperable and portable service activation and troubleshooting tools that can simplify rural broadband deployment for mixed mode applications.

Contractors play an integral role in the timely and efficient deployment of rural broadband services. In many broadband deployment projects, fiber network construction is performed by contractors; some operators rely on contractors for service activation and maintenance as well. VIAVI can play an active role in these dynamics by providing solutions that enable a swift, clean and well-documented handoff of completed work between contractors and operators – ensuring the work is done on time, right the first time and accelerates payment for completed work.

FCC reporting has shown that over 14 million U.S. residents have no access to broadband internet, with the majority residing in sparsely populated, rural areas. When service is available, it is often slower and less reliable than what is found closer to urban centers. The economic benefits that come from broadband for rural areas have led to an increased awareness of the "digital divide" and a rural broadband initiative aimed at 10 Mbps speed and ≤ 100ms latency lower limits for virtually all Americans.

Education over the internet has quickly progressed from novelty to commonplace. The need for virtual education has long been evident in rural settings with limited access to college campuses. Rural broadband helps to level the educational playing field for students where brick and mortar options are limited by providing options for virtual or independent study

Healthcare access is a serious concern for residents of rural communities where the nearest medical center could be hundreds of miles away. Telehealth practices have steadily improved, with virtual consultations replacing routine appointments and high-speed internet access bringing advanced medical equipment, records, and expertise to rural clinics.

Farming and ranching are historically underserved broadband markets, despite the lifeline to healthcare, education, e-commerce, and other services that the internet provides. Modern farmers can also benefit from precision agriculture techniques based on real-time data collection and analysis that can only be implemented with a broadband connection

For FTTH and HFC networks, PON, DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) and other advancements have introduced additional signal complexity and insertion loss points. Long fiber optic cable runs are also susceptible to bending, contamination, and environmental damage. These factors can lead to unplanned performance issues down the road if not tested during construction and activation.

Wireless networks are also subject to outside factors that can lead to interference, spotty coverage, and security issues. Latency, throughput, and other network KPIs should be assessed prior to and during turn-up, and continually thereafter. For government-sponsored deployments, failing to test adequately can also lead to consequences when performance and service level expectations are not met during FCC audits.

The rural broadband initiative has changed expectations for network boundaries, customization, and delivery timelines. At the same time, advanced test solutions designed for traditional broadband installation, activation, and maintenance are extremely effective for rural broadband applications.

Solutions

The proven VIAVI broadband test solutions for FTTH, wireless, and hybrid deployments seamlessly support rural broadband rollout and ongoing assurance. This versatile tool kit can also be used to verify SLA conformance and KPIs to improve customer satisfaction and FCC audit preparedness.

Why is Rural Broadband Important for The Country?

Broadband internet access in the digital age is on par with the electrical and telephone services that became commonplace by the mid-20th century. As society becomes virtualized, the economic, health, and educational benefits of broadband for rural areas are undeniable. The historic RDOF funding of 2020 may soon be viewed as a small down payment towards a more equitable and productive future. As a stalwart rural broadband supporter and leading innovator of broadband test tools and practices, VIAVI fully understands how to get broadband in rural areas.