Greg Lannes

The game changes before most leaders see it. Fibre broadband isn’t an upgrade—it’s a strategic asset. Those who think several moves ahead shape the market. The rest respond to it.

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T-Mobile and NATE just signed a major agreement that directly impacts tower contractors and crews on the ground. Highlights: * Site-specific and regional pricing replaces the one-size-fits-all matrix * 6% rate increase until new RFPs are finalized by end of year * "Scope to Quote" tool launches by Sept 1 to define job-specific SOWs * 30-day pay terms with 50% upfront billing at job start * Relief from Avetta, Ariba, and PaymodeX fees for small businesses * Crackdown on 1099/undocumented labor—reporting and enforcement tools coming * Limits on tiered subs and a move away from "Super GC" and turf vendor models These changes didn’t come easy—NATE pushed hard to get them. This is a win for the people building the network. Now let’s hold them to it. #TowerTechs #WirelessContractors #NATE #TMobile #BuildAmerica #TelecomConstruction #FairPay #TowerSafety

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Is your FTTH deployment slowed down by permitting challenges, costly rework, or construction delays? In fiber projects, speed to market isn’t just about building fast — it’s about building right. Formal design standardization, permit readiness, and tight alignment between engineering and construction teams are what keep FTTH programs on schedule and on budget. At eX2 Technology, a Vivacity Company, we take an integrated approach to design and permitting to ensure your project moves seamlessly from pre-planning to construction. Every engagement begins with a Formal Design Specifications & Deliverables Document developed collaboratively with your team, establishing clear expectations and eliminating ambiguity from day one. Our engineers leverage advanced GIS fiber management tools and industry-leading design software to produce detailed, accurate, and highly presentable documentation. Whether you require geo databases (.gdb), shapefiles, GeoJSON, or other formats, we deliver fiber data that is construction-ready and permit-ready. The result? Resilient networks, predictable builds, and fewer surprises in the field — helping you reach the market faster and with confidence. Learn more about our commitment to Excellence in Execution and download our FTTH Design & Permitting Services overview flyer here: https://lnkd.in/gjJmSG5s #FTTH #FiberDeployment #Permitting #OSPDesign

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📈 U.S. Fiber Deployment Hits an All-Time High — Are We About to Overtake Cable? 📌 In 2025, U.S. fiber broadband providers passed 11.8 million new homes, pushing total FTTH passings to ~98.3 million — nearing the 100 million milestone and now covering over 60% of U.S. households. Average take rates climbed to ~46.5%, with even higher penetration where competitive fiber exists, signaling that fiber-to-fiber competition boosts adoption. 👉 This isn’t just a build number — it suggests fiber could surpass cable broadband as the dominant U.S. platform by ~2028, reshaping competitive strategy and prioritizing investment in both new builds and overbuilds. 🔗 Source: Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) annual deployment survey—a record-breaking year. https://lnkd.in/eVyE-gFW

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🔍 FTTA vs. FTTH — And Beyond: Which “FTTx” Fits Your Network? Fiber isn’t just about speed — it’s about where the fiber actually goes. FTTA (Fiber to the Antenna) Designed for cell towers and RRH deployments, FTTA replaces copper jumpers with fiber, enabling lower loss, higher capacity, and better performance in harsh outdoor environments — essential for 4G/5G networks. FTTH (Fiber to the Home) The gold standard for residential broadband, delivering high-speed, stable connections directly into homes for streaming, remote work, and smart living. But the FTTx world doesn’t stop there 👇 🔹 FTTB – Fiber to the Building Fiber reaches the building, then distributes via Ethernet or copper inside — a cost-effective solution for apartments and offices. 🔹 FTTC – Fiber to the Curb Fiber stops near the user, with the last stretch covered by copper — commonly used in upgrading legacy networks. 🔹 FTTD – Fiber to the Desk Direct fiber connections to workstations, ideal for data centers, trading floors, and high-security environments. 🔹 FTTE – Fiber to the Enterprise Designed for enterprise campuses and industrial sites, supporting high bandwidth, scalability, and long-distance transmission. At DEKAM, we provide end-to-end fiber optic cable solutions for every FTTx scenario — from outdoor ruggedized cables to indoor distribution fibers, all engineered for reliability, performance, and long-term value. 📌 Different networks, different needs — one fiber partner. Which FTTx model are you deploying next? #FTTA #FTTH #FTTB #FTTC #FTTD #FTTE #FTTx #FiberOpticSolutions #5GInfrastructure #BroadbandNetwork #DEKAM

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Telecom leadership isn’t about sitting behind a desk. It’s about understanding what’s happening in the field. Fiber projects don’t fail because of strategy. They fail because of execution gaps. Missed locates. Bad communication between crews. Delays that compound day after day. The best leaders in this industry stay close to the work. They: • Talk to crews, not just managers • Understand real production rates • Solve problems before they escalate • Hold the standard when timelines get tight You can’t lead telecom projects from a spreadsheet. You lead them in the field. What’s the biggest execution challenge you’re seeing right now? #Telecom #Leadership #Streamline #Construction

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Most telecom cost reduction projects miss the mark. Everyone chases a smaller invoice. Nobody asks why the cost creeps back in. Here's the problem. You negotiate hard, trim some lines, swap a vendor or two. Three months later, your spend jumps. A year later, it's back to square one. Sometimes worse. Why? Because the real killer isn't the carrier rates. It's the chaos in your process. No owner. No controls. Shadow IT adding lines. Nobody auditing old services. No system that flags waste before you bleed cash. Until you fix this, you're stuck in the same loop. Endless RFPs, endless "savings" that never last. The fix isn't a better deal. It's ownership, workflow, and visibility. I've seen companies cut six figures just by installing simple controls. Stop hunting for pennies on your bills. Start controlling the process that creates the bill in the first place.

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🌐 A Leadership Lesson for Every FTTH Leader Understanding ISP Sales in Today’s Evolved Market In the world of fiber optics, sales is no longer just sales. ISP sales are fundamentally different from conventional cellular telecom sales, and every FTTH leader must understand this shift if they want to build high-performing teams and deliver customer experiences that match modern expectations. 📌 What Exactly Is ISP Sales? ISP (Internet Service Provider) sales are not about selling a SIM, a package, or a one-click activation. It is a solution-based, infrastructure-driven, technically aligned selling process. You are not selling “internet” you are selling stable connectivity, lower latency, dedicated bandwidth, FTTH reliability, long-term service, and the entire customer journey from installation to after-sales support. ISP sales require: Understanding ONTs, split ratios, fiber routes, ODF–DP connectivity, signal levels, SNR, LOSS issues Ability to translate technical constraints into customer-friendly explanations Evaluating feasibility, network load, and deployment requirements before closing any deal This is why the best ISP sales teams act more like consultants, not product pushers. A technically sound ISP sales officer increases trust, reduces complaints, and closes deals based on credibility, not luck. 📌 Non-Conventional Practices Needed in ISP Sales Today The old “door-to-door pitch” is dead. Modern ISP sales teams must: Visit on-site with feasibility tools, not just brochures Check Google Maps + fiber route overlays Use speed-test demos on portable ONTs Understand home layouts for Wi-Fi dead zones Sales today is a technical service, not a “rate card pitch”. 📌 My Everyday Scenario With My Sales Team Every day, I sit with my sales team and we review: 1. Feasibilities Can we serve the customer without compromising network health? 2. Customer objections And how to answer them technically. 3.Competition analysis Not by price, but by stability and latency. 4. Customer journey What went wrong, what we can do better. I always tell my team: “You are not selling a connection. You are selling trust, uptime, and long-term reliability.” And the day they understand this, they evolve from sales officers into FTTH professionals. 📌 Final Leadership Message FTTH leaders must invest in: Technically strong sales teams Continuous training Field knowledge Real customer understanding Because today’s customers are not easy they are informed, analytical, and want value. Winning them requires precision, knowledge, and honesty. #FTTH #Leadership #ISPSales #TelecomIndustry #FiberOptics #SalesExcellence #CustomerExperience #OperationsManagement #TelecomLeadership #DigitalTransformation #CXO #CEOInsights #BusinessGrowth #TechnicalSales #StormFiber #Cybernet #Nayatel #BroadbandIndustry #FutureOfConnectivity #LearningAndDevelopment

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SouthernTier Telecom – Comprehensive Communication & Infrastructure Solutions SouthernTier Telecommunications is proud to serve as a national infrastructure provider supporting the telecommunications industry with deep expertise in Aerial and Underground OSP/ISP construction. Our teams specialize in Fiber Optic and HFC network deployments, bringing disciplined trade stewardship and a comprehensive understanding of all major telecom design architectures. With nationwide reach, we deliver a full spectrum of communication and infrastructure solutions backed by leadership and field teams who bring the technical skill, planning discipline, and operational rigor required to execute complex projects safely, efficiently, and on schedule. We support projects of all sizes and maintain the ability to mobilize rapidly for emergency events—ensuring continuity and reliability for our partners. Core Capabilities Aerial and underground construction for FTTx and HFC network builds Fiber splicing, testing, and certification HFC splicing, activation, sweep, and certification Wireless infrastructure development Emergency restoration and storm response services Structured cabling solutions Engineering and design support (AutoCAD, 3‑GIS, Smallworld, ArcGIS, fielding, walk‑out, and permitting services) Coverage Areas SouthernTier operates nationwide, supporting both urban and rural markets across the United States. Our strategic deployment model enables rapid mobilization for planned projects and urgent restoration needs, ensuring seamless connectivity wherever our customers require support. Emergency Restoration Services Our teams are trained, equipped, and ready to respond quickly during critical events. We provide specialized emergency repair and maintenance services designed to restore service and stabilize infrastructure under demanding conditions. If you're looking for a committed, capable partner, we’re ready to get on your team and start contributing in a meaningful way. Andrew J. Healey Chief Executive Officer SouthernTier Telecommunications Inc. 561‑942‑6396 Cape Coral, FL 33904 ahealey@southerntiertelecom.com

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