Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation through its Engineering and Technical Services (ETS) team has built trusted collaborative relationships with State Broadband offices, local communities and broadband providers nationwide.
These long-standing relationships and on-the-ground experience have made ETS a go-to resource for technical evaluations, field verification of project build outs, and broadband program oversight.
Our reputation is rooted in reliability, accuracy, and an unwavering commitment to helping states and providers deploy broadband infrastructure that meets statutory, contractual, and performance requirements.
Field Validation
CN has pioneered a rigorous, proven methodology that it refers to as Field Validation. In short, Field Validation is the in-the-field verification activities undertaken to determine:
- Buildout progress - construction is progressing as expected and if not to take corrective action before it is too late,
- Closeout compliance - a broadband project buildout meets grant or contract specifications,
- Challenge determination – challenges submitted as part of a grant program are assessed for validity and accuracy,
- Data quality assurance – data submissions are accurate, complete and align with grant or contract requirements.
Field validation can be considered as part of the overall grant of program monitoring and compliance continuum and can be seen as an important step to ensure grant funding is appropriately spent.
Although the actual validation work is conducted in the field, the work begins with a structured desktop review of provider data and grant or contract specifications. From these forms are developed and the locations mapped and routed for efficiency and accuracy of the field validation work.
Over the course of its validation work, the CN team has driven well over 1,000,000 road miles and completed hundreds of thousands of broadband service location (BSL) validations for wireline and wireless projects and providers across the United States and its territories. Field validation is performed year-round to test and confirm provider service boundaries, deployed assets, broadband speeds, and delivery platforms.
Technologies Validated & Asset Mapping Capabilities
|
Technology |
Description |
Field Validation |
Asset Mapping |
|
Fiber to the Home (FTTH) |
Broadband delivery method using 100% fiber-optic cables to connect a service provider directly to a residence |
X |
X |
|
Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) |
Broadband network architecture that combines fiber-optic cables for high-speed data transmission to a local neighborhood node with traditional coaxial cables for the final "last mile" connection to homes and businesses. |
X |
X |
|
Licensed Fixed Wireless (LFW) |
Broadband service that connects a location (home or business) to a provider via radio waves on a regulated, exclusive radio frequency band. |
X |
|
|
Unlicensed Fixed Wireless (ULFW) |
Same as above but utilizing shared radio spectrum (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 60GHz) that does not require an individual FCC license. |
X |
|
|
Mobile Fixed |
Broadband internet service that uses radio waves to connect a location (home or business) to a provider's network. It uses cell towers to transmit signals to a roof-mounted antenna or modem. |
X |
|
|
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite |
Communication satellite orbiting earth at a low altitude, typically between 160 and 2,000 km. LEO satellites allow for lower latency, faster internet speeds, and improved, high-speed, real-time data transmission in comparison to geostationary satellites. |
X |
|
Many of the programs are neutral technology so CN works directly with providers and funding entities to determine testing parameters, equipment specifications, testing locations, schedules, and reporting parameters. CN proprietary server network infrastructure facilitates KPI testing that collects the Upload, Download, Latency, technology and physical location of the test and meets the NTIA endpoint requirement as well as the appropriate test equipment to verify the RF level at each of the testing locations.
Location Selection
Validation locations are selected based on a broad set of criteria and include all platform types. Our advanced risk models have been developed and applied to ensure that fieldwork produces the highest possible value—identifying discrepancies, confirming services, and uncovering real world conditions that grant reporting and desktop analysis cannot capture.
A significant benefit to fieldwork is that the CN team gains a better understanding of the local broadband environment while on-site and can identify previously unreported broadband providers. Often fixed wireless providers are the most likely to be found while in the field. Such first-hand knowledge become invaluable for future funding rounds, mapping efforts, and program design.
Approach
Various tools, visual inspections, and tests provide the basis for a validation report. Among the tools CN engineers utilize are fiber light testers, spectrum analyzers, GPS devices, cameras, and CN field Maps to test, capture, and record validation information.
Using both laptop computer software and propriety equipment on CN servers, CN engineers can access broadband connections, determine the first-, middle-, and last-mile providers for an Internet connection, and complete KPI testing including download, upload, and latency.
Field teams capture evidence through visual inspections of:
- Central offices, NOCs, and provider facilities
- Overhead and underground wireline routes
- Vaults, pedestals, poles, antennas, and active electronics
- Customer premises and community sites
When appropriate, teams also engage directly with broadband subscribers to validate service experience.
Asset Mapping
For some projects and clients, the starting point is not to verify what has been constructed but to catalogue and map the telecommunications assets in the field. There are differences in how CN approaches wireline and wireless deployments as they present different assets to map and approaches for capture. Nonetheless, the process includes:
1. Working with clients to identify area(s) in question and determine the level of engagement concerning the technology(s) requiring mapping.
2. Coordinating with the provider to request the infrastructure deployed in the area(s).
3. Conducting structured field assessments to capture assets with standardized precision.
For fixed wireless deployments, CN technicians are trained in equipment that allows for the identification of the technical parameters of the wireless signal. CN developed a process to sample the subscriber’s location to determine the serviceably of individual locations.
Informed Analytics
Harness advanced analytics to track progress, validate networks, and provide stakeholders with clear, data-backed updates.
Our analytics reporting tools and interactive visualization dashboards incorporate both state-collected and third-party datasets from a range of sources to bolster confidence and keep stakeholders informed and aligned.
In fact, the Connected Nation BEAD Tracker is an analytic tool popular with state leaders, the public, and journalists across the country. It monitors approved BEAD plans by technology, cost per location, and so much more.
Click here to try out this easy-to-use tool. It's a great example of our work in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many firms offer BEAD consulting but none match Connected Nation's 25 years of broadband-focused expertise. We’ve worked side-by-side with state broadband offices across the nation providing practical, tested solutions tailored to the unique challenges of BEAD implementation. Our history of success and reputation for integrity set us apart.
Our team combines technical expertise with policy insights and data analytics delivering a holistic perspective that ensures your BEAD investments are effective and equitable. We’re not just telecom experts; we’re broadband problem solvers.
Even if you're using a consultant, our expertise can be leveraged to ensure you’re equipped to handle heightened public scrutiny with supportive technical review. Our independent, mission-driven approach complements your existing team providing the specialized expertise needed to validate subgrantee performance, mitigate risks, and help safeguard public investments. We work in tandem with other partners.
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