The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, Pete Pizzutillo is live at Fiber Connect 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. He is joined by Trent Edwards, CEO at TAK Communications. This engaging conversation highlights the latest trends in the broadband industry, particularly in construction and deployment. The episode covers TAK’s journey from a small start-up to a major player in the industry, the importance of partnerships, and the significant challenges and opportunities in the broadband construction space. Edwards shares his unique insights into the industry’s future and the role companies like TAK Communications are playing in shaping it.
The conversation begins with a brief history of TAK Communications. Edwards shares that TAK was founded 22 years ago by a group of friends in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. What started as a humble operation involving door-to-door sales and equipment installation has now evolved into a full-fledged broadband construction company. Backed by Platinum Equity, TAK is equipped to handle large-scale projects, offering end-to-end solutions that span everything from construction and fulfillment to managing equipment installations.
TAK’s unique origin story reflects a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and Edwards expresses pride in what the company has accomplished so far. “It’s an awesome culture,” Edwards says. “What they’ve accomplished is amazing.” He credits TAK’s success not only to its innovative approach but also to the strong relationships that have been built over the years, emphasizing the importance of company culture in driving long-term success.
Fiber Connect is one of the premier events in the broadband space, drawing in thousands of professionals from across the industry. Edwards praises the event, calling it “one-stop shopping” for anyone in the broadband world, from policy experts to construction partners. He highlights how the show offers an opportunity to meet with operators, put hands on new technology, and learn from others who are tackling similar challenges in broadband deployment.
For Edwards, the excitement around Fiber Connect 2024 mirrors the broader excitement in the industry. He notes that while there are uncertainties, particularly around workforce and supply chain challenges, these also represent significant opportunities for innovation and growth. “There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of opportunity,” says Edwards. “It’s just a great time for everybody to connect and get some knowledge base on what’s going on.”
Edwards dives into the current state of the broadband construction industry, where uncertainty is a recurring theme. Issues such as workforce shortages, supply chain delays, and permitting challenges continue to affect the industry. However, Edwards takes a positive approach, viewing these issues as opportunities to do things differently. He advocates for more collaboration and creative problem-solving among industry players, coining the term “cooperatition” — a blend of cooperation and competition.
This collaborative mindset is critical, given the massive broadband buildouts happening across the country. “We’ve got a lot of issues in front of us, you know, workforce and the volume of activities that are going to be going on,” Edwards explains. He stresses the importance of engaging all stakeholders — from engineering and construction firms to policymakers — to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Edwards points out that one of the biggest mistakes in broadband construction is bringing contractors into the process too late. He believes that involving construction partners earlier can help avoid costly overruns and delays. “If it’s a $50 million project, it needs to be a $50 million project on time, on schedule,” Edwards says, underscoring the need for careful planning and execution.
One of the biggest challenges facing the broadband industry is a shortage of skilled labor. Edwards discusses how TAK is addressing this issue through strategic partnerships and innovative workforce development programs. He believes that building strong partnerships with local communities, educational institutions, and other industry players is crucial to closing the labor gap.
Edwards also emphasizes the importance of attracting the next generation of workers to the broadband industry. He admits that construction work is often seen as less “sexy” compared to careers in technology or software, but he argues that there are tremendous opportunities for career growth and wealth creation in broadband construction. “This is a generational opportunity for a career path,” Edwards says, noting that young workers entering the industry today have the potential to rise quickly through the ranks.
TAK is actively working to change the narrative around construction work, promoting the idea that careers in broadband construction offer stability, growth, and the chance to make a real difference in communities. Edwards himself started in the industry in 1995, and he views his own career trajectory as proof that there are limitless opportunities for those willing to work hard and learn the business.
In today’s rapidly evolving broadband landscape, flexibility is more important than ever. Edwards stresses the need for companies to think creatively about how they approach broadband construction projects. He advocates for more integrated solutions that involve multiple stakeholders working together to deliver projects more efficiently.
For example, Edwards suggests that smaller municipalities and broadband providers could benefit from clustering their markets and pooling resources. This approach could reduce costs and improve efficiency, but it requires a shift in mindset from the traditional, siloed way of thinking. “Historically, we haven’t done that,” Edwards says, pointing to ego and independent thinking as barriers to collaboration. However, he believes that the industry is moving toward greater cooperation and that this will be critical to achieving the goal of universal broadband access.
Another area where Edwards sees potential for innovation is in procurement and supply chain management. He argues that contractors should be more proactive in securing materials and managing supply chains, rather than relying on broadband providers to handle these aspects. By pre-purchasing materials and establishing direct relationships with distributors, contractors can ensure that they have the resources they need to complete projects on time.
Looking ahead, Edwards believes that the next 12 months will bring significant changes to the broadband industry, although he cautions that progress may be slower than some expect. He anticipates that workforce shortages and supply chain issues will continue to be challenges, but he also expects to see an uptick in the volume of work as more broadband funding becomes available. Edwards predicts that the second and third quarters of 2025 will be particularly busy as projects ramp up.
Edwards also touches on the intersection of broadband and power, suggesting that these two industries will likely converge in the future. He believes that fiber networks will play a key role in enabling new technologies and services, such as smart grids and distributed energy systems. This convergence, he says, represents another significant opportunity for companies like TAK to innovate and grow.
As TAK Communications looks to the future, Edwards is clear about his goals for the company. He wants TAK to be known not only for its technical expertise but also for its culture of excellence and collaboration. “I want everybody that has ever worked with TAK, ever been employed by TAK, been a partner with TAK to covet that relationship,” Edwards says. He envisions exponential growth for the company, but he is equally focused on maintaining TAK’s strong culture and ensuring that the company grows in a way that aligns with its values.
Edwards’ passion for his work is evident throughout the conversation. He views broadband construction as more than just a business — it’s a way to change lives by bringing essential services like education and healthcare to underserved communities. “We’re absolutely changing lives,” Edwards says. “We’re making communities better. We’re making school systems better. We’re allowing people to move to rural parts of the world for quality of life and still operate and work.”
As the conversation comes to a close, Edwards expresses optimism about the future of TAK Communications and the broader broadband industry. He believes that the next few years will bring unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation, but success will require collaboration, creative thinking, and a commitment to excellence. Edwards is confident that TAK is well-positioned to lead the way, and he looks forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
This episode offers a valuable look into the state of the broadband industry from the perspective of a seasoned industry leader. With his wealth of experience and passion for the work, Trent Edwards provides a compelling vision for the future of broadband construction and the critical role that companies like TAK Communications will play in shaping that future.
© 2024 Enhanced Telecommunications.
