Building Rural Fiber Broadband Through Trusted Partnerships

Rural fiber broadband construction is about more than placing cable in the ground or attaching fiber to poles. It requires long-term planning, dependable execution, community coordination, and a shared understanding of what reliable connectivity means for the people being served.

LightStream, a rural telecommunications cooperative and fiber provider in northern Indiana, has worked with ElectriCom for more than a decade to expand high-speed connectivity across its service area. What began as a project connecting two regional hospitals developed into a trusted partnership that has helped bring fiber service to entire communities.

According to LightStream President and CEO Brent Gillum, the strength of that relationship comes down to expertise, responsiveness, and accountability.

Recognizing the Future of Rural Broadband

When Gillum joined LightStream in 2007, the organization primarily delivered traditional telephone and copper-based DSL services to its customers.

A few years later, LightStream received grant funding to connect hospitals in Winamac and Monticello to statewide networks. These fiber connections would allow the hospitals to exchange medical images and other critical information more quickly and reliably.

LightStream recognized that the project could accomplish more than connecting two individual facilities. By strategically locating remote communications facilities in each community, the organization could establish a foundation for broader rural fiber broadband expansion.

“Instead of building a single fiber to each hospital, we decided to overbuild those towns with much-needed high-speed fiber-optic connectivity,” Gillum said.

ElectriCom helped construct the hospital connections and the remote facilities LightStream needed to extend fiber throughout the two communities.

That infrastructure eventually supported gigabit service in both Winamac and Monticello and helped position the communities for a future in which reliable internet access would become essential.

Moving Broadband From a Luxury to Essential Infrastructure

One of LightStream’s earliest challenges was communicating the long-term value of fiber broadband.

“In 2010, I think people felt internet services were a luxury and not necessarily a necessity,” Gillum explained. “We were trying to articulate and forecast the future—the speeds, capabilities, technology, reliability, and value that fiber would bring to each community.”

Today, broadband supports healthcare, education, agriculture, business operations, remote work, and everyday communication. At the time, however, the importance of that infrastructure was not universally understood.

The value of LightStream’s early investment became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many rural communities struggled to accommodate remote work, virtual learning, and telehealth, LightStream had already spent years expanding its fiber network.

“Had we waited, we would have been scrambling,” Gillum said. “By then, it would have been too late.”

This experience demonstrates why successful rural broadband expansion requires a long-term perspective. Networks must be designed and constructed not only for current demand, but also for the future needs of the communities they serve.

Building Trust Within Rural Communities

Rural fiber broadband construction frequently occurs in communities where relationships and local trust matter as much as technical capability.

When LightStream entered Winamac and Monticello, many local leaders and residents were unfamiliar with the organization. Successful deployment required coordination with mayors, county commissioners, highway departments, street departments, and water and sewer officials.

ElectriCom participated directly in those conversations.

“ElectriCom was at every seat, at every one of those meetings and at every table,” Gillum said. “Those relationships were not only built by LightStream; they were built by ElectriCom. They deserve as much credit for helping build those relationships as we do.”

Local officials also had direct access to the ElectriCom supervisors responsible for the fieldwork. This communication helped establish confidence, resolve concerns, and ensure that construction activity represented LightStream appropriately within each community.

For rural broadband providers, that matters. A contractor’s crews are often the most visible representatives of the network owner during construction. Their communication, professionalism, restoration practices, and responsiveness can directly affect community perception.

Expanding Fiber to Cooperative Members

Following the initial community projects, LightStream continued working with ElectriCom to expand its network.

Approximately five to six years ago, LightStream decided to bring fiber-to-the-home service throughout its cooperative territory. The goal was to ensure its member-owners could access the same modern connectivity being introduced in neighboring communities.

ElectriCom constructed the fiber network, which has now been operational for approximately three years.

Throughout the relationship, construction methods, fiber requirements, equipment, locating practices, and engineering standards have continued to change. Gillum said ElectriCom’s ability to understand LightStream’s specific requirements and adapt to those changes has been an important part of the partnership.

“ElectriCom is willing to go down that journey with us and say, ‘Let’s do this together,’” he said. “It truly feels like a trusted partnership.”

Reducing Oversight Costs Through Consistent Execution

Every broadband provider has its own construction standards, network designs, documentation requirements, and expectations. A dependable fiber construction partner must learn those requirements and consistently apply them in the field.

Gillum described the quality of ElectriCom’s work as “impeccable,” pointing specifically to the team’s adaptability and understanding of LightStream’s standards.

That confidence has also created a measurable financial benefit.

Engineering firms may recommend assigning an onsite engineer to follow construction crews and verify that work complies with the network owner’s specifications. Because ElectriCom understands LightStream’s requirements and has demonstrated consistent execution, Gillum does not believe that additional level of oversight is necessary.

“I have full faith and belief that ElectriCom doesn’t need that babysitter,” Gillum said. “It allows me to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in engineering costs.”

Those savings can then be directed back into LightStream’s network.

“That translates into more fiber in the ground, more connected customers, and better service for a very rural part of Indiana,” he added.

The result illustrates the wider value of dependable construction. Quality work does more than reduce defects or rework. It can lower oversight requirements, stretch available funding further, and allow broadband providers to reach additional customers.

Accountability When Challenges Arise

Unexpected conditions are unavoidable in construction. The defining issue is how a contractor responds

when a problem occurs.

Gillum said ElectriCom has consistently demonstrated transparency, accountability, and a willingness to correct issues.

“There is accountability and ownership,” he said. “If an issue happens, they say, ‘You’re right. We’ll make this right.’ That is a true asset and what brings me back to ElectriCom without really looking anywhere else.”

That responsiveness extends from routine construction needs to major network outages. Gillum said he is confident he can contact people throughout ElectriCom’s organization and receive a timely response.

This level of accessibility has helped the relationship evolve beyond a traditional owner-contractor arrangement.

“It’s not about a dime. It’s about a relationship,” Gillum said. “I don’t feel that way with ElectriCom. It feels honest, open, and transparent.”

Choosing the Right Rural Fiber Construction Partner

For broadband providers, selecting a construction partner based only on initial cost can overlook the factors that ultimately determine a project’s success.

A strong rural fiber construction partner should be able to:

• Learn and follow the network owner’s standards

• Adapt to changing field and project conditions

• Communicate openly with the owner and engineering team

• Build productive relationships with community stakeholders

• Deliver safe, high-quality construction

• Take ownership when problems arise

• Respond quickly during outages or urgent situations

• Support both current construction and long-term network growth

For Gillum, ElectriCom brings those qualities together.

“I need their support and expertise, and I know they are the experts,” he said. “I also know they are accountable and responsive. Those three things create a perfect pyramid for me. They check every box.”

His recommendation to other broadband providers is straightforward:

“Any organization would be very fortunate to have ElectriCom do anything for them.”

Infrastructure Built for Long-Term Community Impact

The partnership between LightStream and ElectriCom began with two hospital connections. It has since supported community-wide gigabit networks, fiber-to-the-home deployment, and continued broadband growth across rural Indiana.

More importantly, it demonstrates what can happen when a broadband provider and construction partner share a long-term commitment to the communities behind the network.

Rural fiber broadband construction is not simply about completing a defined scope of work. It is about building infrastructure that supports healthcare, education, business, communication, and future economic opportunity—and constructing it well enough to serve those communities for years to come.

ElectriCom has provided dependable telecommunications infrastructure construction since 1960. To discuss an upcoming rural broadband or fiber construction project, contact the ElectriCom team.