The simple step small ISPs should be taking to grow their business

In this episode of Connected Nation, Jessica Denson revisits with Ben Elkins, CEO of Utah Broadband and AireBeam, to discuss the outsized impact that small and medium-sized internet service providers (ISPs) can have on closing the Digital Divide. 

From strategic builds in underserved communities to innovative fiber solutions in mobile home parks, Ben shares how these regional providers are solving last-mile connectivity challenges, preparing for BEAD funding, and competing with big-name ISPs — all while putting customer service and community first. 

Learn how being small actually offers a big advantage in today’s broadband landscape.

Recommended Links:

AireBeam Website 

Utah Broadband Website 

Ben Elkins LinkedIn 

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:00 Managing two ISPs
• 7:30 Culture & community focus
• 9:00 Coverage area & customers
• 11:30 Fiber for mobile home parks
• 13:06 Challenges in the industry
• 15:23 The role of small ISPs in closing the Digital Divide
• 22:48 State-level BEAD progress
• 26:23 Looking ahead: Technology & infrastructure
• 27:36 Major projects in the pipeline
• 31:57 Conclusion + Outro

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:08):

This is Connected Nation, an award-winning podcast focused on all things broadband from closing the digital divide to improving your internet speeds. We talk technology topics and impact all of us, our families, and our neighborhoods. On today's podcast, you'll learn why bigger isn't always better, especially when it comes to connectivity. We'll talk with leadership at Utah Broadband and AireBeam about the impact small and medium sized internet service providers can have on connecting millions of Americans. Plus, get a little business advice for those smaller ISPs on how to stand out in a crowd. I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation. I'm Jessica Denson, and today my guest is Ben Elkins, the CEO of Utah Broadband. And AireBeam, you may recognize his name. That's because we've had Ben on before when he was running just one company. <laugh>, nice to have you join us again, Ben. Ben Elkins (01:04):

Oh, Jessica, it's a pleasure. I always like, uh, getting to sit down and talk to you, so thank you for having me again. Jessica Denson (01:08):

Yeah, I always enjoy it. Um, where are you at today? Ben Elkins (01:12):

You know, uh, funny. I'm, I'm back in Arizona today, but I was in Utah Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. So, <laugh>, do Jessica Denson (01:19):

You just drive back and forth or do you have the luxury of flying? I, Ben Elkins (01:23):

Uh, Delta has gotta know me real well, <laugh>, so Jessica Denson (01:27):

Get those smiles. <laugh>. Yeah. Ben Elkins (01:28):

Yeah. The stewardess, the pilot kind of smile and they see me now. So Jessica Denson (01:34):

Give you a little wink. Here's a little extra <laugh>. Yeah. So, uh, some big changes in your life. We just mentioned us, is last time we talked, so I want to catch us up on what you've been doing. Yeah. Um, share why you shifted into running both companies. Ben Elkins (01:48):

Yeah, for sure. So, um, as you know, AireBeam, Utah Broadband and then Info Wests and Fiber Fast Homes, those are our four broadband companies, all part of Boston, Omaha Broadband. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And, um, we've had some really good success with AirBeam growing, um, AireBeam over the last three years and really making a, a, a difference in, in rural Arizona and Boston. Omaha came to me with a intriguing opportunity. They said, Hey, we really like what you're doing at AireBeam. Um, can you do the same thing with Utah Broadband? And, um, at first I was like, whoa, how, how could I do both? Um, but then I thought about it and it was like, it kind of fit a lot of the things that I really wanted to do, and it, it just really aligned well, and I had to get the check off from my family to make sure they were okay with it, <laugh>. But once, um, once I got the green light there, I went back to, um, the, you know, the board and said, yeah, let's do this. And it's been exciting and awesome last 12 months. Jessica Denson (02:51):

And when you say it really checked some things for you, were, were there some things that you were excited about, like tackling some challenges or, or what was it that, what were boxes for you? Ben Elkins (03:00):

Yeah, for sure. So, you know, every little, uh, ISP or small to medium sized ISP has different issues. And, you know, from air beam's issues, when I took over them, AireBeam had this amazing management team, um, but they just, uh, had a real problem selling and marketing what they are started to build there at AireBeam. And they needed some direction there. And then, but AireBeam didn't really have a name or a brand. They were just kind of like the redheaded stepchild of Pinal County. So it was really fun growing that and still is, I I, I love growing AireBeam in that sense. Utah Broadband, on the other hand, is based in Draper, Utah, which is a suburb of Salt Lake City. They're a much bigger brand, and they're a much bigger presence in Utah. So it was a different challenge in the sense where I didn't have this company that no one knew. People know who Utah Broadband is. They're kind of a leader in that small to medium sized rural Utah. They were the only ones providing broadband, um, service to anyone in rural Utah for the last 15, 20 years. And so, I mean, it was a different leadership spot where, and different challenges Utah Broadband had versus, so it kind of, I was like, okay, I don't have to duplicate this as a totally new challenge, which was great. Jessica Denson (04:17):

So, uh, how do you balance that? As in, do you go, do you go to Utah for a few days and head over to Arizona, do a lot of Zoom calls? What is kind of your approach? Ben Elkins (04:28):

So, yeah, so great question. So I was kind of trying to figure this out. What were the best thing to do is <laugh> and I, I try to mix it up and go every other week. So one week I'm in Arizona, next week I'm in Utah. And the only way I can really pull that off is, is having a really good, really two things, some really good leadership. And I created that at Utah Broadband. They already had some really good pieces. And then I promoted a couple folks. Um, there was an, an operations, I thought kind of a hole at Utah Broadband. And I promoted this, um, la, uh, lady named Athena Ridell. And she is incredible. And I got her in charge of operations. And, um, actually they have an incredible team. They have a, they have an incredible IT manager, uh, engineering department named Shem, and they have Mike Simmons and, and Lee and uh, Chris.
(05:21)
And it's just a really good team. And then to kind of mesh 'em together, I integrated some of the air management with them. And my right hand at AireBeam is this incredible woman named Melinda Fleming. And I kind of meshed her in with that leadership team and kind of integrated some synergies with Utah Broadband and AirBeam. And then to really kind of break, tie it all in together. Boston Omaha has been extremely supportive. I probably, there's no way I really could have done this without Butch Burgers and Max Meer at, at corporate. Those two have really been so supportive and, and connected the two. And, you know, Butch comes out there to support me about once a month, uh, which is incredible. So me and him do a lot of the business development together. And, um, anyway, it's, it's been an incredible partnership and watching both companies grow. It's even, it's like the icing on the cake. Right. So, Jessica Denson (06:14):

And I, I have to pause you for just a second there. Did you say his name was Butch Berg's? Ben Elkins (06:19):

Yes. Yes. Jessica Denson (06:20):

That sounds like a, uh, an anchor name that, uh, somebody picked out, you know, for Anchorman. <laugh> is an amazing name. I love it. Please tell him I said so I Ben Elkins (06:29):

Know for sure. He's like the mayor of Omaha, so maybe, maybe one of the secret sauces is his name. <laugh>. Jessica Denson (06:37):

It's fantastic. IWI want, I wanna work with Butch Burgers. Yeah. Uh, well, right. While researching for this discussion, obviously we've talked about in the past, but I noticed that, uh, some things about Utah broadband and, and it where you feel like they, they, they mesh and where you feel like they're different. We'll go through that through here, but I do wanna just spotlight a little bit on Utah broadband for just a moment. 'cause it really focused on the idea that we care, when I was looking through the website mm-hmm <affirmative>. And this one, uh, quote, which I'm gonna send to my CEO <laugh>. I'm just kidding. We have a great team here. But, um, I do wanna point out it says, quote, we have a culture of caring and family. Our team is strong because we care about each individual and recognize their unique gifts and talents. We value each employee their interest and their families. So is, is Utah a very family oriented company that you, that is, you know, that's kind of first. Ben Elkins (07:31):

Yeah, great question and, and definitely Utah Broadband, um, family is extremely important. We have, um, I think two or three couples that actually are working there. But I would say one of the things about Utah Broadband is they extremely care about the product that they have and the service they're delivering to their customers. Utah Broadband provides an incredible fixed wireless service all over, um, rural Utah in seven different counties. And every single person there will give you a story about, Hey, I climbed this mountain 16 years ago and help build that tower, or I did this. Jessica Denson (08:08):

Oh, wow. Ben Elkins (08:09):

And, and they, they kind of look at it as a badge of honor, and they created a network that is really good, and you, you add that into a, a really neat fiber footprint that they're building in the Wasatch back in certain areas in the Wasatch front. Um, there's just a lot of pride at Utah Broadband and the whole We Care. That's something that I think both Utah broadband really have branded on their chest, but like, there's a real personal, like if someone actually calls in to cancel, like there's people devastated around Utah broadband, and you know, when you have tens of thousands of customers, you will get a cancellation. I tried to explain that. I, I love that they care so much, but, um, that does happen occasionally. It just, it, it just shows that, um, the blood, sweat and tears and how much they really do care about each other. I think that's probably the biggest difference. They, they really do love each other at Utah Broadband. They care about the company and they care about the customers. Jessica Denson (09:04):

So you mentioned, um, an area that, uh, Utah Broadband covers seven counties. What if you're looking at a map, what area of Utah is that? Ben Elkins (09:14):

So, yeah, great question. So it's really Salt Lake, it's Northern Utah, um mm-hmm <affirmative>. I would say Salt Lake. Um, if you're looking at a map, not to get too granular, but you have like Utah County and um, and then you have like Summit County on the, is the Wasatch back. So think of like Park City, Utah to Salt Lake, to Provo Canyon, all the way to, to, um, oh gosh, Payson on the other side of the Wasatch front on the Wasatch back. Um, that whole, uh, area from like Sundance. I mean, everyone knows where Sundance is to, um, you know, Charleston to Daniels all the way to Germany Ranch. So that whole Park City in the Wasatch back area covers about, I don't know, maybe 30 or 40 miles is where our fiber footprint is. And then lots of different counties, uh, throughout that whole area. But it's definitely northern compared to if you look at it from a map of the state. Jessica Denson (10:12):

So, um, if is Sundance, is that where they have Sundance, that area right there, right, Ben Elkins (10:18):

Yeah. Is Jessica Denson (10:18):

That where they have the big, big big festival that's Ben Elkins (10:21):

Yep. The Sundance festival. We have, uh, we've been providing, um, internet in that area for I guess 17 years. 16 years. Jessica Denson (10:28):

Does, is there something to be said when suddenly all these people descend on that area? Is it, does it mean you have to ramp up services? Ben Elkins (10:35):

Yeah, yeah. The, the, the internet definitely spikes for a couple weeks there, for sure in the wintertime. So, um, yeah, we definitely ramp up for those events. There's special events that we definitely are catered to the Utah, uh, communities and, and that would be one of them for sure. Jessica Denson (10:49):

And remind us for AireBeam, what parts of Arizona does it cover? Is it all of Arizona or just the rural areas, or, Ben Elkins (10:56):

Yeah, you know, air's a little unique. So our headquarters, or if you wanna call that our kind of where we're, our yard is and where our we're located, it's right in between Phoenix and Tucson, kind of in the middle. So we were the ones that provided rural broadband again, for Pinal County, which is like Casa Grande or Florence or Eloy, um, all the way to like Apache Junction, um, to, uh, Buckeye on the other side of the area. So I mean, we, again, that's been our primary focus from start to about three years ago. And then from an air perspective, we got heavily involved in, um, mobile home parks. Jessica Denson (11:36):

Yeah, we talked about that last time. It was my favorite <laugh>. Yes. Ben Elkins (11:39):

So we, uh, I know you love that. So we've, I do <laugh> actually, we've actually doubled and tripled down on that play. So we're all over, we've now gone into Maricopa County, which is Phoenix, uh, where Phoenix Scottsdale is, and we've done, um, quite a few parks now in Maricopa County, and we're expanding on that. So we have parks pretty much set up for the next, uh, two, three years. And that's, that's my big vision in Boston, Omaha's vision. So, Jessica Denson (12:09):

And some of my, uh, fascination with that was not, it's not just mobile homes, it's actual RVs, right? Ben Elkins (12:15):

Yeah. So, um, yeah, <laugh> we prefer, uh, and we have a mixture, right? Some of our parks, like, you'll have some that are called like RV resorts, right? Uhhuh <affirmative>. So you'll have a mixture of these parks. So let's say you have a thousand units there, you'll have, let's say 600 that we call mobile homes, and then they'll have 400 units of Pullins where you can just pull in your, your RV for a week or a month or whatever. So in those situations, we'll provide like a wifi service, and then we'll bring fiber into the park for the other six oh units. Jessica Denson (12:45):

I'm fascinated by it <laugh> it. So interesting. <laugh>, I just think about this RV life, and I'm gonna pull in, where do I get some wifi <laugh>? Ben Elkins (12:53):

I can give you a, uh, a tour of that area. Jessica Denson (12:56):

I know we need to make that happen, <laugh>. I know we really do. Um, are, are there some challenges and opportunities that are unique to the two areas covered by the two companies? Ben Elkins (13:06):

Yeah, there is. You know, um, I think there's, you know, as far as challenges go, just like everyone else, you know, competition, and, um, there's a lot of private equity out there that is throwing heavy money. And, and I think, uh, sometimes unwisely where they'll, um, overbuild areas where instead of trying to provide internet for all, they'll have two or three times they'll overbuild a certain area instead of, they could have gone to a town and actually helped the town out and put internet into a different town. So you're always, um, you have those challenges where, you know, companies will just fly by night and they'll throw internet, you know, fiber in the ground, and then all of a sudden you sit them up for sale. So that's always a challenge trying to, um, navigate those waters. We try to do protective builds at, at air being Utah, broadband, all Boston Oma, we try to be very strategic.
(13:58)
We look at first trying to help the communities out finding communities or areas. And I look at a community as like a mobile home park or a, a town that actually needs our service. And we actually go and interview the mayor and the town council and all that stuff first, and then we, we really say, okay, is this a good fit for us? And then also, do they already have fiber providers or high speed internet? Really good. And if they have really good service, then a lot of times they'll say, Hey, you know what, these guys are really served. They, they're set. And so we're very strategic in that sense. Where I don't think other companies do. I think at Boston, Omaha, we try to be extremely strategic on where we deploy our capital. And it, it's a great model for us, but we have to be very patient and sometimes very methodical about how we go about things. But with like, you know, Adam Peterson's leadership and, and Max and Butch, they kind of really have this vision for us over the next 5, 10, 15, 20 years. And, and I love it. And it's just, it's almost like a chess match instead of just a shotgun approach. So definitely different from a lot of companies, I would say. Jessica Denson (15:03):

I, I, I also think that's interesting. I mentioned in our open, uh, bigger is not always better when it comes to the digital divide, especially those last mile, the middle mile portions of this problem. Uh, talk about really the role of smaller and medium sized internet service providers within that space. Ben Elkins (15:23):

Yeah, great question. So, you know, there's a lot of situations because, you know, we'll put up infrastructure in rural America that we're the only one to help that. So when, as the expansion does come, and more and more folks and more and more developers build out to rural America, you know, we'll have the infrastructure already set up. And instead of having to rely on say, a Lumen or a, you know, a Comcast per se for your infrastructure, you know, a lot of our small ISPs have already built the infrastructure out in certainly rural areas because they don't look at it as penciling out for them in a, in a, in a smaller town, per se. Well, we've put the infrastructure around their own dollars, so we'll have that infrastructure built and ready to go. So when, uh, growth and development does happen, uh, we'll be able to help, uh, with a lot of developments. So I think that's a key. And for affordable housing, I think that's gonna be a really thing to watch for. I don't know how as a society we're gonna get around that, except for folks moving out to more rural areas. And hopefully companies like AirBeam and Utah Broadband can have a small piece of allowing that to happen, uh, by already having the infrastructure out for broadband. Uh, and the developers, whenever there's broadband and fiber opportunities, the developers love that, and they're more inclined to get into project that way. Jessica Denson (16:44):

Yeah. Having that access already isn't, you know, helps them sell. I'm sure. And, uh, uh, let's talk, let's dive into some of your experience in marketing ISPs, because obviously one of the reasons you were offered to come over to Utah broadband, or at least maybe obvious to me, <laugh>, is that, uh, you understood how to market it, how to find the voice, how to put it out there. Um, why is marketing so important to small or medium sized ISPs? Ben Elkins (17:10):

Yeah, great question. Um, and I think, you know, I, I hate saying this publicly, but I mean, it's, it's, it's more of a, a good thing to talk about. I guess our marketing is our, is almost like our bloodline to our company. And I think doing it strategically is very, very important. Um, at AireBeam, um, you know, we're extremely scientific and extremely, um, focused on marketing daily. We do SEO, we do door hangers, we do strategic events, but every dollar counts. Whereas larger ISPs will just throw out tens of thousands of dollars every day, and then they just throw it the wind and see what hits on the SEO model. When you're doing marketing on, on SEO from a small ISP perspective, they'll say, Hey, I want, I spent $10,000 on Google and I'm not really getting the results on I'm I'm supposed to be getting.
(18:03)
And the reason why is, is because they're not having the conversions. You know, it's one thing to actually do the marketing, and it's, it's a real science. You have to watch it every single day, and you have to tweak it daily. Uh, the keywords change, the area has changed, there's so much that goes into it. But then once you get that data come in, you have to have a team behind it that actually can convert that to sales. And that's kind of the, the missing piece that I think a lot of folks don't get. You have to have those really good inside salespeople who then get that information, and then they still have to go and talk to the residents. You know, that person may have wanted that service, but they may not be ready to go where the fence just quite yet. You have to talk to them, tell 'em your story, tell them why you should be a customer of Utah Broadband or AireBeam.
(18:49)
And that's the piece that I think instead of it being like a, a factory, you have to personalize it and really understand, like explain why we care to the actual consumer. And I think that piece and, and that piece, Jessica, isn't like just one call either. That could be a text, that could be a phone call, that could be email, that could be all the above. 'cause in society now, people are so extremely busy. I've talked to so many people that said, Hey, I really want your service, but, and your sales rep has contacted me two or three times. I just hadn't had time to get back to 'em. I'm like, oh, okay. So they may really want it, but they still haven't found the time to get back to 'em. So there's a whole science that goes into the follow up of that conversion. Jessica Denson (19:32):

So even if you're a smaller icep and you have a small team, the idea still is to take that marketing data and really use it out and about with the people that they interact with. Ben Elkins (19:44):

A hundred percent. And like I have companies that I compete against and, you know, let's just call it, you know, tier one type guys. Either they're in the cable industry or in the, um, the telco industry that are trying to get their market share versus me. They spend, you know, 50 to a hundred times more money than I do on a day-to-day basis. And I'm getting better results than them just because of how strategic we are. And we have to be, even though Boston Omaha is a publicly trade company, and we have great backing behind us, we still are that small gritty roll up your sleeves company. We can't just throw money at the door. So we are very strategic on every dollar and our conversions and how we connect with the customer, with the data that we're getting is so different than everyone else is doing. Jessica Denson (20:31):

That's a great piece of advice, though, to really work with your sales team that way. Yes. Um, are there any, uh, things that you would tell people to avoid the smaller ISPs? Ben Elkins (20:40):

Yeah, I, I would, I, I think Facebook ads are a little tricky. I think, um, you know, you have to have a lot of capital to get your money's worth on Facebook ads. I think there are, uh, they can be effective for like a, a larger tier one provider. I don't know how effective they are unless you're gonna really spend a lot of money at 'em. I've, I've gone down that road for a lot of years, and you gotta spend quite a bit of money. And we look at everything as an ROI, and when you return on your investment, when you look at how much that customer costs every day I look at, okay, was each customer cost for me to acquire that customer? And when I get into the rabbit hole of Facebook or some other, the platforms, my ROI never really matches up to where, um, it does to make where it makes sense to acquiring that customer. And that's another thing, Jessica, I don't think that a lot of the companies really look at their, their customer acquisition costs. And I think on a small ISP, you have to do that on a daily basis Jessica Denson (21:40):

And really just to examine that and stay up with it. Yes, it do you find that it changes Ben Elkins (21:45):

Regularly? Oh, yeah. Oh yeah. It, it changes regionally too. My cost for acquisition of a customer in Utah is different than it's in Arizona. So you have to be okay. You have to be flexible too. And to your point, season seasonality is a thing too. Um, we have metrics in, uh, we have metrics in, in Utah and in Arizona. There are certain times of the year for whatever reason, you know, you wanna barbecue a steak on the gr on the backyard. Well, there's certain times you actually wanna sign up for internet, believe it or not. So we have we'll up our spending certain seasons of the year because our metrics show that people like, um, signing up in those times, which is wild to me. I would never would've thought, I'm a steak guy, I like to barbecue a steak every day. I would've thought you'd sign up internet every day, <laugh>. But it doesn't, it does not work that way. So, Jessica Denson (22:31):

Well, let's talk about what's happening nationally right now with BEAD versus how states are tackling things. I know you're in two states with these, with the two organizations, so you kind of have like a broader view perhaps. Um, how do you think things are going from your point of view on the ground? Ben Elkins (22:48):

Yeah, so, you know, great question. Obviously, um, beat in a hole has not moved as fast as everyone hoped, right? Jessica Denson (22:56):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Ben Elkins (22:57):

We're in like year three or four of this, but let's not, uh, you know, cry and spill milk. Let's look at the forward here. So I think the, the process is going, um, well in Arizona, uh, they, we've all submitted our, our applications and, and air beams involved, um, with a host of other, uh, companies. You know, there was a lot of challenges. Um, a lot of, I guess, red tape that we had to go through that I didn't think was completely necessary. That being said, we've submitted, uh, you know, four applications on different areas and we'll find out, you know, who wins those. And then they have I round two starting up here in Arizona pretty soon. And then, um, uh, they should start awarding, um, I think awards in Arizona here in the next, you know, couple months. And in Utah they just had the applications closed.
(23:48)
So we all submit our applications. They're a little more methodical. Um, different states definitely are different, uh, ways. I like, um, I think Utah has a really good broadband director in Rebecca Dils. I like her a lot. She's just much more methodical in how they're, they're doing theirs. I thought that it was a little more, uh, cumbersome with some of the processes that they went through versus Arizona, but both of them were well, and, and we're definitely involved in, in both because, you know, kind of our, one of our mission statements at Utah Broadband and at AirBeam is, you know, helping rural, um, areas out. And those are, that's where our, our kind of specialty is, you know, helping the digital divide out. So, uh, we're excited on both. Um, I would say that I hope that the 90 day pause now, I hope that the new administration, one of the things that they do do is speed up the process on getting funds out and helping out with some of the red tape so we can do what we're supposed to do and get folks signed up for, for broadband internet in rural areas. Jessica Denson (24:47):

Well, we're excited to watch what happens. <laugh>, it's, it's interesting right now, uh, it's kind of, you don't know if they're gonna slow it or if they're gonna speed it up Yeah. Or what's gonna happen if they're gonna have new technologies. It's, it's a little lot of questions. Um, can, Ben Elkins (25:02):

Can I jump in real quick on that one, Jessica, Jessica Denson (25:04):

Real quick? Yeah, yeah. Dive in. Yeah, of course. Ben Elkins (25:06):

You said something there. On the new technologies, we're really hoping that they do consider, um, more of a hybrid approach with the fixed wireless. We think that with the fixed wireless, we think that in a lot of areas it can save the states enormous amount of money. We can still provide gig service to those folks instead of having to spend 10,000 or $15,000 of passing in some of these areas. We think fixed wireless makes a lot of sense. So, Jessica Denson (25:33):

So to, um, in other words, those that very last mile, those last little, the last home down at the end, maybe some other options. Ben Elkins (25:42):

Yes, yes. Not for everyone, right? But maybe Uhhuh, probably you take a hundred homes, we think maybe 15 of those hundred would be greatly benefited from the state to be able to provide the fixed wireless versus fiber to those homes just from a cost Jessica Denson (25:57):

Perspective. Makes sense. We've heard a lot about Leo satellite and others obviously. Um, so, uh, there's a lot of talk about what can be put into that mix. Um, what do you see on the horizon? What do you think is the next big technology since we've just talked about that a little bit, um, where do you think we're gonna have to pivot? I know there's a lot of talk about ai, but what do we need to support that and, and perhaps is there, are there other things that you see down the road? Ben Elkins (26:23):

Yeah, I, I would think, um, you know, obviously I'm a huge proponent of fiber, so I think fiber is a product that will be at this for a long time. But I'm also, um, I have my eye on satellite. I think satellite will be something that is not going away, and that will be a future, and it'll be a competitor of fibers for the next coming 20, 30 years. So I think, I think that will probably be our next, um, big revolution. It'll be a fiber push, and then the competition, I think is gonna come from satellite. I think there's always gonna be a fixed wireless on it as well. I think getting more spectrum is important as well. Um, I also think that, um, you know, the, the real key is it doesn't really matter to me if it's, if it, it's up being a fiber play or a fixed wireless, or a satellite. It's just getting everyone, uh, accessibility to high speed internet in today's world. So I think, I think kind of an all in approach probably is a smart thing to do. And, you know, that, that's kind of my, my 2 cents on that. Jessica Denson (27:20):

Yeah, it's a, it's an interesting time and things are moving so quickly on some of those fronts, uh, with technology, especially when you talk ai. Um, let's turn our attention to, again, back to Utah Broadband and AirBeam. Any upcoming projects or plans that you're excited about that you can share with us right now? Ben Elkins (27:36):

Yeah, for sure. So at Utah Broadband, we were super excited. We won. Um, we're almost calling ourselves government u because we're doing really good on the government grants. We won a, a great project for us, um, in West Mountain. And West Mountain is south of Salt Lake by about an hour. And we won the, the whole city's, uh, fiber project. So, um, we're doing that project, we kicked that off in January, and we're five months into it. We'll be completed by third or fourth quarter next year, providing five with the whole town of West Mountain. And then we also won, um, seven different towns of for a reconnect, uh, grant. Um, and we're going through all the, all the, you know, the, they call it the, the dotting the I's and crossing the T's and all the paperwork that the government has. Uh, and so we'll be starting that construction probably fourth quarter this year, or first quarter next year, uh, on seven different rural areas in Utah that really pair well with some of the areas that we already have.
(28:36)
And then we're extremely aggressive in a lot of our, um, our b um, uh, bids in Utah too. So those are things that we're super excited about in, in Utah. And then we're also expanding our, our fiber footprint, um, as well in the Wasatch bag. So those are all little things that, not really little, they're actually really big things, uh, for us at Utah Broadband that we're super excited about. From an air being perspective, our growth is in your favorite spot, the mobile homes <laugh>? Yes. So we are, um, with the support of Boston, we are, um, we've gotten probably three different, um, large nationwide type groups to partner with us, and we're their, we're their fiber providers. So we're going in and providing fiber to the parks that, again, helping the digital divide. Most, almost every park we go into has, you know, five to 50 meg of, of internet service or DSL level service, and they're, you know, kind of crying for, hey, optimum, everyone forgets about the mobile home park. So Jessica Denson (29:42):

Yeah, Ben Elkins (29:42):

We're doing that bridging the digital divide, but just in a different area and things that you wouldn't think of in the mobile home park. So we're, we're doing about six to eight parks every year, and these are large parks. These are parks that have, you know, anywhere from 800 to 2,500 folks. And, um, we're super excited about that from air perspec perspective. Jessica Denson (30:03):

And, you know, I I, I have an upcoming podcast that's gonna be focused on disaster preparedness, and it, it strikes me as you're talking about that, that for mobile home parks, it's a very important, um, during, uh, yes. You know, bad when, um, weather months, and we have a lot of unpredictable weather now. So how important is that to connect those homes there? Ben Elkins (30:25):

Oh, absolutely. Right. I mean, you think about it, um, a lot of these folks have their cell phone only right now mm-hmm Jessica Denson (30:33):

<affirmative>. Ben Elkins (30:33):

So they're clamoring for different kinds of, of data needs. And obviously in from a disaster preparedness in Arizona, we we're fortunate to where we don't have the tornadoes or the hurricanes or the earthquakes. Right. Jessica Denson (30:47):

Do you have, do you have, uh, wildfires? Ben Elkins (30:49):

We, we don't in the areas I'm putting, but we do have wildfires in some areas of Arizona Yeah. In the mountains mm-hmm <affirmative>. So in the parks that I have, it probably isn't as as relevant, but I'll tell you what, like, um, from a disaster relief, almost every single, I wouldn't say everyone, but I'd say 60 or 70% of the folks that live there have second homes somewhere, and to be connected to their other home, to see the, um, to be able to have connections, to hear the news from the other areas. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Because most folks there are streaming and stuff. So if you have a bad internet feed, you're not getting the news you need and that sort of thing. But unfortunately, I don't have the disaster relief probably model in Arizona that I would like if I, if the park, if my park was in, let's just call it Florida or California or somewhere like that, but Jessica Denson (31:40):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Yeah. It's a, it's, things are a little more moderate <laugh>. Right. That's good. Uh, okay. So I can't keep you all day. I always love talking to you, Ben. It's, it's a joy. Uh, but what do you hope people remember from about the two companies and your work? What do you hope they take away from our conversation today? Ben Elkins (31:57):

You know, from, from my perspective, I hope everyone can take consideration how hard my two teams work. Um, you know, Utah Broadband and AirBeam, I, I I, we asked for a lot of our employees and they deliver every single day. They really do care. Um, and I, I know we used that phrase before, but it's unique in this world how it's not a job, it's a career. And, and both the Utah broadband folks and, and the folks, I mean, I have, I have teams that really have Utah Broadband and airplane branded on their chest. And it means a lot to them, uh, both about, about how good that service is the customer's getting. And I think that they really wanna look at this as, Hey, I don't really look at this job as, you know, a job that I'm working here for a week or a month or a year.
(32:49)
They wanna look at it as a career forever. And, um, I hopefully that we can keep growing in the, in the right manner. And look the support of Boston, Omaha and leadership there. I think we're on a really good track to, to be that rural internet provider for in Utah and in Arizona and connecting mobile home parks. And we're just really growing something really special between Utah Broadband and AirBeam. And I'm just super proud of, of how ex, how well it's gone and, and how exciting the growth is and, and how well we've done. And, um, uh, I'm just excited. I guess that'd be <laugh>. Jessica Denson (33:22):

Well, congratulations on having the dual role with the two companies. Ben Elkins (33:27):

Oh, thank you very much, Jessica. I really appreciate it, Jessica Denson (33:29):

And I really enjoyed talking to you again today. I have to get out to a mobile Home Parks <laugh>. Listen, I'll find a way <laugh>, Ben Elkins (33:36):

If you ever come out to Arizona, I, I'll get you in one and I'll even take care of it for you. Jessica Denson (33:40):

Awesome. We'll do that. All right. Thank you so much, Ben. I really appreciate your time today. Ben Elkins (33:45):

Thank you, Jessica. I always love being on your show, so thank you so Jessica Denson (33:48):

Much. Yeah. Let me know when you got some updates on some of those projects. We'll do it, we'll do a follow up. Okay. Ben Elkins (33:53):

Okay. Sounds good. Jessica Denson (34:02):

Again, we've been talking with Ben Elkins, the CEO of Utah Broadband and AirBeam. I'll include a link to each company's website in the description of this podcast, and we have some news to share. The Connected Nation podcast just won an award of distinction from the Communicators Awards for podcast series Technology. This is the fourth national award the podcast has earned and including an award of excellence in 2024, which is the highest honor given by the Communicator Awards. I'm Jessica Denson. Thanks for listening to Connected Nation. If you like our show and wanna know more about us, head to connected nation.org or look for the latest episodes on iTunes, iHeartRadio, Google Podcast, Pandora, or Spotify.