How GIS is Supercharging the Broadband Industry

A decade ago, the broadband industry was humming along, largely unchanged in the way broadband buildouts were engineered and constructed since the widespread deployment of fiber optics. AutoCAD, Visio, and other traditional drafting tools ruled the market, excelling at creating construction work prints and permit documents. Meanwhile, project tracking was managed through clunky spreadsheets, with data siloed across multiple programs that was not easily shared.

Then came the seismic shift: the COVID 19 pandemic. Overnight, the broadband industry was forced to adapt to a world that demanded seamless remote work and interconnected data and systems. This global shake-up spurred an evolutionary leap for broadband engineering and construction – and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology became more prevalent as a means of working on connected data by multiple workers at the same time.  

The GIS Revolution

Unlike traditional drafting tools, which are “dumb” and limit collaboration to one user per map, GIS enables real-time, multi-user data sharing and editing. Teams can now work simultaneously on the same project, breaking down silos and driving efficiency. Project management tools, such as Smart Sheets and Site Tracker, also began to take over from Excel spreadsheets, streamlining workflow and allowing data to flow smarter, easier and faster to multiple stakeholders. At the heart of this transformation is the shared goal: providing broadband to every American. 

Smarter Tools, Faster Builds

GIS simplifies broadband builds by integrating engineering, construction inspection, and project management into one cohesive system. Field teams equipped with tablets running “Field Maps” can gather field data on-site and instantly share it with office staff. No more scanning, printing and manual drafting – GIS compresses timeline, enabling field data to flow seamlessly into permitting and design processes. Even cutting-edge technologies, like drones, street cameras, satellite, LiDAR, are becoming part of the GIS ecosystem. These tools provide insights, from soil types and land use, to concrete hardscape and building outlines. High-resolution imagery outshines mainstream providers, offering broadband engineers the most up-to-date data for make-ready analysis and beyond. 

Real-Time Insights for Better Decision-Making

GIS dashboards empower teams to make more informed decisions, prevent key information from falling through the cracks, and keep projects on time and on budget.  Plus, the integration of GIS data into project management software eliminates human errors, ensuring accuracy and transparency.  

A New Era

While the pandemic was a challenging time for the world, it was a wakeup call for the broadband industry. The status quo wasn’t enough to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The adoption of GIS technology has ushered in a new era of speed, data connectivity and innovation. Today, broadband providers are embracing GIS as a tool for smarter, faster builds and a connected future. The result? A more efficient industry that’s better equipped to achieve its goals of delivering reliable broadband to every corner of the country. The future of broadband is bright – and GIS is leading the charge.