Closing the Digital Divide in Rural Oregon: Windwave Communications at ITA Showcase, Podcast

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13d ago

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At this week's ITA Showcase, I sat down with Blake Lawrence of Windwave Communications to discuss how the company is helping bridge the digital divide in Oregon. Windwave Communications, a fiber optic provider with its own network, has been instrumental in connecting rural and remote areas in Eastern Oregon, providing critical infrastructure for businesses, schools, hospitals, and communities. Expanding Connectivity in One of America’s Most Remote Regions Oregon is a state of extremes—dense forests, coastal towns, vast deserts, and towering mountain ranges—but also counties larger than some U.S. states with populations under 10,000. This vast geography has historically made broadband expansion difficult, but Windwave Communications has been working to change that. “We design and build fiber optic networks for other carriers and have been connecting extreme rural areas for over 20 years,” said Blake Lawrence, emphasizing the company’s role in middle-mile fiber deployment and community broadband planning. With federal BEAD funding and the rise of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology, there is real potential to close the digital divide in these remote areas. While satellite services play a role, fiber remains the gold standard for reliability and speed, and Windwave is focused on delivering that first-class connectivity where it’s needed most. Supporting Data Centers and Large-Scale Fiber Projects Beyond serving rural communities, Windwave Communications plays a major role in Oregon’s growing data center industry. The Pacific Northwest—especially Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington—has become a hotspot for data center expansion, driven by cloud computing giants and the need for high-bandwidth, low-latency connections. “We build fiber connectivity between data center sites and work with counties to ensure that these investments benefit local communities,” Lawrence explained. Data centers contribute significantly to county tax revenues, and some of that funding is being reinvested into broadband expansion projects. Windwave’s expertise in building conduit banks, using specialized excavation equipment, and designing robust fiber networks makes them a key partner for data centers, large carriers, and government broadband initiatives. Working with Other Carriers and Organizations Windwave Communications isn’t just an ISP; it’s also a trusted partner for other telecom carriers, enterprises, and government entities. The company provides free consultations for businesses or communities exploring broadband projects. “If someone is considering a broadband expansion or applying for a large grant, we can help navigate the process,” Lawrence said. “Even if we’re not your final vendor, we want to help guide you in the right direction.” How to Connect with Windwave Communications Windwave Communications operates primarily in Oregon, but its expertise extends to broadband projects across multiple states. Whether you're a carrier looking for fiber partnerships, a business in need of connectivity, or a government agency seeking broadband expertise, Windwave is ready to assist. For more information, visit www.windwave.tc or Google Windwave Communications to find out how they can help.

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