Innovation From
the Edge to the Core

How Regional ISPs are Bridging the Digital Divide

The digital divide in North America is leaving millions without adequate broadband. Incumbents operate in islands of connectivity, serving densely populated areas and, at a national scale, perpetuating the digital divide in the gaps in between their service footprints. Regional ISPs have a clear role in closing that gap.

These regional ISPs operate in a highly fragmented landscape, including smaller wireless and FTTH incumbents, satellite ISPs, electric co-ops, tribal communities, and municipalities in public/private partnerships. These regional ISPs face the same cyber threats and operational challenges as their Tier 1 counterparts, but with far fewer resources and revenue-generating population density. As a result, many regional ISPs have developed highly innovative business models for access and core technology, partnerships, financing and services.

The discussion will cover:

• Three ISPs that have taken an innovative approach to their business, as detailed in a recent STL Partners report
• Why regional ISPs need to double down on core security basics such as DDoS protection
• How ISPs have created new revenue by offering managed services
• Core network capabilities required for IPv4-IPv6 management