With a mission of delivering affordable broadband internet service throughout rural America by providing emerging 5G and existing 4G solutions to remote locations that are being underserved by their current providers, Bridge Internet is repairing the country’s digital divide. By Jessica Jones
With a mission of delivering affordable broadband internet service throughout rural America by providing emerging 5G and existing 4G solutions to remote locations that are being underserved by their current providers, Bridge Internet is repairing the country’s digital divide.
Labeling reliable internet service as a necessity and equating it with essential needs, like power and water, the three-year-old company is using a state-of-the-art proprietary hybrid network to deliver the latest in wireless technologies. And after successfully installing its services in more than 100 territories, the company is currently partnering with entrepreneurs to rapidly expand internet availability throughout the country.
“In terms of internet service, there is a gap between the urban and rural areas of America,” noted Trip Camper, Bridge Internet’s principal CEO. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between large urban cities and small rural markets, delivering high-speed internet through wireless infrastructure. Since launching, we have signed and committed to building verticals in 104 rural markets over the next five years, spanning from territories in Idaho and Arizona all the way to Florida and in between. The purpose of our partnerships is to add thousands of more towers throughout the country in the next several years.”
Camper, who has a 30-plus-year background in the communications business, was instrumental in developing a well-oiled and scalable Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) business model that makes rural broadband a reality everywhere. Designing his business to include a seamless network operations center that includes engineering, security, troubleshooting, IP services and a state-of-the-art customer care center, Camper said his partnership opportunities are extremely unique.
“What we’re doing with Bridge Internet is unlike any franchise in the U.S.,” he noted. “It’s truly a passive opportunity; we don’t require anyone to sign a store lease because there’s no real estate involved, and our owners are not in charge of any employees. There really is no participation other than attendance at a few webinars, which are open to all of our franchisees. We even put together a marketing program, which helps our owners engage with the community.”
Partner involvement includes a capital contribution that helps pay for the infrastructure needed to build a broadband internet system within a designated area. Bridge’s proprietary automation technologies allow partners to view all aspects of the business in real time on any internet-connected device with a web browser. No industry experience is required, and investors enjoy a 50/50 net profit share with Bridge Internet.
“We handle all aspects of the sales, installation, billing, support, infrastructure, and maintenance,” Camper said. “Our experienced team will lead the partnership to success.”
And Camper said the service is a necessity in many underserved areas throughout the country.
“In the rural markets, most of what’s available is antiquated,” Camper said. “Internet service is delivered over twisted pair lines or satellites which are subject to weather interruption. Residents of these sections of the country believe that’s all that is available and nothing can be done. But that’s not true. Technology has improved so significantly, and we now have the ability to provide fast internet speed anywhere at any time.”
Bridge Internet’s state-of-the-art hybrid network utilizes a redundant fiber-optic backbone in addition to the latest in wireless technologies. According to Camper, the brand’s carrier-grade equipment is highly scalable, putting Bridge Internet into a class of its own.
“Our rapid deployment system ensures rural areas will have access to broadband right now – not years down the road,” Camper said. “Our proprietary system has been developed in partnership with industry-leading equipment manufacturers to provide a true carrier-grade solution that was designed for ease of installation and scalability. Our entire infrastructure is software upgradable to ensure the latest technologies are in place without requiring a truck roll. This allows our subscribers to experience service like never before.”
Over the next several years, Camper hopes to install Bridge Internet’s service in more than 500 towns across America.
“There is room for exponential growth here, and my ultimate vision for this company is to become a nationally recognized brand,” he concluded.
For more information about partnership opportunities with Bridge Internet, visit bridgeinternet.com/contact.
– Jessica Jones