Technology shifts, competitive pressures and rising customer expectations make it harder than ever for service providers to feel confident in their efforts. Too often, providers look for ways to solve a problem quickly, economically and on their own, but finding the right assortment of products is only half of the battle. Arguably more important is identifying vendors who will provide more than technology – a true support system of people within an ecosystem who know how to help, collaborate fully and prioritize lasting resolutions over quick gains.

For many providers, Adtran has become a haven. We’re a trusted partner that combines innovative solutions with a culture of collaboration and responsiveness. More than a technology supplier, Adtran builds long-term relationships that help providers deliver reliable connectivity, empower communities and grow with confidence. Whether it’s helping a cooperative expand services into the broadband space or enabling a regional ISP to modernize its network, Adtran brings people, technology and expertise together to deliver lasting value.

My favorite part about working with these partners is that we all know each other. You can just pick up the phone and you know that person is going to be familiar with the issue and with the other partners involved.
- Dan Marcure, CTO at JCE Co-op

The strength of our partnerships lives in our shared purpose. Our global partner ecosystem comprises over 300 partners – each bringing expertise aligned with the journey service providers are on – by design. We’re rooted with key consulting engineering firms, like Vantage Point Solutions, which not only develop concepts and deployment designs but also help ISPs win major grant funding in both private and public sectors.

Our reselling community extends this expertise by advising on the best-fit solutions and timing of delivery, which can be a game-changer for rural ISPs. Core Telecom Systems collaborates regularly with both Vantage Point Solutions and Adtran to position technology at the right place and time, with the right inventory and perfectly spaced lead times.

This tripod of partnerships has created a sturdy and lasting resource JCE Co-op can not just rely on, but thrive with.

From a frustrating vendor lock-in to the open systems of Adtran

The broadband industry never stands still. Platforms that once led the market eventually hit their limits, leaving providers searching for a path forward. Escalating costs, lagging performance and reactive support often make that decision inevitable.

Adtran stands apart by anticipating market needs and designing solutions with foresight. Our SDX OLT platform, for example, enables providers to offer up to ten times the speed of competing cable services at a fraction of the cost. The result is a foundation that not only solves today’s challenges and those of the next generation, but also gives ISPs the opportunity to truly compete, offer better value to subscribers and create a clear path for growth.

When JCE Co-op in northwest Illinois began facing end-of-life issues with its legacy platform, lackluster services and ignored feature requests, the team saw an opportunity to rethink its approach. Adtran’s open, scalable technology, combined with a reputation for dependable support, offered the future-ready path JCE Co-op needed. The most exciting part, says CTO Dan Marcure, is that “when you bring an idea to Adtran, they actually come back with new elements to the idea, and work to make it a reality.”

With Adtran, JCE Co-op found not just new technology but a partner that could adapt technology to their growth. Transparent pricing, proactive collaboration and forward-looking design made the transition seamless and strategic.

One of the greatest pleasures of working with Adtran is how receptive they are to our ideas. Many vendors listen and take notes, but that’s the last you hear of it. Adtran listens, follows up and brings back solutions that show they truly understood what we needed to succeed.
– Dan Marcure, CTO at JCE Co-op

This responsiveness defines how Adtran works with every customer at every level. The goal isn’t to sell a solution, but to solve challenges together.

Three partnerships are better than one

At Adtran, partnership means more than a shared purchase order – it's a collection of expertise working on a shared goal. Customers consistently tell us how much they value having a partner that not only contributes but actively works with other key partners to finish the job at hand. Many vendors often work only with consultants or only with resellers, and their collaboration models are often murky and ambiguous.

For JCE Co-op, collaboration extended across Adtran’s ecosystem. Vantage Point Solutions, a premier engineering and consulting firm for the broadband industry, helped secure a whopping 14 funding awards totaling $94 million and played a key role in network planning. Their work to capture capital, resources and network design was critical. Vantage Point has firm confidence in Adtran technology because it’s reliable.

Kevin Kloehn, VP of customer relations at Vantage Point Solutions, says: “When we collaborate with Adtran, we know exactly what we’re going to get: a high-quality product backed by a strong engineering team with an equally strong customer focus. We never have to second-guess that decision. Adtran has always been a reliable, customer-focused partner, and that consistency is what makes them stand out in the industry.”

The collaboration didn't stop there. Core Telecom, while nationally present, leveraged its proximity in St. Louis to provide rapid fulfillment, warehousing and integrated cabinet solutions that kept builds on schedule, even during supply chain challenges. Core’s deep understanding of Adtran technology ensures JCE Co-op can rely on all three partners seamlessly, creating a dependable support network when it matters most.

Such a noble goal requires a noble execution of teamwork. We must all operate like we’re one organization. We’re excited to see JCE Co-op accomplish so much with us and our partners.
- Jeremy Harris, VP of North America sales at Adtran

Longevity proves confidence

Partnerships which last prove how deep they are. Providers that choose Adtran often see not only network growth but a new level of assurance in their long-term strategy.

JCE Co-op began its broadband journey with about 2,500 members. Within three years, that number grew to more than 8,000. By leveraging the Mosaic One software suite, the SDX fiber access platform and the Intellifi® home Wi-Fi app, JCE Co-op has accelerated brand awareness and take rates like never before.

Today, long-term vision continues. JCE plans to add 3,000 subscribers per year over the next three years – growth powered by reliable partnerships and future-ready platforms.

Across the industry, many of Adtran’s relationships span decades. Our partners stay with us because we evolve with them, delivering the technology, expertise and service reliability they can rely on as part of their business strategies.

Teamwork makes community impact stronger

The impact of strong partnerships extends far beyond operations. Broadband providers working with Adtran are transforming lives in the communities they serve.

For JCE Co-op, that meant enabling new opportunities for work, learning and connection in rural Illinois. With Adtran’s Intellifi® platform, members can now manage their home networks directly, while operators gain the insight to resolve issues faster. The co-op’s investment in Adtran's proactive fiber monitoring solution has improved network resiliency, allowing faster identification and resolution of outages, which were critical across leased fiber routes.

JCE Co-op also helped establish a fiber training program at Morrison Technical Institute with the Fiber Broadband Association to offer VR-based learning experiences that allow students to explore splicing and network maintenance. These programs bring the much-needed expertise to the industry while also helping new generations grow their careers in telecommunications. Furthermore, these initiatives strengthen the local workforce and enhance brand recognition across the community, reflecting a shared commitment to progress.

Partnering is a strategy – choose wisely

Strong partnerships create resilience. They ensure supply chains are reliable, projects stay on schedule, multiple experts are available and solutions evolve with real-world challenges. Working with Adtran doesn’t feel like working with a vendor – it feels like being part of a team equally invested in success.

Partnership also means trust:

• Trust that when you call, there is a team of experts ready to help
• Trust that your feedback is heard and acted upon
• Trust that the solutions you deploy today will scale to meet tomorrow’s needs

A haven for the long term

Customers don’t switch vendors lightly. It often takes years of unmet needs and stalled innovation before that decision is made. But when the time comes, they look for more than a new product – they want a partner they can trust to stand beside them through every challenge and milestone, supported by an ecosystem of expertise.

Every collaboration reinforces our belief that when people and purpose align, innovation follows. That’s the foundation of every Adtran partnership: accessible, collaborative and grassroots.

Adtran has earned this trust. Through longstanding relationships, responsive support and a shared vision for the future, we help providers not only keep pace with change but lead it.

Because true partnership doesn’t end at deployment. It grows stronger with every connection built together.