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Advisors have been key to the success of Boldyn as the firm pursues their mission of providing connectivity to U.S. military installations.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Boldyn Networks is spearheading over 90 network infrastructure projects on 70 military bases across the United States, but the firm has even higher hopes for the near future.
“Within the next 12 months, we’re going to double that number,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Lou Zeisman, who now serves as military liaison for Boldyn Networks’ U.S. business.
According to Zeisman, the Covid pandemic served as a wake-up call to the U.S. Armed Forces, stressing the need for on-base connectivity to become reliable and consistent.
“We are gaining momentum,” he said.
Zeisman was joined by retired U.S. Navy Admiral Bill French at Broadband Communities Summit West to discuss the importance of connectivity on U.S. military bases, and the importance it has on maintaining high morale among American servicemembers.
‘Readiness for the family’
French said the need for connectivity on bases is more than meets the eye.
“It’s quality of life, it’s readiness for the family,” he said. “Readiness for the family means readiness when it comes time to deploy, whether it’s the Army, the Air Force, the Navy.”
French called it “critical for our success as a service” to ensure bases have adequate connectivity.
To drive home the need for connectivity, French shared a story from a meeting he had with an admiral who would put his cellular phone on the windowsill to get reception. The retired admiral said it was just a small example showing that lack of connectivity can impact even those with the highest ranks in the military.
French said he first got involved with advocating for increased base connectivity several years ago.
“I was concerned about making a difference for service members and their families,” he said. “That’s the business I’m in.”
Zeisman talked about how Covid impacted life on military bases as part of the reasons for his passion.
“If your child can’t Zoom to school living on a military installation. If he or she has to jump in mom and dad’s car to go outside the fence line, the safe and secure environment, to go to school on a Zoom session outside, that is a sin,” he said.
‘Speed to market does matter’
Like Zeisman, he stressed that relationships and education are a key factor in Boldyn’s success with the military, including Boldyn’s willingness to take on retired military officers as trusted advisors.
According to Zeisman, so far, the Navy has been the easiest branch to deal with when it comes to base access and site acquisition.
As Boldyn doesn’t operate as an internet service provider (ISP), Zeisman said most of their work involves constructing towers for major carriers, though he said they’ll work with any ISP that can help accomplish the mission of on-base connectivity.
He stressed that patience is of the essence when dealing with the military.
“They have 120 percent workload every single day, and your fiber run, your tower, it might not be the most important thing,” he said. “That’s just the way it is.”
Yet, Zeisman said there are still timelines that need to be met. He added that sometimes people need to be held accountable.
“Speed to market does matter,” he said.
Zeisman said, however, the military has bought into the need for connectivity on-base.
“The senior commanders talk about smart warehouses, airfields of the future,” he said. “Educate our leaders on the reasons why. Always tie it back to the families and the soldiers, and equal it to readiness and quality of life, and you will win.”
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