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Telecom Business Review: Specials Magazine
Viasat
Enterprise-Wide Telecom Modernization for Military Bases, Test and Training Ranges, and Other Govern
Key Challenges in Legacy Systems Outdated infrastructure is hindering the mission-critical operations of our nation's military bases, test and training ranges, and other government installations. As a 30-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, I've witnessed firsthand the debilitating effects of legacy systems. These antiquated networks struggle to keep pace with the demands of modern warfare, leaving our forces and other government agencies vulnerable to cyberattacks and operational inefficiencies. Military bases, test and training ranges, and other government installations are the critical infrastructure underpinning the nation's security, operational efficiency, and continuance in the event of catastrophic events, domestic upheaval, warfare, and other attacks. These facilities, often sprawling across vast geographical areas, rely on robust and reliable telecommunications to support mission-critical operations. Yet, aging legacy systems, plagued by outdated technology and limited scalability, are increasingly becoming bottlenecks, jeopardizing mission success. Some of the key challenges with these legacy systems include: 1. Limited Bandwidth and Scalability: Legacy systems struggle to handle the ever-increasing demand for data transport and bandwidth-intensive applications, video conferencing, remote access, edge-based machine learning, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), other real-time situational awareness, and data analytics. 2. Security Vulnerabilities: Outdated equipment and software lack the latest security features, making them susceptible to cyber threats. 3. Interoperability Issues: Incompatible systems hinder seamless communication and data sharing between various military/ government units and agencies. 4. High Maintenance Costs: Aging infrastructure requires constant maintenance and repair, leading to significant operational expenses. Furthermore, parts and software needed for repair may be sparse if not obsolete.
Top Telecom Engineering Services 2025
ONUG Communications
Engineering the Backbone of a Connected Nation
Danny Huffman, Owner and President
ONUG Communications is an engineering-focused telecom firm with national reach supported by advanced GIS-based design capabilities. The company specializes in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-X (FTTx), and modern communications infrastructure. It delivers comprehensive planning, engineering and design solutions that combine engineering precision with a partnership-driven approach. It supports communications providers, private enterprises and government agencies that rely on high-performance voice, data and video networks across long-haul, metro and access environments. Defined by a customer-centric ethos, ONUG is designing and building networks for the industry’s next frontier, from hyperscalers interconnecting data centers to regional providers shifting to all-fiber architectures. Automation and advanced design tools power its engineering process, allowing teams to compare multiple scenarios, quantify capital impacts and chart the most efficient path forward. This helps customers make data-backed decisions with the confidence that every dollar spent is optimized. Customers consistently highlight ONUG’s transparency, responsiveness and personal touch. Project managers maintain proactive communication, anticipating challenges while keeping clients informed on permitting, environmental reviews and scheduling. In a field often dominated by transactional vendors, ONUG operates as an integral extension of their existing workforce, rather than as a traditional third-party vendor. Developing Modern Talent for a Connected Industry As telecommunications rapidly evolves through AI, machine learning and software-driven design, ONUG invests heavily in cultivating modern engineering talent. Danny Huffman, owner and president of ONUG Communications, who also teaches fiber network design through industry partner Light Brigade, emphasizes the company’s culture of continual learning and humility.
Telecom Engineering Services
Securing Your On-Prem Active Directory Environment
Brian Wozniak, Director - Infrastructure Engineering (Network, Voice, Systems Engineering, Security), Zurn Elkay Water
Telecom Engineering Services
The Power of Efficiency: Strengthening Your Safety Network through Engaging Technology
Shaun Carvalho, Chief Safety Officer, Shawmut Design and Construction
Telecom Engineering Services
IoT Sensor Networking With LoraWAN
Stacy Lacy, Chief Technology Officer, INVISTA
Broadband Network Solutions
Engineering the Future of Telecommunications: Challenges, Collaborations, and Innovations
Mital Chavda, P.E., Sr Director Engineering, Valmont Industries, Inc
Optical Fiber
Championing Strategic Partnerships for Fiber Expansion
Alec Severson, Fiber Optic Project Manager, Irby Utilities
Telecom Engineering Services
Driving Global Change and Transformation
Quentin SaLay, Vice President Human Resources, Freewheel – A Comcast Company
Telecom Infrastructure Services
Overcoming Network Security Challenges with Automation and Advanced Protection
Adam Morton, Director of IT Engineering & Restaurant Technology, CKE Restaurants, Inc
IN MY OPINION
Telecom Engineering Services
From Automation to Autonomy: The Dawn of Intelligent Quality
Gregory Goldshteyn, Video Engineering & Quality Assurance, Fox Networks Group
LAST WORD
Telecom Engineering Services
Incorporating Greener Network Designs Into Our Wine & Spirits Business
David Dutt, Head of Network, Pernod Ricard [EPA: RI]
IN FOCUS
The Open Access Revolution: Redefining Fiber Infrastructure for a Digital Society
The Open Access Fiber Network model separates infrastructure from services, fostering competition and innovation, making high-speed internet an essential utility comparable to water and electricity.
Designing Resilient Telecom Networks: Engineering Services for Urban and Rural Areas
Telecom network engineering now prioritizes resilient, always-on connectivity using meshed architectures, hybrid backhaul, AI-driven operations, and power autonomy to ensure uninterrupted service in both urban and rural environments.
EDITORIAL
Building the Fiber Backbone of a Digital-First Future
Fiber network construction is no longer a long-range infrastructure plan; it is an immediate execution priority. Rising data demand from 5G, cloud platforms and AI workloads is forcing operators to accelerate fiber deployment while maintaining build quality and cost discipline. The emphasis has shifted to networks that can scale quickly, support dense urban environments and extend reliable connectivity into underserved regions. Speed, permitting efficiency and construction precision now directly influence how fast service providers can activate new capacity.
Telecom engineering services are responding by assuming broader responsibilities across the project lifecycle. Engineering firms are increasingly involved in route planning, permitting coordination, construction management and network validation, rather than operating in isolated phases. Digital design tools, geospatial planning and automated workflows are being used to reduce rework, manage right-of-way constraints and address labor limitations.
Investment and policy dynamics continue to shape deployment strategies. Public funding programs and private capital are accelerating fiber builds, particularly in rural and suburban markets, but they come with strict timelines and compliance requirements. This has led to increased collaboration among operators, municipalities, utilities and specialized engineering providers.
Reflecting these deployment pressures, the fiber network construction and telecom engineering services market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6 to 10 percent through the latter half of the decade.
The magazine features a thought leadership piece by Adam Morton, director of IT engineering & restaurant technology at CKE Restaurants, Inc., discussing the challenges of securing remote and distributed networks and how enforced VPN access, endpoint security, incident response planning and user training are used to reduce risk. It also features an article by Stacy Lacy, chief information officer at INVISTA, highlighting how LoRaWAN is expanding what industrial IoT can practically achieve by lowering the cost and complexity of sensor deployment.
We hope this edition helps readers see how accelerated fiber deployment, end-to-end telecom engineering services and smarter network design are coming together to build scalable, resilient connectivity for the demands of a digital-first world.
