CostQuest Associates

Fiber Connect - Orlando, FL
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-21 | KS
Come see CostQuest Associates at Fiber Connect 2026 in Orlando, FL from May 17-20th. We’ll be at booth #2011, come talk to us!
Also, on Tuesday, May 19th at 12:00pm, come find CostQuest’s CEO and President, Jim Stegeman, on an exclusive executive panel. Joined by fellow experts, hear how compliance, competition, and BEAD buildout will shape broadband investment and valuation.

NTCA Sales & Marketing Conference - Boston, MA
2026-05-03 - 2026-05-06 | Sheraton Boston
We’re attending the NTCA Sales & Marketing Conference, in Boston, MA, a conference dedicated to solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by rural broadband marketing and sales professionals. Come connect with us!

2026 Current Issues Conference - Santa Fe, NM
2026-04-21 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | KS
CEO and President Jim Stegeman will be speaking at the 2026 Current Issues Conference at New Mexico State University. He will speak on The Race to 100% panel, on April 21st at 10:30am.

WTA Spring Educational Forum - New Orleans, LA
2026-04-14 - 2026-04-21 | Royal Sonesta New Orleans
CostQuest Associates will be attending WTA’s Spring Educational Forum in New Orleans from April 12th-15th, 2026. Connect with us!
Also, come listen to members from our team, Rachelle Medalia and Brian Allenby, speak on competitive analysis, BEAD compliance, and much more. Times to be released soon.

Fiber for Breakfast Podcast
2026-04-08 10:30 - 11:00 | KS
CostQuest’s CEO and President, Jim Stegeman, will be joining Gary Bolton on April 8th to discuss the latest Broadband in America reports regarding competition. Tune in at 10:30am!

State Broadband Leaders Network
2026-03-10 - 2026-03-12 | KS
Representatives from CostQuest will be attending the SBLN from March 10th-12th. If you’re attending, come connect with us!

ISPAMERICA - Atlanta, GA
2026-03-03 - 2026-03-05 | Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel
We’re attending ISPAMERICA in Atlanta — a key event for wireless ISPs and broadband professionals. Connect with our team and discuss how we can support your fixed wireless, backhaul, or connectivity projects. Come connect with us!

Metro Connect - Fort Lauderdale, FL
2026-02-24 - 2026-02-25 | Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Associates from CostQuest, along with CQI partners, are attending the 25th annual Metro Connect, a premier event bridging infrastructure and finance. Stop by our hotel meeting room #542 to meet our team, learn more about the services we can provide, and discuss how we can support your connectivity projects.

NTCA RTIME - Orlando, FL
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-25 | KS
Come see CostQuest Associates at NTCA RTIME in Orlando, FL from February 23-25, 2026. We’ll be at booth #109, come talk to us!

Webinar: The Evolution of the Fabric Location Data and How to Prepare for the Upcoming USAC HUBB Filing Changes
2025-11-19 10:00 - 10:30 | KS
Join CostQuest Associates, partnered with CCA, for an in-depth look at the evolution of Fabric Location Data—how it was developed and how our team continues to enhance the data powering BDC, BEAD, and other federal grant programs. We’ll also provide CCA members with important updates on upcoming USF HUBB filing changes and share best practices to help you prepare for these new reporting requirements.
Register Here!

SBO Leader Forum
2025-10-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Invitation Only
Join fellow state broadband leaders for an exclusive, in-depth session focused on navigating the evolving broadband landscape in a post-BEAD award environment. This collaborative session will feature a keynote from industry leaders, expert panel discussions, and open dialogue designed to tackle your most pressing challenges. Gain insights from CostQuest experts and partners, connect with peers, and share strategies shaping the future of broadband deployment and oversight.
For questions or to register, contact fabricforward@costquest.net.

Keynote: Government Program Fireside Chat
2025-10-22 11:15 - 12:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
With Adam Cassady, NTIA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator & David Redl, Founder & CEO of Salt Point Strategies and former NTIA Administrator.

The Effect of New Infrastructure Investments on Network Value – From M&A to Financing
2025-10-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Post-BEAD are investors coming to buy your ISP, finance it, or compete in your footprint? Will the dollars keep flowing into broadband on the corporate and government side, and where will they go? What about non-deployment funds or future grants?
No one can predict the future, so we’re focused on outlining some of the potential scenarios and what to consider. We’ll help you understand the value of your network in these scenarios, and what you can do to help increase it.
Topics we’ll cover:

To M&A or not to M&A?

How investors are approaching M&A in Telecom

Balancing expansion ROI vs Acquisition

As BEAD fills out the map there are less attractive areas for expansion so more funds flow to acquisitions
Will funds be left over on non-deployment that could supplement fees (make some areas better penetration)

Less underserved means more money will go into the 2nd or 3rd fiber provider areas

How will you respond to an entrant? Are there ways to keep them out?
How will your economics change if someone does enter?

Consider your debt and capital under different profitability scenarios

What money has been received
What is the total future value of the company

Preparing for M&A involves

What will lending and interest rates look like?
Network appraisals – Validate/Ensure a fair value assessment of new and existing infrastructure for property taxes – what does fair value mean?

Walk away, understanding potential scenarios of government and corporate investment landscapes and how that will affect the value of your network. Along with approaches to consider when preparing and monitoring the situation.

Filing Location Fabric Challenges: Best Practices and Lessons Learned
2025-10-22 09:00 - 10:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
We’ve heard your questions and concerns about the Fabric data—especially around the Challenge Process—and we’re here to help however we can within our role on the Fabric project.
In this session, get a clear, in-depth look at the FCC’s Location Fabric Challenge Process, including best practices for submitting challenges, key timelines, and real-world examples of why challenges are accepted or denied.
Topics we’ll cover:

Review the FCC Location Fabric Challenge Process – How it differs from the NTIA BEAD State Challenge Process
Why the Challenge Process Exists – And why it goes through the FCC
Who adjudicates challenges
Types of Fabric Challenges
Challenge Timeline – when you will see accepted challenges in the next version of the Fabric
Best practices when submitting challenges
Common reasons why a challenge didn’t get accepted
Where to go for questions on Location Fabric Challenges

Office Hours
2025-10-22 08:30 - 14:00, 2025-10-21 08:30 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Have questions? Come ask us your specific questions.
Day 1: 10/21
8:30 – 9 am
11 – 11:15 am
12:30 – 1:00 pm
2:15 – 2:45 pm
3:30 – 4:00 pm

Day 2: 10/22
8:30 – 9 am
11:00 – 11:15 am
12 – 2 pm

Breakfast
2025-10-22 08:00 - 09:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Breakfast will be served from 8:00 to 9:00 AM.

Data on the Rocks Reception
2025-10-21 16:30 - 18:30 | Six Seven Restaurant – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Join us for drinks and sunset views as we close out the first full day of Fabric Forward in the Harbor Room of The Bell Harbor Conference Center.

State Broadband Panel: Lessons Learned & What Comes Next in the BEAD World
2025-10-21 15:45 - 16:30 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Join a panel of state broadband leaders as they share lessons learned from their BEAD journeys so far, and what to consider as the BEAD program continues moving forward. Learn directly from the decision-makers shaping state-level broadband deployment strategies, gain perspective on what’s working (and what isn’t), and where the BEAD program will go from here.

Data Innovations on the Horizon
2025-10-21 15:15 - 15:45 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Explore new tools and methods to simplify data analysis—from custom APIs and time series forecasting to mapping innovations that support broadband planning, reporting, and data alignment.

Federal Broadband Grant Programs in Review: What You Need to Know
2025-10-21 14:15 - 15:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Federal broadband funding programs are evolving, but how does that impact all stakeholders in the broadband landscape? This session will provide a clear overview of what stakeholders need to know regarding the various federal broadband programs, such as the Universal Service Fund, that are currently shaping the broadband landscape. Participants will gain clarity on program statuses, anticipated changes, evolving compliance requirements, and timelines. Walk away with insights to help you prepare for the next phase of federal broadband funding initiatives.

Potential Programs Covered:

USF/CAF High-Cost Programs
Enhanced ACAM (E-ACAM)
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)
Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM)
Revised A-CAM I
A-CAM II
Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund (PR Fund)
Connect USVI Fund
NTIA’s BEAD
5G Fund

Financial Due Diligence to Know Where to Go, What to Build, & How to Win
2025-10-21 13:30 - 14:15 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
In this session, we’ll combine deep market insight, financial modeling, and proprietary tools to help you uncover high-impact broadband opportunities – pinpointing where to go, what to build, and how to win. Our approach turns complex data into clear, strategic decisions that outpace the competition and result in positive ROI.

Topics we’ll cover:

Competitive & Market Analysis: Evaluating market demand trends, take rates, pricing, and service offerings to assess realistic ARPU and market position.
Financial Feasibility & Revenue Forecasting: Analyzing capital expenditures, revenue potential, customer behavior, and operating costs to determine high-level financial viability.
Risk & Scenario Assessment: Including predictive models for adoption, incumbent response, and risks related to subsidized competitors and government funding.
Advanced Analytical Tools: Utilizing trusted and proven proprietary cost modeling tools to identify optimal markets, run scenarios, and guide strategic decision-making for optimal results.

From Query to Clarity: Mapping Opportunities & Benchmarking Costs with GIS & SQL
2025-10-21 13:00 - 13:30 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
A Technical Workshop: How to use Fabric Location & Cost Data to uncover optimal expansion opportunities, compare cost benchmarks, and visualize the results using QGIS, ArcGIS, and SQL.
Topics we’ll cover:

Review the following problem and solution statements, and what systems and techniques you can use to solve them:

How to use service coverage, cost, and demographics data to find high-ROI growth markets
How to use Fabric Cost Data to compare against internal cost models and visualize the results

Lunch
2025-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Lunch will be provided from 12 to 1 pm.

Data in Action: How Providers Build Workflows That Work Smarter, Not Harder
2025-10-21 11:15 - 12:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
From insight to impact: Hear how providers use comprehensive location-level datasets to analyze competitor footprints, track growth trends, identify new high-ROI growth markets, qualify address service requests, and sync with internal systems to streamline operations and compliance.
Topics we’ll cover:

How location-level data helps identify expansion opportunities
How location-level data helps assess economic viability and narrowing down expansion markets to pursue
How system to system integration with location-level data worked to streamline operations and integrate data into other departments

Keys to Smart Investments: Approaches to Achieve High ROI & Reduce Budget to Actual Cost Delta
2025-10-21 10:15 - 11:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Validating project cost, return on investment, and overall viability are keys to the kingdom when it comes to building smart network investments. But when it comes time to implement the project, will the modeled project cost hold true?
Explore proven network cost modeling and business case approaches that enable businesses to know from the get-go, to when the trucks start rolling, what the actual cost and investment return to implement the project will be.
Leading to investments that provide a positive economic outcome, and of course, a happy leadership team.

Topics we’ll cover:

Why location-level cost modeling leads to smarter investments from the start
Review trusted and proven National Cost Modeling & Profitability Analysis Methods:

Approach
Data inputs
Steps

Explore ways to fully leverage investment cost and business case data to reduce the delta between the project budget and actual cost.

The Origin, Evolution, and Logic Behind the Location Fabric Data
2025-10-21 09:00 - 10:15 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Get an overview of the intricate and comprehensive development of the Location Fabric Data – The origin and evolution story behind the location data guiding grant programs such as NTIA’s BEAD, FCC Enhanced ACAM, and ISPs with broadband deployment.
Topics we’ll cover:

CostQuest’s Fabric origin story & innovation-driven purpose
Deep-dive into Location Fabric – What it is, why it matters, and the methodology behind it
Driving federal programs & policy with granular data

Breakfast
2025-10-21 08:00 - 09:00 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Breakfast will be provided from 8:00 to 9:00 AM.

Welcome Reception
2025-10-20 17:00 - 18:30 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Join us in the Olympic Ballroom at the Edgewater Hotel for the Fabric Forward Welcome Reception, check-in, and grab your event badge.

Fabric Forward Event Check-In
2025-10-20 15:00 - 18:30 | Olympic Ballroom – The Edgewater Hotel, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Join us in the Olympic Ballroom at the Edgewater Hotel to check-in and grab your event badge.
