Connectivity Solutions for High-Speed Rural Broadband Deployment | Southern Tier Network | Corning 

Jeff Gasper  
Published: December 4, 2025

From rolling hills dotted with homes and wineries, to gorgeous, dark blue lakes formed by ancient glaciers, it’s easy to see why so many people are attracted to the natural charm of the Finger Lakes region in rural New York state. Whether living there or vacationing, it is a hub for those looking for an alternative to the hassle of urban or suburban living. But people and businesses in rural regions like this are increasingly expecting the same level of high-speed broadband connectivity that metropolitan areas enjoy.

That’s why nearly 15 years ago Southern Tier Network was formed as a public-private partnership to develop broadband networks in the rural Southern Tier area of New York state. We have about 750 miles of middle mile network spanning the southern Finger Lakes areas connecting more than 50 businesses, along with a number of schools, libraries, and municipal buildings. But after more than a decade of laying backbone and middle-mile networks, when it came to fiber to the home for some of the most remote residents, we knew traditional spliced fiber strategies were not going to cut it.

That’s where Corning and its preterminated fiber and connectivity solutions come in. When we first heard about this technology, we weren’t sure if it would be a good fit. But once we had it and tried it, our minds changed almost immediately. After we decided to make the switch, Corning’s engineers helped us develop a network plan using their FlexNAP™ preconnectorized distribution cables and Evolv^® terminals. Once plans were approved and products were delivered, Corning’s team traveled to Nichols, NY (population: ~2,300) to assist with staging the product, reviewing the new design prints, and ensuring our team and contractors knew what to do. In just three days, with the first leg of deployment complete, 75 customers in the area were connected with service.

This project was a huge success and underscores the role preconnectorized solutions play in enabling fast, cost-effective deployments as network operators like us work to close the digital divide.

Rural areas come with a unique set of challenges. For one, low population density and long distances between homes make it less economically feasible for providers to build out to those areas.

On top of that, geographic and environmental barriers — including rugged terrain and frequent flooding — make network resiliency and repairability are critical factors in design decisions. In the past year alone, we’ve seen more than 30 trees fall and damage cables, so simple, speedy repairs are just as important to factor in as the initial deployment.

Using plug-and-play connectorized solutions, we were able to eliminate up to 80% of the splicing labor, significantly speeding up network installation and reducing the cost of splicing from $40,000 to nearly zero. And it’s not just at the deployment phase where these solutions make things easier, we’ve been able to get coverage back up and running after major storms within 24 hours thanks to the ease of repairability that comes with this technology.

Scaling for the future through collaboration

To date, we've connected more than 400 homes — and there’s a huge opportunity for expansion. By the end of 2026, we aim to pass 6,000 homes, supported by the New York State ConnectALL grant and the Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP). In these cases, projects depend on tight deadlines to qualify for funding, which makes faster deployments an even higher priority. The “speed-to-market" capability that comes with Corning’s plug-and-play solutions allows homes and businesses to connect to the system within those tight time constraints.

The faster broadband deployments, combined with our community engagement efforts, also play an important role as we look ahead. When residents are informed about how the service works and what to expect, we tend to see pre-enrollment increase.  And our ability to quickly roll out service led to a higher take rate. If our potential customers have to wait 3-4 months for service, we lose that momentum. But with Corning’s products, our customers can have service the very next week.

At Southern Tier Network, connectivity is at the heart of what we do, and Corning’s innovative solutions have completely transformed how we deploy broadband. Their pre-terminated FlexNAP cables and easy to use Evolv terminals have streamlined our process, allowing us to drastically reduce splicing labor, speed up installation timelines, and cut costs. These technologies have enabled us to meet tight deadlines, scale projects efficiently, and deliver reliable, high-speed internet faster than ever before. With Corning’s solutions, we’re not just building networks — we’re building a foundation for future growth and success in our community.