Fatbeam
Headquarters Location: Post Falls Idaho 
www.fatbeam.com

Q: What does your company do and how long has it been in operation? 
A: Founded in 2010, Fatbeam builds fiber optic networks in underserved third and fourth tier markets in the Pacific Northwest. These are markets that were overlooked and simply did not get fiber before the telecom meltdown in 2001

Q: What have been the biggest obstacles your company has faced in the marketplace? 
A: We are at a size that is difficult to access capital at a palatable rate, so we are currently using traditional bank financing. It is hard to grow the business with this structure, but we will get through it! 

Q: What do you see as your greatest challenges going forward? 
A: Putting pressure on the Utility Commissions to hold the power utilities accountable to a reasonable turn around to install fiber on their poles.  It can take as long at nine months to turn up a customer because of the lengthy process for pole attachment and rights of way.

Q: What have been some of your company’s most recent achievements (new customer wins, new service/product deployment, etc.)? 
A: Fatbeam has two simple products: metro Ethernet and dark fiber.  We have had great success gaining long-term contracts with school districts and carriers, which provide a solid stream of monthly recurring revenue.   

Q: Why is it important for your company to be a COMPTEL member? 
A: The business contracts and industry relationships are invaluable.