J. Carlson Services Inc.

S hevlin, Minnesota-based J. Carlson Services Inc. (JCS Inc.) is a pioneer in the U.S. fiber optics communications industry. As one of the hundreds of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) companies targeting the rural market, JCS believes the American heartland is the last great broadband frontier to conquer. Working in tandem with independent telephone companies, JCS has connected some of the remotest homes in the country, sometimes laying fiber in areas with a residential density of just 1.2 homes per square mile. This approach contrasts with larger broadband companies that target urban areas with higher population densities and better infrastructure. However, founder, president, and CEO Jeffrey Carlson sees this as one of the company’s strongest competitive advantages. While others shy away from rural areas, opting instead for low-hanging fruit in urban areas, JCS has carved out for itself a unique market position that will only grow as more rural homes turn to broadband fiber. JCS specializes in fiber-optic communications, a broad range of solutions that deliver FTTH. As part of its turnkey solutions, the company offers three primary services: outside plant and construction services, central office installation, and house wiring and activation. Carlson notes, J.Carlson S Focused on fiber