Podcasts
Trent Edwards used to climb phone poles. Now he’s the CEO of TAK Broadband, bringing with him an appreciation for community builders and the often-dangerous work they carry out.
By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Trent Edwards, the CEO of an end-to-end fiber community building agency referred to as TAK Broadband, is nervous about the way forward for trade’s workforce.
“We don’t do job of creating positive that the youthful technology understands the chance inside building,” he stated.
In response to Edwards, many maintain assumptions that building work is disagreeable as a result of it requires working outdoors in many alternative situations.
“And the folks that try this, they need to try this,” he stated on a latest episode of Past the Cable, a Broadband Communities podcast. “They’ve that of their DNA. It’s a decent and extremely regarded upon job in my view.”
Nevertheless, Edwards stated the youthful technology doesn’t assume community building work is attractive. He stated the adverse perceptions will trigger points down the road, making it exhausting to recruit expertise.
“We’ve acquired to do a greater job at selling that and bringing building again,” he stated. “We’ve acquired to make it attractive once more.”
Edwards additionally stated there may be substantial room for innovation and entrepreneurs in community building.
Climbing phone poles and the company ladder
Edwards holds what many may take into account to be an unconventional highway to the C-suite.
Others, nonetheless, would say his rise to CEO of TAK Broadband exhibits every little thing that’s proper with the trade, representing a transparent instance of vertical mobility.
As soon as upon a time, Edwards climbed phone poles and dug within the filth, working in entry-level positions that he says are underappreciated for the damaging work they do.
TAK Broadband within the information:
Acquisition corporations up TAK Broadband’s Southern California presence (October 2025)
“We work in extraordinarily harmful situations,” Edwards advised Past the Cable. “Take the roads for instance. You will have the complete public out driving by you all day.”
Edwards stated folks can develop into damage when drivers develop into impatient. He additionally flagged the potential for harm with regards to working with massive tools, as community builders do.
He additionally stated all the environmental elements related to working within the discipline can current risks.
Enthusiastic about MDUs
Edwards says TAK Broadband (often known as TAK Communications) has developed their technique deliver high-quality fiber merchandise to multi-dwelling models (MDUs).
“We’ve the skillsets for all these tight areas, these advanced wiring situations,” he stated, including that TAK prides itself on minimal disruption to properties.
He stated fiber can create worth for MDU properties whereas bringing a top-notch service to residents.
Edwards additionally stated many residents want fiber connectivity to help earn a living from home setups.
With customized designs, Edwards stated TAK prides itself on delivering environment friendly building plans. Because of this, he stated many complications related to work in MDUs are prevented.
“We’ve it right down to a science,” he stated, including that MDUs present a possibility to get massive take charges.
“It’s a possibility to enter a spot, do it appropriately, have a course of that’s begin to end – design, building – and it’s tailor-made for every property.”
Get information like this in your inbox. Subscribe to the Broadband Communities e-newsletter!

