In the high-pressure world of broadband expansion, including grant-driven deadlines, outside plant (OSP) engineering firms like TrueNet rely on partners who bring precision, speed, and scalable solutions to telecom industry projects. Since 2019, Collaborative Synergy (CS) has become an integral part of TrueNet’s aerial engineering operations, delivering measurable value across thousands of miles of broadband infrastructure builds in the U.S.
Solving a $10,000+ problem with know-how and at one-tenth the cost
Pole replacements are expensive—up to $10,000 and more per pole in some states. But in Carl Gross’s experience as a longtime project manager at TrueNet, most poles that fail structural analysis don’t need replacing. They need problem solvers.
“Collaborative Synergy routinely saves our clients thousands per pole by mitigating overloads with anchors and down guys, which, conservatively, end up being about one-tenth the cost of pole replacement,” Carl says. “Their team has been able to solve problems even other O-Calc experts couldn’t fix.”
That type of field-based problem solving became the hallmark of Collaborative Synergy’s approach—starting with fiber buildouts in California and expanding nationwide.
From Local Vendor to National Partner
TrueNet, an OSP engineering and construction firm owned by Fujitsu, works across the U.S. and Canada on utility, telecom, and wireless infrastructure. When Carl Gross reconnected with CS leadership in 2019, he knew they could offer more than just raw data collection.
“They weren’t just accurate—they could handle volume,” Carl says. “And when you’re doing 10,000 miles of rural broadband work and touching over 68,000 poles in a year, that matters.”
Collaborative Synergy’s scope of work has grown steadily, with recent collaborations on major broadband initiatives throughout the country.
In 2024, Collaborative Synergy supported 28,000 poles for TrueNet. By mid-2025, they’ve already surpassed 33,000.
Tools That Improve Speed and Accuracy
Collaborative Synergy’s value goes beyond people—it’s also about tools. In addition to the company’s superior fluency in pole loading analysis software, like O-Calc, Carl points to a CS-specific innovation, a custom-built set of calipers used to quickly and precisely measure pole circumference at the ground line—essential for accurate load modeling.
“Most poles have risers or brush around them, which makes traditional tape measurement tough,” he says. “With Collaborative Synergy’s calipers, our fielders can get accurate, simple, and photo verifiable measurements in seconds. We now require circumference on every pole, so we tell other vendors to contact Collaborative Synergy about getting those calipers.”
These tools, along with Collaborative Synergy’s rigorous training approach, help the company maintain quality and scale as TrueNet ramps up its broadband work across the country.
Full-Service Aerial Permitting
Collaborative Synergy doesn’t just collect pole data. They also produce full permit packages used in submissions to major utility providers like San Diego Gas & Electric, AT&T, Southern California Edison, and LADWP.
In one Florida project, the utility defined failure as 90% capacity instead of the industry norm of 100%. CS re-ran the entire pole model under those tighter constraints and still avoided any replacements—opting instead for anchored solutions that met the new threshold.
“They’re consistent, flexible, and always communicate,” says Carl. “I don’t have time to chase vendors. Collaborative Synergy keeps us informed so we can keep our clients informed.”
Built for BEAD—and Beyond
As BEAD funding gets worked out, TrueNet anticipates new waves of demand in both aerial and underground builds. CS is preparing for that shift, too—exploring ways to extend their permitting capabilities underground and offer a full one-stop-shop service.
“They’ve been spot-on from the beginning,” Carl says. “Every challenge we’ve thrown at them—technical, logistical, geographic—they’ve met it. In my opinion, they’re the best in the business.”
