SkyFiber builds future-proof fiber network for underserved Northern Nevada

SkyFiber is deploying a future-ready fiber broadband network across underserved communities in Northern Nevada using Nokia’s end-to-end infrastructure and VarData’s expertise. As Nevada’s largest BEAD funding recipient, SkyFiber is bringing fast, secure, and reliable connectivity to thousands of households and businesses while establishing a scalable foundation for long-term regional growth.

Across Northern Nevada, communities have long gone without the reliable, high-speed connectivity that today's economy runs on. For the households and businesses in these communities, a fiber connection is what opens the door to opportunities in education, remote and local work, and what powers the online services that we all rely on. SkyFiber set out to tackle that challenge, delivering high-speed broadband to thousands of underserved households, improving quality of life for residents, allowing businesses to thrive, and giving local municipalities the connectivity they need to attract and retain investment.

As the largest recipient of U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding in Nevada, SkyFiber had a rare opportunity to build a greenfield fiber network from the ground up. The internet provider wanted an integrated infrastructure foundation that could scale smoothly with the region's growth with top-tier, future-proof technology deployed from day one.

SkyFiber selected Nokia to provide an end-to-end network spanning optical transport, IP routing, fixed access, and in-home Wi-Fi. The deployment includes Nokia 1830 PSS DWDM for middle-mile transport, 7750 SR BNG and 7250 IXR routers for IP edge routing, Lightspan MF-2 OLTs and ONTs for fiber access, and Nokia Beacon Wi-Fi devices for in-home connectivity. As a Nokia partner, VarData simplified the complexity of the rollout for SkyFiber, ensuring the project moved from selection to deployment with an expert team behind it.

By delivering optical transport, IP routing, and fixed access through a single Nokia architecture, SkyFiber streamlined deployment, and built a network designed to scale with regional demand.

Delivering the whole stack through a single partnership with VarData streamlined the process for SkyFiber and gave it one accountable team from selection through deployment. The result is a future-proof network with the capacity and headroom to grow with the region — a decisive factor in SkyFiber's decision.

This greenfield network strengthens SkyFiber's position as a leading regional broadband provider with a statewide footprint and future-proof infrastructure built to scale as demand across the region grows.

• Fast, secure, and reliable broadband reaching thousands of previously underserved households across Northern Nevada — creating new opportunities in work, education, and everyday life.
• High-speed, top-tier fiber broadband that brings these communities service on par with the country's most advanced networks, where before they had no comparable option.
• A single, all-Nokia network across optical transport, IP routing, and fixed access — one cohesive architecture that keeps operations simple and accountability clear.
• Future-proof, scalable infrastructure built to grow with the region and to work seamlessly alongside larger operator networks as demand rises.
• Full compliance with Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements, supporting SkyFiber's BEAD-funded rollout.
• Ongoing support from VarData, a trusted Nokia partner with two decades of experience in telecoms — establishing a reference deployment for complex, rural broadband builds.
• Backed by Nokia's rural broadband leadership and expertise — Nokia's technology is used in 7 out of 10 ports deployed in U.S. rural broadband builds.

With Nokia and VarData's combined infrastructure and integration expertise, SkyFiber is closing the digital divide for Northern Nevada — bringing communities the connectivity that helps local businesses compete, draws in investment, and gives residents access to the services and opportunities of a fully connected economy.