Delivering high quality broadband internet access: Hammer Fiber Optics Holdings Corporation

Predicting the fate of an industry is a difficult prospect. It is especially hard when one considers the telecommunication industry. The sheer size of this industry translates into a throng of impalpable opportunities. The speed at which technology is changing has been spurred by a revolution in the communications industry which has far reaching impacts upon peripheral enterprises and is effectively transforming all aspects of human endeavor.

Rutgers University graduate, Mark Stogdill, has spent his professional career working in the fiber optic industry and is now taking on the difficult prospects associated with the telecommunications industry. After designing networks for major telecommunications companies, it became clear to him that there were several salient problems the big guys were facing and many of those affected the customer experience. To cope with these problems, Mark took particular note of the costs and complications of the “fiber everywhere” mentality that was becoming popular among the largest cable and telecom operators and in 2014 Mark Stogdill founded Hammer Fiber Optics Holdings Corp.

Having the experience and knowledge necessary to identify some of the synergies, such as using wireless extension technology along with fiber optic backbones to better serve customers, the company determined that not only could it design enhancements, but it could implement them as well. Though the original focus of the company was on backend infrastructure, once it was presented with a partnership on developing a unique and industry-changing wireless access network technology, Mark knew that was going to be the future, not only of his company but for the industry as a whole.

About the company

The New Jersey based company; Hammer Fiber is more than just a telecommunications company. Hammer Fiber recognized a need for a change in the way that television, internet and phone services were delivered. The company has adopted that mission as its own in order to offer quality services capable of capitalizing on the full potential of the age of the internet. By bringing its new wireless technology to New Jersey, Hammer Fiber is capable of delivering high quality broadband internet access to its customers so that they take full advantage of the television, internet and home phone services.

The main business of Hammer Fiber is broadband and it initially launched with its signature High Speed Internet service. Because the company was working with off a new platform and was able to design its network from the ground up with the latest technologies, it believed that it could provide a better service in a different way and set out to disrupt the market through quality, customer experience and innovative marketing and pricing models. The initial project served more as a crucial test to the company’s abilities to deploy the service as it was envisioned.

The company has used its subscribers feedback to shape the development of all its products and services. There have been those consumers who were disappointed with issues and those who were enamored with the fact that Hammer Fiber simply exist as an alternative pipe to the home.  Whichever the case, Hammer Fiber took note of each concern and made the necessary changes to either fix or highlight the areas which the consumers had made comment.

Challenges behind the successful venture

Getting started is always difficult especially in financial terms; however the financial challenges Hammer Fiber faced were compounded once it opted to change focus from backend infrastructure to operator. The initial days of Hammer Fiber gave Mark Stogdill a new vision and taught him that even the best laid plans must have the ability to change. He determined very early on that if an opportunity arises that makes sense, one cannot be afraid to go after it and; if the opportunity is right, and a business case can be made, then there is no reason to not pursue it.

The company continually makes improvements to its consumer products, many times based on the feedback of its subscribers, which has contributed to its new customer acquisition. One month the company may receive feedback that one of its platform is lacking something which has prevented some acquisition, if it can rectify that then it goes to market with the new feature and acquires those customers that it had lost as well as any that may not have expressed that concern, but who were waiting on that same resolution.

Shaping the future road map

Several factors have played key roles in shaping the organization’s road map; one of which was the early addition of the current chairman of the board, Michael P. Cothill, who brought with him years of experience and provided sound guidance through many transitions. Another member of the Board, Don MacNeil, helped Hammer Fiber reach the conclusion that the robust capabilities its wireless access network afforded was more important to the company’s road map then investing resources in cable infrastructure, which helped guide the current trajectory.

Hammer Fiber is also continually looking to add new products to its offerings with a current focus on its video platform. The company is in development of TV Everywhere services, Video on Demand and Pay Per View services. They are also heavily engaged in bringing a viable wireless 5G platforms to life. In five years, Hammer Fiber hopes to be in several new markets and making waves in the industry with new and exciting technology that gives its subscribers even better services and offerings.

Knowing the man behind Hammer Fiber

Mark Stogdill is the CEO of Hammer Fiber Optics Holdings Corp. Mark pursued a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University - New Brunswick and M.B.A. studies from Rutgers University - Camden.

As an industry consultant, lead engineer, manager and telecoms business owner, Mark oversaw numerous projects in his career ranging from mobile data synchronization to fiber ring deployments to residential access fiber for many of the major telecommunication operators.  Working for companies like Verizon, Google and others, Mark’s businesses have designed and built fiber and broadband access to hundreds of thousands of customers nationwide.

“If you want to be successful, the formula is simple. It may be better to be lucky than good but its best to be good and lucky. You make your own luck if you love what you do and that also, incidentally, is how you get good at it.”