If you ask someone in the broadband industry what Charles Industries is known for, chances are the first answer will be pedestals.
And for good reason. For decades, Charles Industries has earned a reputation for manufacturing some of the industry’s most trusted fiber pedestals, helping providers protect critical outside plant infrastructure in some of the toughest environments.
But today, that reputation is only part of the story.
As broadband networks continue to expand and BEAD-funded projects move closer to construction, providers are looking for more than individual products. They’re looking for partners who can help simplify deployments, solve problems in the field, and support more of the network from planning through installation.
That’s where the partnership between Charles Industries and United Tel Supply is making a difference.
More Than the Pedestal Company
Charles Industries may be best known for its pedestal line, but its product portfolio has expanded well beyond the products many customers first associate with the brand.
Today, Charles offers a broad range of outside plant solutions, including:
- Fiber pedestals
- Below-grade enclosures
- Cabinets
- Fiber connectivity solutions
- Splice closures
- Additional infrastructure products that support modern FTTH deployments
For many broadband providers, that comes as a surprise.
Customers who have trusted Charles for years often discover they can source much more of their outside plant infrastructure from a manufacturer they already know and trust.
In this conversation, Jordan Williams of United Tel Supply and Shavaun Reed of Charles Industries discuss how the Charles portfolio has expanded and why more providers are looking beyond pedestals when planning their networks.
Watch the conversation: From Pedestals to Complete Outside Plant Solutions
Why Buying More Than Pedestals Makes Sense
A fiber build requires much more than pedestals.
Every project also needs products like below-grade enclosures, cabinets, splice closures, terminals, and other outside plant components. When those products come from several different manufacturers, purchasing teams often find themselves managing multiple quotes, different lead times, several technical contacts, and separate inventory plans.
Charles Industries gives providers another option.
Instead of sourcing individual product categories from several manufacturers, customers can often purchase a much larger portion of their outside plant materials from one trusted manufacturer whose products are designed to work together. That means fewer vendors to coordinate, greater confidence that products are compatible throughout the network, and a simpler purchasing process from planning through installation.
For United Tel Supply customers, it also means working with a distributor that understands the entire Charles portfolio. Instead of simply quoting the product that was requested, the team works with customers to identify other Charles solutions that may better fit the application, simplify procurement, and help keep projects moving.
Looking Beyond the Product List
One of the biggest themes from our conversation with Charles Industries wasn’t about products. It was about understanding the customer’s network. Every broadband deployment is different. Existing infrastructure, terrain, customer density, and construction methods all influence which products make the most sense.
Rather than beginning with a catalog, Charles Industries and United Tel Supply begin with questions.
What are you building?
What challenges are you facing?
How is your network designed?
Once those answers are understood, the conversation turns to finding the right solution for the application. That often includes bringing Charles product managers and engineering resources into the discussion to evaluate the project and recommend products that best fit the customer’s needs.
Sometimes the best answer is exactly what the customer originally requested. Other times, a different solution may perform better, reduce installation time, or lower the overall cost of the project.
As Shavaun Reed explained during our conversation, “Sometimes a customer wants a Chevy, but they’re asking for a Cadillac.”
It’s a simple analogy, but it highlights an important point. The goal isn’t to sell a more expensive product. The goal is to recommend the right product for the application.
Preparing for the Next Wave of Broadband Expansion
As BEAD-funded projects continue moving toward construction, planning conversations are changing.
Providers are no longer focused solely on funding opportunities. They’re developing preliminary bills of material, evaluating BABA requirements, forecasting inventory needs, and preparing for projects that will require significant coordination across manufacturers, distributors, and contractors.
That preparation is happening much earlier than many projects have required in the past.
For customers, that makes working with experienced partners even more valuable. United Tel Supply and Charles Industries are already helping customers evaluate product requirements, discuss long-term planning, and identify solutions before construction begins.
Watch Jordan Williams and Shavaun Reed discuss how early planning, collaboration, and supply chain preparation are helping broadband providers position themselves for the next phase of network expansion.
Watch the conversation: Preparing for the Next Phase of BEAD Deployments
The Pedestals That Built the Reputation
Of course, Charles Industries earned its reputation for a reason.
For decades, Charles fiber pedestals have helped protect critical outside plant infrastructure while providing dependable access for technicians working in the field.
Designed to withstand demanding environments, they’re built to protect fiber infrastructure from weather, insects, impact, dirt, and the everyday conditions broadband networks face. Whether your next project requires Series 2 pedestals in 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, or 12-inch sizes, or you’re planning a larger FTTH deployment, Charles continues to be a trusted choice across the broadband industry.
At United Tel Supply, we’re proud to help customers select the right Charles pedestal for every application while providing access to the complete Charles Industries portfolio.
A Partnership Focused on Customer Success
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was that successful broadband projects are built on collaboration.
Charles Industries brings decades of engineering expertise and an expanding portfolio of outside plant solutions. United Tel Supply brings responsive service, product knowledge, inventory management, and a relationship-first approach to helping customers solve problems. Together, the focus is not simply on shipping products. It’s on helping broadband providers build reliable networks with the right products, the right planning, and the right support.
Looking Beyond Your Next Pedestal
If you’ve only worked with Charles Industries for pedestals in the past, it may be time to take another look. Their expanded portfolio gives broadband providers access to a broader range of outside plant solutions from a manufacturer they already know and trust.
Combined with United Tel Supply’s technical expertise and consultative approach, customers gain more than a supplier. They gain a team committed to helping projects move forward with confidence.
Whether you’re expanding an existing fiber network, preparing for BEAD-funded construction, or planning your next FTTH deployment, United Tel Supply is ready to help you explore everything Charles Industries has to offer.