Building infrastructure in tribal and remote regions presents unique challenges, from environmental and regulatory hurdles to the need to earn community trust. Yet for Joel Ogren, CEO of Assured Communications, these challenges are opportunities to create partnerships that unite technology, culture, and purpose.
In a recent episode of Beyond the Cable, a podcast produced by Broadband Communities, Ogren discussed how Assured Communications is bridging the gap between advanced connectivity infrastructure and underserved communities, particularly tribal nations along the U.S. West Coast.
From Mission-Critical Networks to Meaningful Connections
Ogren’s career began in the U.S. military, where he specialized in high-assurance communications, networks that “you don’t want to fail.” Later, at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, he managed undersea fiber projects and worked globally on complex, secure telecom systems.
That experience shaped the foundation for Assured Communications, which he founded over a decade ago. Initially a consulting firm, the company evolved into a turnkey provider of digital infrastructure solutions, offering everything from feasibility studies and regulatory guidance to design, construction, and operations.
“We approach every project holistically,” Ogren said on the podcast. “It’s not just about building networks, it’s about how those networks impact economies, communities, and future opportunities.”
Today, Assured Communications not only designs and manages infrastructure for clients worldwide but also owns and operates assets, reinforcing its commitment to building resilient, inclusive connectivity ecosystems.
A Lesson in Listening: Partnering with Indigenous Communities
One of Ogren’s defining philosophies is simple yet powerful: meaningful infrastructure begins with trust.
Drawing on early lessons learned from his work with Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, Ogren emphasized the importance of understanding history, culture, and generational perspectives before engaging in any project.
“You have to do your homework,” he explained. “Listen first, ask the right questions, and come prepared to earn the right to be a trusted partner. That means acting with integrity and following through with experience and results.”
That trust-based approach became the foundation of Assured’s ongoing partnership with the Quinault Indian Nation, where Ogren and his team helped develop Toptana Technologies, a tribally owned company that is now leading the construction of Washington State’s first new subsea cable landing station in more than 25 years.
Connecting Coast to Continent
Located in Ocean Shores, Washington, the new cable landing station will connect subsea systems from across the Pacific to key digital corridors in Seattle and Hillsboro, Oregon. The project, managed and co-developed by Assured Communications in partnership with Toptana Technologies, is transforming the Pacific Northwest into a strategic global connectivity hub.
Beyond its technical significance, the project represents something larger: economic empowerment and digital inclusion for Indigenous and rural communities.
“When you bring a subsea cable landing station to a remote area, you’re not just landing fiber, you’re landing opportunity,” Ogren said. “It sparks an entire ecosystem of growth, from data centers and satellite infrastructure to local businesses and education.”
The Ripple Effect of Digital Inclusion
According to Ogren, cable landing stations are catalysts for regional digital economies. Its presence attracts data center operators, cloud providers, and technology companies seeking low-latency connections and regional diversity.
That investment, in turn, drives power infrastructure development, job creation, and entrepreneurship within nearby communities. From telemedicine and e-commerce to education and digital entrepreneurship, Ogren believes these systems unlock the full potential of the digital economy.
“It’s how you connect to the world today,” he said. “Everyone, from elders preserving cultural traditions to younger generations exploring global opportunities, deserves to be part of that digital future.”
A Model for Collaborative Growth
Assured Communications’ approach offers a blueprint for the broader infrastructure community: lead with trust, listen deeply, and align technical innovation with cultural understanding.
By combining engineering excellence with authentic collaboration, Assured continues to demonstrate how digital infrastructure can serve as both an economic driver and a bridge between worlds.
Listen to the full conversation on the Beyond the Cable podcast to hear how Assured Communications is building trust, connectivity, and opportunity from coast to continent.
