To disable the router, NAT, and firewall functions of a county-provided broadband modem, allowing a personally owned (or third-party) router to manage all network traffic directly over the public WAN IP address.
For most county broadband users, a simpler alternative is DMZ or IP Passthrough (which keeps the gateway’s management interface accessible but passes all traffic to one LAN IP).
The County Broadband router is designed to be a "do-it-all" device. It is a router, a switch, and an access point. When you plug your own high-end router (like a Netgear Orbi, Asus ROG, or Ubiquiti Dream Machine) into the County Broadband router, you now have two devices trying to do the same job. This creates a "Double NAT."
For decades, rural residents have struggled with the "digital divide." While city dwellers enjoyed gigabit speeds, rural communities were often relegated to outdated infrastructure. Recognizing that reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a utility as essential as electricity and water, county governments have begun issuing bonds, securing grants, and building their own infrastructure.