Podcasts about broadband communities summit

In this episode, host Brad Hine reports live from the show floor at Connected America 2025 in Irving, Texas. He's joined by returning guest Brad Randall, editor at Total Telecom and chair of the event. Together, they unpack the energy on the expo floor and dive into the rapidly evolving broadband landscape. From the political uncertainty surrounding the BEAD program to equity concerns and the future of infrastructure investment, this conversation captures the mood of the industry in real time. They discuss the impact of policy shifts, the challenges federal agencies face under the new administration, and how industry events like Connected America and the upcoming Broadband Communities Summit in Houston play a critical role in uniting stakeholders.

In this episode, Brad Hine chats with Jonathan Restivo, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Cityside Fiber, at this year's Broadband Communities Summit. Restivo shares his experience in broadband site development, providing valuable insights into the multifamily space, regulatory trends, and the ongoing evolution of fiber infrastructure in Southern California. He highlights Cityside Fiber's journey since its inception in 2021, its progress in Orange County, and the importance of strategic partnerships and technological integration for success in the broadband industry. Click now to learn their story. Also, subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. To learn more: https://www.citysidefiber.com

 The Connected Nation podcast is back covering the 2024 Broadband Communities Summit in The Woodlands, Texas. The event serves as a hub of collaboration and innovation for some of the biggest names in broadband, all working towards a shared mission of closing the Digital Divide.In our final installment of the summit, Jessica is joined by leadership from Comcast Texas, leadership from DigitalC, and a tribal broadband manager from the Choctaw Nation. Recommended Links:Broadband Communities Summit WestToni Beck LinkedInComcast TexasValerie Jerome LinkedInDigitalCRob Griffin LinkedIn

This week, the Connected Nation podcast is on the road covering the 2024 Broadband Communities Summit in The Woodlands, Texas. The event serves as a hub of collaboration and innovation for some of the biggest names in broadband, all working towards a shared mission of closing the Digital Divide. On today's episode, Jessica Denson welcomes on a variety of guests from varying backgrounds. From a company helping peers navigate red tape, another company helping ISP's scale up and skill up their workforce, a company pioneering mesh networking PLUS a surprise guest appearance from a Connected Nation employee.Recommended Links:Kendall CommunicationsCielo SystemseeroConnected Nation teams up with eero to bring faster, more reliable internet to underserved homesHeather Gate's LinkedIn

Today, the Connected Nation podcast is back covering the 2024 Broadband Communities Summit in The Woodlands, Texas. The event serves as a hub of collaboration and innovation for some of the biggest names in broadband, all working towards a shared mission of closing the Digital Divide.On today's episode, we talk with the head of the USDA's Rural Utilities Service, a small provider in Oklahoma who works with both tribal and state governments, and one of the nation's leading researchers in broadband. Recommended Links:Andrew Berke LinkedInUSDA's Rural Utilities ServiceSachin Gupta LinkedInCentral Rural Electric CooperativeDr. Christopher Ali LinkedInFarm Fresh Broadband

Today, the Connected Nation podcast is back covering the 2024 Broadband Communities Summit in The Woodlands, Texas. The event serves as a hub of collaboration and innovation for some of the biggest names in broadband, all working towards a shared mission of closing the Digital Divide.On today's second episode, you'll hear from one company that's helping to train skilled broadband workers. You'll hear from another that's helping ISPs improve and extend their networks, and you'll hear from a small provider that's been working on unserved areas since the beginning, thanks to a friendship between three men.Recommended Links:Martin Lee LinkedInLight BrigadeIan McIntosh LinkedInTAK Communications Inc. Pam Waggoner LinkedInResound Networks

Join us Monday, May 1st at 8pm ET for another special live episode of the Connect This! Show, from Broadband Communities Summit in The Woodlands, Texas. Christopher Mitchell (ILSR) will be joined by Kim McKinley (UTOPIA Fiber), Heather Gold (HBG Strategies) and Bob Knight (Harrison Edwards) at the conference's welcome reception. They'll tackle the question […]

At this year's Broadband Communities Summit, we had the chance to chat with the director of Community Development at US Ignite, Lee Davenport. Lee and the folks at US Ignite are working hard to accelerate the smart city movement by helping to bring technology-informed economic empowerment strategies to communities nationwide. Click now to listen. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. See more at: www.us-ignite.org

Had the chance to chat with Andy at the Broadband Communities Summit early this year in Houston. We discuss the enormous opportunity we as a country to narrow the digital divide with the current BEAD program administered by the NTIA. Click now to listen. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. To learn more: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/grant-programs/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead-program

At this year's Broadband Communities Summit, we had the pleasure to chat with Deb Socia. Deb has a long history as a forward-thinking, innovative trendsetter not only in broadband but education. Click now to learn about her story and the story of The Enterprise Center. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. To Learn more: https://www.theenterprisectr.org

At this year's Broadband Communities Summit, we had the privilege to speak with the director of the Capital Projects Fund, Joey Wender. Joey shares with us what funds are available and what states can do to get it in the right hands. Click now to listen! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. To learn more: https://home.treasury.gov/

This week on the podcast, while attending the 2022 Broadband Communities Summit in Houston earlier this month, Christopher was joined by Angie Kronenberg, Chief Advocate and General Counsel for INCOMPAS, a leading trade association advocating on behalf of telecommunication policies that encourage competition. The pair kick-off the podcast with a fun nod to Angie's involvement … Continue reading "How INCOMPAS Advocates for Broadband Policy That Promotes Competition – Episode 507 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast"

The Broadband Communities Summit has long been a must attend event in the world of fiber broadband services. This year for the first time ever it will be held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. Joining me today to talk about the BBC Summit 2020, is the CEO of Broadband Communities, Barbara DeGarmo, along with Vice-President, Publisher and Conference Director for Broadband Communities, Nancy McCain.

In early April while Christopher was at the 2019 Broadband Communities Summit in Austin, he recorded a series of interviews for the podcast. We’ve been sharing them over the past two months. This week we’re presenting his conversation with Director of Market Development and Government Affairs Monica Webb and Vice President for Networks Adam Eisner … Continue reading "Nimble Customer-centric Approach Sets Ting Apart – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 357"

The Austin, Texas, 2019 Broadband Communities Summit was about a month ago, but we’re still enjoying the experience by sharing Christopher’s onsite podcast interviews. This week, he and University of Virginia Assistant Professor Christopher Ali have an insightful conversation about rural broadband, media, and the Internet — and we get to listen in. Dr. Ali works in … Continue reading "Talking Rural Broadband, the Internet, and Media with Dr. Christopher Ali – Broadband Bits Podcast 355"

As part of our series of interviews conducted during the 2019 Broadband Communities Summit in Austin, Texas, earlier in April, we’re sharing Christopher’s interview with Angela Imming. Angela is the Director of Technology and Innovation for the city of Highland, Illinois, home to Highland Communication Services (HCS). HCS has been serving the community for almost 10 years … Continue reading "Highland, Illinois, Always Working for A Better Community Network Experience – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 354"

Doug Dawson, President of CCG Consulting and author of the POTS and PANS blog, was willing to sit down with Christopher for episode 353 of the podcast this week. Christopher interviewed Doug in Austin, Texas, at the 2019 Broadband Communities Summit. They discussed all sorts of happenings in the telecommunications and municipal network space. In addition to 5G … Continue reading "Doug Dawson Shares Surprises and Safe Bets – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 353"

This week, we have another interview that Christopher recorded while he was at the 2019 Broadband Communities Summit in Austin, Texas. Dr. Robert Wack from Westminster, Maryland, where the town is partnering with Ting Internet, sat down for a conversation on telemedicine. As the United States’ healthcare system continues to degrade, hospitals, doctors, and other caregivers are … Continue reading "Telemedicine Today: More Than Sending X-rays – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 352"

As Christopher rubbed elbows with other broadband advocates, policy wonks, and industry professionals at the Broadband Communities Summit in Austin, Texas, he had the opportunity to interview several people we’ve been wanting to bring on the show. Saul Tannenbaum from Cambridge, Massachusetts, was at the event and he talked with Christopher about the citizen’s group, Upgrade … Continue reading "Grassroots for Better Connectivity in Cambridge, Massachusetts – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 304"

While attending the Broadband Communities Summit in Dallas, Christopher had the opportunity to interview some of the people he's been wanting get on the show, including Kyle Hollifield, Senior Vice President from Magellan Advisors.Magellan and Kyle have been working with a growing list of communities across the country exploring opportunities to improve local connectivity. In addition … Continue reading "Considering PPPs, Marketing For Munis – Broadband Bits Podcast 255" ★ Support this podcast ★

Bonus episode! We did several interviews while at the Broadband Communities Summit and Dallas, so we are publishing two episodes this week. Diane Kruse joined us for today's discussion, episode 253, with an update about progress around community broadband in Colorado and great advice for communities considering an investment.Diane is the CEO and President of … Continue reading "Great Community Advice and Colorado Update – Broadband Bits Podcast 253" ★ Support this podcast ★

With all the hype about fiber, we sometimes forget wireless still has an important role to play. Fairlawn, Ohio supports over 22,000 people every day in addition to its 7,400 residents, so they had to have guaranteed super-fast, reliable and flexible Internet access. Their infrastructure solution made them one of the highlights of the recent Broadband Communities Summit. Ernie Staten, Dep. Director of Fairlawn’s Public Service Department, and Mitch Drake, Fujitsu Network Communications’ Executive Engagement Leader, throw back some covers and show off best practices that made their network leading edge. Fujitsu is the lead private sector partner in this public-private partnership. Fairlawn set an ambitious agenda to meet a number of goals including: promote commercial and residential growth;stimulate economic development in the City;provide a carrier-grade wireless network;draw in entrepreneurs and high tech ventures; andimprove City services and public safety communications.    

Many people think broadband benefits local governments by making PCs, apps and systems run faster. But what happens when the process of governing accelerates into gig speed? In two months, Next Century Cities expects to find out. At the Broadband Communities Summit, cities were offered a $30,000 prize as a reward for creative thinking on using broadband to tackle local challenges. Next Century Cities announced their “Next Generation Engagement Awards” for three cities (up to $30,000 each) that propose projects or partnerships that enhance government operations. Next Century Cities’ Executive Director Deb Socia and Deputy Director Todd O’Boyle joined us to explain their program and what they hope to achieve. Beside cash, winning communities will also receive hands-on technical assistance from Next Century Cities to implement their plans and peer-to-peer connections with other innovative municipalities. Communities applying will be expected to demonstrate how, in addition to the award funding, they will contribute funds or use in-kind support, partner support, or a combination to ensure the project’s success. Applications will be accepted through June 15, 2016 and winners will be announced in late summer. Apply here.

We are at the point where we have scores of public highspeed networks delivering an array of benefits for businesses and consumers. Kansas City, the original Google Fiber network, weighs in their accomplishments and challenges as they push the gig envelope. Our Gigabit Nation guest is Aaron Deacon, Managing Director of KC Digital Drive, and a panelist on one of the Broadband Communities Summit sessions entitled “What can you do with a gig?” He believes many cities have answered this question with an array of applications and uses for highspeed Internet access, which leads to maybe a better question of "What are we going to do with a gig next?" Deacon delineates the difference between gigabit speed and gigabit capacity, a difference many communities need to understand early in there broadband planning. It’s also important that planners understand how to encourage a “highspeed environment” that enables community networks to transform the delivery of healthcare, energy, city services and more.  (Photo credit: Rachel Ellner, courtesy of Broadband Communities magazine)

36% of economic development pros say "it's quite likely" broadband can encourage entrepreneurship among underserved urban or rural individuals. Craig Settles' survey report cites another 14% have witnessed this personally. And over half say mentorships maximize broadband's benefits to startups and home-based businesses. Good news for Nashville, TN and other cities vying for Google Fiber.  Marcus Whitney, Co-Founder and CTO of the leading tech startup accelerator in the southeast, gives listeners his views on how Google Fiber can make a difference in the local economic scene. His Nashville-based Jumpstart Foundry has graduated 30 companies over the past five years. Whitney offers details on what specific steps local government and business leaders must take to ensure a broadband network leads to measurable success. Training in business management and using technology also are addressed. Communities cannot expect that merely having a network improves economies. Whitney and Settles explore how some of his other findings relate to Nashville and its broadband needs. Settles will release the full survey report April 9 during a keynote presentation at the Broadband Communities Summit along with Bill Sproull, Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council, sponsor of the report.