Bandwidth

When outages or emergencies hit, local providers rely on more than infrastructure, they rely on each other. In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette and Rick talk with Curtis Dean, Executive Director of the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN), about how partnerships help communities stay connected when it matters most. From resource sharing during storms to long-term collaboration between ISP...

In this episode of Bandwidth, hosts Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Rick Seemann dive into one of the most emotional and complex decisions an ISP can face: selling the business. They unpack what really happens when operators decide to exit, whether through a competitor, a private equity firm, or a partial sale, and share lessons from their own experiences navigating the process. From the...

When Hurricane Helene ripped fiber off mountains and left communities in the dark, MCNC had to figure out how to keep North Carolina connected. In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette and Rick sit down with Tracy Doaks, CEO of MCNC, to unpack the realities of disaster recovery, from keeping hospitals and schools online to helping regional providers rebuild. They also look ahead to why the rural di...

ISPs don’t struggle with getting data—they struggle with making it actionable. In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig dig into why dashboards get ignored, why reports land too late to matter, and how frontline teams can actually use metrics to make better calls. From gamifying performance data to trusting (or challenging) AI insights, they share what s...

The digital divide isn’t just about having a computer, it’s about knowing how to use it. In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette and Rick talk with Megan from Compudopt, the nonprofit turning donated devices into real opportunities. From free laptops to hands-on STEM programs, Compudopt shows how access plus education fuels lasting mobility. You’ll hear how one computer can change a family’s futur...

In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig dig into what it really takes to keep an ISP running when disaster strikes. They get real about planning for the unplannable, from wildfires and floods to ice storms and tornadoes, and why communication before, during, and after an event makes or breaks customer trust. From using traffic shaping to stretch limited...

What happens when having internet access isn’t enough? From affordability gaps to the hidden barrier of digital literacy, the new divide is more complicated than laying fiber.  Recorded live at Broadband Communities 2025, Georgette Lopez-Aguado and Rick Seemann talk with Jessica Denson of Connected Nation about how AI, policy shifts, and generational differences are reshaping who gets connected an...

In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig dig into why fiber isn’t always the smartest play. They get real about the tradeoffs ISPs face, soaring capex, endless permitting, and the race to market, and why “more fiber” doesn’t always mean better business. From hybrid strategies that win in the field to the pitfalls of overbuilding, the crew breaks down wha...

What happens when the biggest broadband funding push in decades stalls? From BEAD’s shifting goals to the unexpected role of political drama, the industry faces uncertainty at every turn. Recorded live at Broadband Communities 2025, Georgette Lopez-Aguado and Rick Seamann talk with Brad Randall about the setbacks, opportunities, and bold moves that could define the future of connectivity. 📍Timest...

In this episode of Bandwidth, Paul Dasbach, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig dig into why “bigger” isn’t always smarter when it comes to fiber builds. They unpack the realities ISPs are facing as they weigh high-cost expansion projects against smarter, more sustainable growth strategies—and why chasing scale can actually put operators at risk. From capital constraints to comp...

Everyone celebrates the day a merger or acquisition closes. But what comes after is where the real work begins. In this episode, Paul Dasbach, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig break down what really happens when teams, tech, cultures, and networks collide…and how to come out the other side stronger.

It’s not just outages that keep network operators up at night. It’s the alerts at 2AM, the legacy tech duct-taped together, the vendor roulette, and the invisible pressure of keeping communities connected. In this episode, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, Paul Dasbach, and Larry Weidig unpack the mental load behind the NOC, and what it really takes to keep broadband infrastructure alive.

When you're running an ISP, some days feel like a normal Tuesday. Other days? Total chaos. Paul Dasbach, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig trade war stories from their craziest moments in the field — from installation disasters to unbelievable customer situations. You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. You’ll realize you’re not alone.

Generative AI is changing everything. Including the way people use the internet. But what does that mean for ISPs? In this episode, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, Paul Dasbach, and Larry Weidig explore how AI could reshape demand, influence consumption patterns, and shift infrastructure priorities for providers across North America. Will it push networks to the edge, or unlock new opportuni...

In this first episode of Bandwidth, co-hosts Rick Seemann, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Paul Dasbach unpack what gives smaller ISPs a competitive edge in a market dominated by giants. From tighter community ties and real-world agility to a relentless focus on customer experience, the team shares stories and insights drawn from decades in the trenches. They also dive into common misste...

The most honest podcast in broadband. Hosts Rick Seemann, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Paul Dasbach, and Larry Weidig bring you straight talk from inside the trenches of broadband. What’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. Real stories. Practical insights. No jargon. No fluff.