Bandwidth

The streaming landscape is more fragmented than ever, but that does not mean TV is dead for ISPs. In this episode of Bandwidth, Rick Seemann and Larry Weidig sit down with Michael Hawkes from TiVo to unpack why the bundle still matters, how content-first video strategy can reduce churn, and why operators still have an opportunity to win on entertainment. If you have ever wondered whether TV still...

The internet does not stay reliable by accident, and most ISP teams only see one side of the system. In this episode of Bandwidth, Rick Seemann and Larry Weidig sit down with Jonathan Black, Executive Director of NANOG, to unpack the engineer-led, vendor-neutral organization helping keep the broader internet open, secure, and resilient. If you operate a broadband network and want a better understa...

AI adoption for broadband operators is moving fast, but many teams are still trying to figure out where to start, what tools to trust, and how to use AI without getting overwhelmed. In this episode of Bandwidth, Rick Seemann, Larry Weidig, and Jason unpack the practical reality of AI in broadband, from everyday use cases to vendor hype, automation risk, and why operators should focus on real probl...

The digital divide is no longer just about broadband access. In this episode, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig break down why broadband adoption still lags even when service is available, and what that means for ISPs trying to close the real gap. The conversation explores affordability, digital literacy, language support, and why access alone does not solve the problem. They...

The install is not just a technical moment. It is a brand moment. In this episode, Larry, Rick, and Georgette break down why field operations shape customer trust faster than most ISPs realize, and how one bad install can create avoidable churn, repeat truck rolls, and long-term support pain. The conversation covers the tradeoff between speed and quality, the soft skills that separate average tech...

Operational bottlenecks in ISP growth can quietly destroy customer experience, slow installs, and create chaos before most providers even realize there’s a problem. In this episode, Rick Seemann, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, and Larry Weidig break down the operational bottlenecks that hurt ISPs most—manual processes, tribal knowledge, field technician inefficiencies, documentation gaps, and the hidden...

ISP field service stories don’t just entertain—they reveal the real operational challenges that can make or break your team. In this episode of ISP field service stories, you’ll hear unforgettable, real-world moments from the front lines that highlight safety risks, customer dynamics, and the human side of running an ISP. If you’ve ever worked in support, dispatch, or field operations, these ISP f...

MDU internet strategy is often pitched as easy growth for ISPs, but this episode reveals why MDU internet strategy quickly turns into operational chaos without the right playbook. If you're navigating MDU internet strategy, this conversation breaks down how to avoid losing control, improve customer experience, and actually scale. Learn why frictionless setup, not just speed or price, is becoming t...

The ticket says "internet's not working," but your network looks fine — so where's the real problem? In this episode, we break down why customers blame their ISP for in-home issues, how managed WiFi can turn a support headache into a revenue opportunity, and where to draw the line on troubleshooting equipment you didn't deploy. We also play Love It or Hate It, tackling gear resets, the WiFi-equals...

Traffic shaping gets a bad rap, but done right, it's one of the smartest tools an ISP can use. It's not throttling—it's optimization. And when implemented correctly, customers may not even realize it's happening. In this episode, we break down: • How traffic shaping actually works • The difference between prioritization and throttling • Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) explained • Why transparency bui...

You didn't lose that customer because of speed, pricing, or coverage. You lost them because of friction in the install, billing, or the first 10 minutes of using your service. In this episode, we dive deep into where ISPs drop the ball after the sale—from miscommunication between sales and support to onboarding mistakes that quietly drive churn. Most operators think customer loyalty is about relia...

AI isn’t replacing ISP jobs, but it is changing how networks are run, decisions are made, and customers are kept or lost. In this episode of Bandwidth, hosts Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Rick Seemann break down how ISPs are actually using AI today, from churn prediction and call analysis to smarter routing, fraud detection, and faster decision-making across teams. They unpack where AI...

Security isn’t just about firewalls and firmware updates. It’s about the small oversights, human moments, and vendor decisions that quietly put your network and your reputation at risk. In this episode of Bandwidth, hosts Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Rick Seemann break down the real-world security threats ISPs deal with every day, from legacy hardware that never truly dies to installe...

Marketing isn’t optional for ISPs, but wasting money on it is.  In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Rick Seemann break down how ISPs can market smarter, build a brand that actually works, and avoid the common mistakes that quietly stall growth. They unpack what operators often misunderstand about branding, why consistency matters more than flashy tactics, and ho...

In this episode of Bandwidth, hosts Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Rick Seemann dig into one of the most overlooked pressure points inside ISP operations: inventory management.  They break down how inventory shifts from an asset to a liability, how cash gets tied up on shelves and trucks, and why inventory problems are rarely just a warehouse issue. The conversation covers serialized as...

In this episode of Bandwidth, hosts Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Larry Weidig, and Rick Seemann break down how ISPs can stay prepared when a new competitor enters the market. They walk through practical steps for strengthening your presence, communicating clearly with customers, and understanding how a competitor’s arrival may affect your business. You’ll hear how to assess what’s changing in your serv...

In this episode of Bandwidth, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, Rick Seemann, and Larry Weidig get into the messy reality of outsourcing for ISPs. They talk about what really happens when you hand off installs, call centers, or tower work, from the contractors who won’t share their knowledge to the horror stories of water damage, bad connectors, and call quality that tanks customer trust. Along the way, the...

In this episode, Georgette, Larry, and Rick get real about the hardest part of growth, keeping your team aligned when success changes everything. They unpack what happens when “values” become wallpaper, why good techs sometimes turn toxic, and how fast-growing ISPs can protect the culture that made them great in the first place. You’ll hear the hidden costs of ignoring culture, why happy teams are...

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...