The Broadband Bunch

In this episode, we speak with Merit Network's Vice President of Community Engagement, Charlotte Bewersdorff, and Pierrette Renee Widmeyer, Director of Marketing and Communications. Oxford's English dictionary defines digital divide as the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not. The digital divide is, and has been, a stark reality for millions...

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 Mc...

In this episode, we speak with Marc Dyman, Chief Revenue Officer for Fiberlight. In a time where fiber connectivity is of the essence, an Atlanta-based company has, over the last two decades, become an industry leading provider of fiber optic based high performance network connectivity solutions for telecom carriers, government, enterprise, content providers, and web centric businesses. FiberLight...

In this episode, we speak with Sean Colletti, Mayor of Ammon, Idaho. Among all the cities across the nation, which would be considered to have the most sophisticated fiber network? The Big Apple? Not even close. LA, San Francisco? No. It is Ammon Idaho with a population 16,500. The city of Ammon has created a local open access network where residents own the fiber and the service providers are in...

In this episode, we speak with Jason Guzzo, General Manager of Hudson Valley Wireless. Hudson Valley Wireless, primarily located in the Capitol Region of New York State, delivers high speed internet access to homes all across the state, providing broadband access, fiber optic, high capacity microwave and fixed wireless technology, connecting homes and businesses. Jason Guzzo, General Manager, talk...

Few have done more to positively impact policies and procedures governing federal and state broadband deployment funding programs than attorney Tom Cohen, a partner in the law firm of Kelley Drye. Tom has 40 years of experience in the communications and telecommunications industry sector. His practice at Kelley Drye focuses on providing legal counsel to further the business interests of entities e...

In this episode, we speak with Deanna Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative. Ms. Perry explains how now, more than ever, the need for broadband connectivity is a stark reality. Distance learning, tele-health & a largely remote workforce are dependent on access to the internet. One statewide organization has made tremendous strides in their quest to achieve connec...

What began nearly two decades ago as a small microwave network designed to connect branch offices of the FA Peabody insurance company in Maine, has grown into a dynamic communications company serving nearly 70,000 customers across the Northern third of the pine tree state. After depending solely on wireless and then DSL, Pioneer Broadband embarked on a shift to fiber technology in 2010 with a netw...

In this episode, we speak with Washington Independent Telecommunications Association's executive director, Betty Buckley. Ms. Buckley began her career with a decade of service in executive management on the state government level and was honored with the governor's excellence in management and leadership award for her efforts to improve staff diversity, employee involvement and customer service. S...

In this episode, we speak with Francella Ochillo, executive director of Next Century Cities. Francella is a truly passionate digital rights advocate, who is very much committed to the vision of expanding broadband access for underserved and unserved communities everywhere. You will regularly find this dynamic leader on Capitol Hill, testifying before Congressional committees, and meeting with the...

In this episode, we speak with Kyle Glaeser, Director of Emerging Networks at Underline. Trained in GIS, Kyle has worked on various fiber network programs with Foresite group, Neighborly, Google, and Underline. Kyle helps us better understand the open access model, explains Underline's innovative approach to software-defined networks, and shares his vision for how networks can be configured to be...

In this episode, we speak with Paul Sulisz, CEO of Biarri Networks. His telecommunications career spans the better part of two decades in fiber, fixed access, and wireless networks, including cellular and microwave deployments from Asia Pacific to North America. He holds a double degree in electronics engineering and information technology, and began his career as a design engineer, quickly findin...

In this episode, we speak to Bob Thompson, the founder and CEO of Underline. Bob shares his interesting journey from banker to medic to community infrastructure advocate—working to solve the problem of internet infrastructure and connectivity in the US. We dig into the open access model and he helps us understand a different way to think about OANs compared to the historical and European views. We...

In this episode, our guest began his journey of connecting others while looking to help a friend who didn't have internet service at his business. Since then, he has for the better part of two decades of guided the growth of Wisper ISP into a fixed wireless, now serving portions of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He's a former member of the U.S. National Swim Team, and is a founding memb...

In this episode, we speak with Brian Snider, the CEO of Lit Communities. Brian walks us through the mission and the origin of Lit Communities. He helps us understand how he's working with municipalities to think differently about network approaches, the value of broadband and funding for broadband initiatives. He explains a little bit about the partnership, Medina Fiber, that they've recently form...

In today's episode, we speak with Will Mitchell, the CEO and co-founder of VETRO FiberMap. Will explains geospatial or map-based analytics, he helps us understand why the telecommunication is now moving towards map-based information. He explains how network operators can benefit from intelligent broadband and fiber maps. We talk about post-COVID and how a better understanding of our infrastructure...

In this episode, we speak with Josh Seidemann, Vice President of Policy at NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association. Josh explains NTCA's role in supporting rural broadband service providers as well as helping state and federal policymakers understand the importance of high-quality broadband across the nation. We dig into the COVID crisis and its impact on rural America and discuss senior isolation,...

In this episode, we speak with Greg Aston, product director for ACS and Device Management Solutions. Greg shares device management challenges in 5G, wireless ISP, and post-COVID 19. More about Device Management and Intelligence: https://etisoftware.com/software-series/acs/

In this episode, we speak with Brad Hine, Product Director of GIS and Analytics Solutions at ETI. Brad explains the importance of broadband service providers and WISPS to monitor and manage communications delivery devices. The increased dependence worldwide on the internet to support a leap in remote workforce demands, distance learning, content streaming, telemedicine and more have placed a premi...

In this episode, Nathan Stooke, founder and CEO of Wisper ISP. He shares his journey from helping a friend who didn't have internet service to guiding Wisper ISP's growth as a fixed wireless leader in four States. A former member of the US national swim team and founding member of the Dyslexic Advantage Board, Nathan now serves as chairman of the board for the Wireless Internet Service Providers A...

In this episode, we speak with the Palmer Chair in Communications at The Pennsylvania State University, Professor Sascha Meinrath. He is a globally recognized technology policy, founded the innovative think tank X-Lab, which is focused on the intersection of vanguard technologies and public policy. He has been an angel investor, social entrepreneur, community internet pioneer and has been named to...

On this edition of The Broadband Bunch, we visit with Jason Richards, Vice President of Sales with Alyrica Networks in Oregon, a wireless broadband provider built on the strength of family and friends. Jason shares what attracted him to Alyrica and how their customer-centric approach has helped the company experience consistent growth in a highly competitive market. We talk about their wide range...

In this episode, we speak with Chris Smedley, General Manager of Conexcity, a wireless integration and small cell service company. Chris helps us understand the challenges of designing, building and supporting dense networks metro areas like New York City. We dig into some of the hype and reality of 5G. He shares how the COVID crisis has affected networks, municipalities and communities. And he ch...

In this episode, we speak with Kim McKinley, Chief Marketing Officer of Utopia Fiber. Kim provides a background on Utopia, one of the earliest open access networks in North America. We dig into the impact of the COVID crisis on their network and partners; getting insight into the impact on customer service, field service, and networks. We talk about how municipalities and network operators can thi...

In this episode, we are joined by Johannes Bauer, Quello Chair in Media and Information Policy as well as the Director of the Quello Center. He's joined by Pierrette Dagg the Director of Marketing and Events at the University of Michigan and Merit Network. In this episode, we dig into the homework gap and the latest research this team has produced around the digital divide. They share findings on...