Unbuffered

Chris and Doug Dawson unpack a new survey of rural Americans, the lawsuit over the Digital Equity Act, and what the FCC's latest satellite decisions could mean for the future of our skies ★ Support this podcast ★

From America's 250th anniversary to BEAD and broadband policy, Chris, Sean, and Karl unpack some of the biggest stories shaping the telecommunications landscape ★ Support this podcast ★

The story behind the Tribal Broadband Bootcamps and the growing movement to build tribal networks across Indian Country ★ Support this podcast ★

Chris, Sean, Jordan, and Karl break down SpaceX IPO and Starlink, before Chris sits down with Jeff Gavlinski to preview this year’s Mountain Connect conference in Denver. ★ Support this podcast ★

A conversation about Longmont's NextLight network, community broadband, affordability, and what it takes to build one of the most successful ISPs in the country ★ Support this podcast ★

What does it take to build a sustainable model for closing the digital divide? How DigitalC grew to nearly 10,000 subscriber households ★ Support this podcast ★

What Vermont is getting right — and why Google’s AI search changes feel different ★ Support this podcast ★

A conversation about digital equity, dark money, and the fight over Internet access ★ Support this podcast ★

 In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Ernesto Falcon , Program Manager of Communications and Broadband Policy with the Public Advocates Office for a conversation about competition, mergers, and how to make sure the lowest-income households have access to an Internet connection that allows them to participate in the economy and civic life, as well as access telehealth and educational s...

A conversation about AI policy, emergent systems, distributed knowledge, and why the things that are easiest to measure “might not be the right things to measure.” ★ Support this podcast ★

BEAD delays, LEO satellites, permitting, affordability, and why mobile networks may be getting worse ★ Support this podcast ★

A conversation about how we organize networks—and who they serve ★ Support this podcast ★

An important conversation around what happened when federal agents came to Minnesota—and how communities responded ★ Support this podcast ★

A deep dive into one of the most successful municipal fiber networks in the country—and what other communities can learn from it ★ Support this podcast ★

Blair Levin returns to reflect on the decisions that built today’s Internet—and why we may not be ready for what comes next in an AI-driven world ★ Support this podcast ★

Unbuffered launches with a powerhouse roundtable on broadband policy, the FCC, and media consolidation. Karl Bode, Gigi Sohn, Doug Dawson, and Sean Gonsalves dig into whether today’s technology ecosystem is helping or hurting the public ★ Support this podcast ★

Unbuffered is here. In this kickoff episode, Chris Mitchell introduces a new chapter that builds on Community Broadband Bits while expanding the conversation around Internet access, power, and local control. Tune in for what’s next! ★ Support this podcast ★

Doug Dawson returns to break down the latest shifts in broadband policy and what they mean on the ground. From funding uncertainty to real deployment challenges, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what communities should actually be paying attention to ★ Support this podcast ★

As telecom companies and billionaires consolidate control over media outlets and platforms, what does that mean for journalism and democracy? Chris and Karl Bode unpack the long arc of media consolidation, the decline of local news, and why rebuilding informed communities may require both policy reform and stronger local connections ★ Support this podcast ★

As communities invest in broadband infrastructure, a bigger question looms: who controls the data flowing through those networks? Sascha Meinrath joins us to unpack the growing intersection of connectivity, surveillance, and civil liberties ★ Support this podcast ★

Jason Mittler returns to share progress on fiber expansion in Fort Pierce, digital equity efforts in Lincoln Park, and how municipal ownership allows the city to lower rates while strengthening its utilities ★ Support this podcast ★

Chris Mitchell, Doug Dawson, and Sean Gonsalves break down the latest telecom mergers, Starlink’s push to reshape BEAD rules, and new research showing how lack of competition drives higher prices for consumers ★ Support this podcast ★

Chris Mitchell, Doug Adams, and Karl Bode break down Starlink’s behind-the-scenes push to rewrite BEAD rules, what it means for accountability and public dollars, and why communities could once again be left holding the bag ★ Support this podcast ★

Brendan Kelly of REVinternet joins Chris Mitchell and Sean Gonsalves to explain why these neighborhoods are stuck with outdated networks—and how a community-centered approach can finally deliver affordable, reliable Internet where big ISPs have failed ★ Support this podcast ★

Chris Mitchell is joined by CBN colleagues to share bold predictions on BEAD delays, municipal broadband momentum, and the growing influence of fixed wireless, satellites, and AI ★ Support this podcast ★