Unbuffered

In this episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Lindsey Skolnik from the California Alliance for Digital Equity (CADE) about closing the digital divide in California. Discover key initiatives like the Middle Mile project, digital discrimination legislation, and the collaborative efforts driving broadband access for all communities. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Joshua Breitbart, Senior VP of the ConnectALL Office, about New York's ambitious municipal broadband initiative. Learn how over $200 million is being invested to expand broadband access across the state, leveraging diverse local partnerships and innovative models to bridge the digital divide. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the podcast, Chris and Sean discuss recent broadband infrastructure developments in California and Massachusetts, including significant funding awards and innovative programs like San Francisco's Fiber to Housing initiative. Tune in to hear about the challenges and solutions in expanding digital equity and high-speed internet access for underserved communities. ★ Support this po...

In this episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Eric Sasaki about Los Angeles County's innovative efforts to bridge the digital divide. Discover how the county is using federal funding and public-private partnerships to provide affordable, high-quality internet access to underserved communities. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Gigi Sohn and Bill Coleman about the benefits and challenges of community-controlled broadband networks. They discuss strategies for building public broadband, the importance of local support, and share insights from successful case studies. Tune in to learn how communities can take control of their digital future. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the podcast, Chris and Ry chat with Ellie de Villiers, Executive Director of Maple Broadband, about Vermont's innovative approach to bridging the broadband gap through the Communications Union District model (CUD). They explore the unique partnerships and challenges faced in expanding internet access to underserved areas, offering insights into the future of rural broadband depl...

In this episode, Chris speaks with Jade Piros de Carvalho, former head of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development, discussing the challenges of bridging the digital divide. Jade shares her journey from rural broadband expansion to managing significant funding aimed at improving broadband access in Kansas, emphasizing community-driven solutions and the multifaceted nature of deployment. ★ Suppor...

In this special episode of the podcast, Chris shares a segment from the Connect This! show, featuring insights from industry leaders on improving connectivity for low-income households. The discussion covers the impacts of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), as well as strategies for expanding broadband in rural areas. They also provide a critical l...

In this episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Mike Romano, Executive Vice President of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, about the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF). They explore the historical context, current funding challenges, and the need for sustainable reform to ensure ongoing connectivity. The discussion highlights the importance of broadening the funding base to support di...

In this episode of the podcast, Chris discusses the challenges of prevailing wage laws on small broadband providers in Minnesota with Brent Christensen and Jill Huffman. They explore the administrative and financial burdens these regulations impose and their impact on broadband expansion in rural areas. Tune in for insights on balancing fair labor practices with practical broadband deployment. ★ S...

Join Chris as he talks with Paul Hixson and Mike Smeltzer about the UC2B (Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband) project, which has revolutionized internet access in Champaign-Urbana, IL. They discuss the project's origins, its impact on local broadband competition, and the successful public-private partnership driving its expansion. Learn how UC2B is bridging the digital divide and setting a model for c...

On the 600th episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Dwayne Douglas from The Quilt Corporation about bridging the digital divide in marginalized Chicago communities through innovative solutions like mesh Wi-Fi and point-to-point fiber connections. Dwayne highlights the importance of digital literacy and community engagement in creating new opportunities for growth. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this special edition, we showcase the latest episode of our biweekly podcast, the Building for Digital Equity Podcast, featuring Dr. Shaun Glaze and Chris Webb from the Black Brilliance Research Project in Seattle. They discuss the project's origins after George Floyd's tragedy, emphasizing their unique research approach blending traditional methods with community activism to tailor solutions f...

Tune in to this week's special edition of the podcast as we revisit a dynamic discussion from our biweekly livestream, Connect This! Co-hosts Christopher Mitchell and Travis Carter, along with guests Doug Dawson, Kim McKinley, and Doug Maglothin, explore the state of middle-mile infrastructure in the US and strategies for enhancing connectivity between cities and towns. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this latest episode of the podcast, Chris and Derek from Hardy Telecommunications discuss the cooperative's journey since 1953, expanding from phone to broadband services, vital for rural areas. They share the challenges of being a small provider, the impact of federal funding, and emphasize the importance of partnerships and ongoing support for rural broadband access. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this latest episode of the podcast, Chris and Sean explore the arguments against municipal broadband, addressing claims made by opponents and highlighting success stories of community-owned networks. They emphasize the importance of local autonomy in broadband decisions, advocating for solutions that meet each community's needs. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this latest podcast episode, Christopher and Curtis Dean from the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) discuss the state of broadband in Iowa. They highlight the challenges faced by local providers, emphasize the importance of local control, and announce upcoming events like the CBAN Spring Summit, fostering collaboration for equitable broadband access. ★ Support this podcast ★

In the latest podcast episode, Christopher, Ry Marcattilio, and Sean Gonsalves discuss the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the urgent need for sustainable internet affordability solutions in the U.S. They highlight successful models of community-owned broadband networks from Pharr, Texas, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and provide updates on FCC broadband definitions, Longmont's m...

In this podcast episode, Christopher speaks with Brian Snider, founder of Lit Communities, discussing his extensive experience in the broadband industry and the importance of community-driven broadband initiatives. They emphasize the need for innovative business models to bridge the digital divide and highlight the significance of education and workforce development in shaping the industry's futur...

In this podcast episode, Christopher speaks with Philip Neufeld, Executive Officer for Information Technology at the Fresno Unified School District, about the vital role of data in addressing broadband challenges in low-income areas. They discuss Neufeld's proactive data collection efforts, stress the importance of using this data for advocacy, and highlight the need for collaborative solutions to...

Episode 591 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast features a panel from Net Inclusion that Christopher Mitchell moderated entitled, "Without Political Power, There is No Path to Digital Equity." In it, panelists raise difficult questions for the digital equity movement about whether they are on track to achieve their goals - whether the main strategies used today can result in digital equity or...

In this podcast episode, Christopher and Jason Mittler discuss the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Network, a fiber optic network in Fort Pierce, Florida, highlighting its diverse applications in providing Internet, utility services, smart grid solutions, and smart city services. They also touch on the Lincoln Park Smart Neighborhood project, addressing low broadband adoption rates by offering 100...

This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, a nonprofit in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to bridging the digital divide. DigitalC provides fast, affordable internet at $18/month, along with digital literacy training and device deployment. They've recently secured a $20 million contract from the city to expand their infrastructure, aiming to connect 23,000 househo...

This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by Chad Crager, Broadband Executive Director at City of Fort Collins, to talk about the rapidly maturing city-owned network they call Connexion. From a feasibility study in 2018 to the lion's share of construction completed today, Connexion's story illustrates the value of being nimble when expectations meet reality.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Newark, New Jersey has been operated a dark fiber network for more than a decade. In recent years, the city has expanded its efforts to leverage those assets in an incremental effort to improve connectivity and competition for local business and residents, while also building out a robust Wi-Fi network. The goal: build a portfolio of approaches to connect the last twenty percent of the city that d...