Community Broadband Bits

Latest Episodes:

Lessons Learned in Local Broadband Grants, and the Value of Perseverance – Episode 458 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast May 04, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast, Christopher is joined by ILSR’s senior editor and reporter, Sean Gonsalves, Doug Seacat, Owner of Deeply Digital and Clearnetworx, and Casey Irving, Director of Business Development, about bringing world-class connectivity to households in and around the city of Ridgeway, Colorado. Around five years ago, Clearnetworx won a Colorado broadband fund grant … Continue reading "Lessons Learned in Local Broadband Grants, and the Value of Perseverance – Episode 458 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

How Broadband Became a Municipal Utility in Conway, Arkansas – Episode 457 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Apr 27, 2021

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This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by two representatives from Conway Corp, a municipal utility in Conway, Arkansas to hear about their commitment to providing high quality Internet access to residents over the last four decades. CEO Bret Carroll and Chief Technology Officer Jason Hansen dive into the rich history of Conway Corp, starting … Continue reading "How Broadband Became a Municipal Utility in Conway, Arkansas – Episode 457 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Relationships Are Key: Partnering to Connect Minnesota – Episode 456 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Apr 20, 2021

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This week on the podcast, we’re joined by two representatives from Minnesota based CTC, a firm that started as a telephone cooperative and has become one of the most aggressive fiber network builders in greater Minnesota. CTC partners with electric cooperatives and communities to undertake internet infrastructure projects around the state. CEO and General Manager, Kristi Westbrock, and Director of … Continue reading "Relationships Are Key: Partnering to Connect Minnesota – Episode 456 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Speed Vs. Longevity: Rethinking How We Fund Rural Broadband – Episode 455 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Apr 13, 2021

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In this episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Chambers, a partner at connects at Connexon. Connexon has helped rural electric cooperatives build fiber to the home networks since its founding five years ago. Christopher and Jonathan talk about ideas for how to improve structuring rural broadband subsidies in a way that takes advantage of fiber infrastructure’s long … Continue reading "Speed Vs. Longevity: Rethinking How We Fund Rural Broadband – Episode 455 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Advantages and Potential Pitfalls of the Emergency Broadband Benefit – Episode 454 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Apr 06, 2021

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One component of the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a $3.2 billion program designed to get families connected to available service that they otherwise might not be able to afford. The program provides a subsidy of up to $50/month (or $75 on tribal lands) for broadband service as well as up … Continue reading "Advantages and Potential Pitfalls of the Emergency Broadband Benefit – Episode 454 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Resiliency in a Decade-Long Fight to Get Better Broadband – Episode 453 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Apr 01, 2021

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This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Belle Ryder, Orono, Maine Assistant Manager and President of the nonprofit OTO Fiber Corporation. The towns of Orono and nearby Old Town began their search for better broadband more than 10 years ago, and have overcome an array of challenges in bringing a pilot project to justify future-proof … Continue reading "Resiliency in a Decade-Long Fight to Get Better Broadband – Episode 453 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Chirping Soil and Autonomous Tractors: Connecting Agriculture in Nebraska – Episode 452 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Mar 23, 2021

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This week on the podcast, Christopher speaks with Julie Bushell, President of Paige Wireless and Co-chair of Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force. Christopher and Julie talk about the importance of reliable, symmetrical wireless data connections so farmers can deploy devices on farms which communicate across Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) protocols to bring … Continue reading "Chirping Soil and Autonomous Tractors: Connecting Agriculture in Nebraska – Episode 452 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Overbuilding and the Value of Real Competition – Episode 451 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Mar 16, 2021

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This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Travis Carter (CEO, US Internet), Deb Socia (President/CEO, The Enterprise Center), and Brian Worthen (President, Visionary Communications and CEO, Mammoth Networks) to talk about overbuilding. The group discusses the importance of reclaiming the term as what it really is: plain old competition. They discuss the economics of building … Continue reading "Overbuilding and the Value of Real Competition – Episode 451 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

From Broadband Barriers to Section 230 – Episode 450 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Mar 09, 2021

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This week on the podcast we’re joined by Berin Szoka, President of TechFreedom, to talk about the pressing broadband issues of today and tomorrow. Christopher and Berin share what they see as the biggest barriers to universal, high-quality Internet access today, including the jurisdictional issues facing communities large and small, as well as the regulatory solutions which … Continue reading "From Broadband Barriers to Section 230 – Episode 450 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Building a Network to Build a Network in Southwest Michigan – Episode 449 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Mar 02, 2021

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We don’t often get to spend a whole episode diving into the earliest work that communities do to set the foundation for progress in expanding high-quality broadband access down the road, but that’s what we’re talking about today. This week on the podcast Christopher is joined by Pierrette Renée Dagg, Director of Marketing and Communications … Continue reading "Building a Network to Build a Network in Southwest Michigan – Episode 449 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★