Community Broadband Bits

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North Carolina’s Broadband Preemption Law Means Leaving Money on the Table – Bonus Episode 12 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Feb 23, 2021

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For the twelfth episode of our bonus series, “Why NC Broadband Matters,” we’re joined by North Carolina League of Municipalities Chief Legislative Council Erin Wynia to talk about Internet access in the state a full year into the COVID 19 pandemic, and the access gaps experienced in towns across the eastern part of the state. Erin shares … Continue reading "North Carolina’s Broadband Preemption Law Means Leaving Money on the Table – Bonus Episode 12 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

“This Isn’t a Game:” The RDOF Auction, Unforced Errors, and Getting Infrastructure Funding Right – Episode 448 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Feb 16, 2021

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The conclusion of the RDOF auction was met with a good deal of drama and uncertainty, leaving many of us working after the fact to understand the policy and practical impacts of its outcomes. This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Jonathan Chambers, a partner at Conexon, a network solutions provider for electric cooperatives … Continue reading "“This Isn’t a Game:” The RDOF Auction, Unforced Errors, and Getting Infrastructure Funding Right – Episode 448 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

“Fiber from the Sea to the Mountaintop” with Anza Electric Cooperative – Community Broadband Bits Episode 447 Feb 09, 2021

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This week on the podcast Christopher talks with Anza Electric Cooperative General Manager Kevin Short, and Network Administrator Sean Trento. Anza Electric stretches across 550 square miles in Southern California between San Diego and Palm Springs, sandwiched between the Salton Sea and the San Jacinto Mountains. About 6 years ago they initiated a vote to see whether … Continue reading "“Fiber from the Sea to the Mountaintop” with Anza Electric Cooperative – Community Broadband Bits Episode 447" ★ Support this podcast ★

Partnerships Bring Better Broadband to Le Sueur County, Minnesota – Episode 446 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Feb 02, 2021

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This week on the podcast we’re catching up with what’s been happening in Le Sueur County (pop. 28,000) in southern Minnesota, and path they’re on to turn the region from one of the least connected in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes to one on track to becoming among the most connected in the next couple of … Continue reading "Partnerships Bring Better Broadband to Le Sueur County, Minnesota – Episode 446 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Wrapping Up a Landmark Year for the UTOPIA Fiber Network – Episode 445 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Jan 26, 2021

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2020 was a year of explosive growth for what is now UTOPIA Fiber’s 15-city footprint, fueled by unprecedented demand. The network buried 1.7 million feet of conduit and 1.4 million feet of fiber cabling, driven by 10,000 new residential installations and over 500 new business connections. This week on the podcast Christopher is joined by CEO and … Continue reading "Wrapping Up a Landmark Year for the UTOPIA Fiber Network – Episode 445 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Reforming Rural Funding Structures for a Better Broadband Tomorrow – Episode 444 of the Community Broadband Podcast Jan 19, 2021

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This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Larry Thompson, CEO of Vantage Point Solutions, a South Dakota-based company which provides engineering, consulting and regulatory services for ISPs of all sizes. The two talk about how the variety of subsidy and grant programs we’ve built to get broadband out into rural areas and make sure folks … Continue reading "Reforming Rural Funding Structures for a Better Broadband Tomorrow – Episode 444 of the Community Broadband Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Loveland Pulse Races Ahead – Episode 443 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Jan 12, 2021

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The Front Range in Colorado has been a hotbed of activity recently, and just before Christmas we wrote about how Fort Collins, Estes Park, and Loveland are all pursuing projects to bring better connectivity to residents in the region. This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Fiber Manager Brieana Reed-Harmel andMarketing and Communications Manager … Continue reading "Loveland Pulse Races Ahead – Episode 443 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Finding Our Way with the Help of Digital Navigators – Episode 442 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Jan 05, 2021

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In August we first covered the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s new Digital Navigator’s program, which provides a best-practices model for organizations looking to use local resources to help neighbors learn the skills and overcome their reluctance to getting online. This week on the podcast Christopher welcomes Paolo Balboa, Program Manager at the National Digital Inclusion Alliance … Continue reading "Finding Our Way with the Help of Digital Navigators – Episode 442 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Predictions for 2021, Year in Review for 2020 – Episode 441 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Dec 22, 2020

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2020 is nearly over, and it’s that time of the year we sit back with a cold glass of eggnog and reflect on what was, what is, what might have been, and what will be. In this episode the Community Broadband Bits podcast the MuniNetworks team cranks up Zoom for the zillionth time this month to … Continue reading "Predictions for 2021, Year in Review for 2020 – Episode 441 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

Building Digitally Equitable Communities – Bonus Episode Ten of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast Dec 17, 2020

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For the tenth episode of our special podcast series “Why NC Broadband Matters,” we’re talking about the innovative Building a New Digital Economic (BAND-NC) grant program, which provides funds to support devices, subscriptions, and digital skills training to communities across North Carolina. The program disbursed its first round of money to 29 projects across 39 … Continue reading "Building Digitally Equitable Communities – Bonus Episode Ten of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast" ★ Support this podcast ★

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