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Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
Community Broadband Bits Podcast
Community Broadband Bits is a weekly audio show hosted by Community Broadband Networks Initiative Director Christopher Mitchell featuring interviews with people building community networks or otherwise involved with Internet policy. You can listen to episodes below or download via Apple, Google, or Spotify. Alternatively if you know what to do with it, copy the feed here.
We also produce a semi-regular video show called Connect This! that has its own site. Find other podcasts from ILSR here.
We also have an index of all episodes and links to transcripts. Keep up with new developments by subscribing to our one-email-per-week list sharing new stories and resources. We’d love to hear your feedback! Email us.
Don Means on Libraries and White Spaces - Community Broadband Bits Episode 79
This week, Don Means joins us to talk about public libraries, their role in the modern era, and an interesting pilot project involving several libraries and white spaces wireless technology. Don is the coordinator of the Gigabit Libraries Network and has a passion for both libraries and expanding Internet access to all.
We offer some basic background on "TV white spaces" wireless technology (see our other coverage of that technology here).
Bob Frankston Encore Interview - Community Broadband Bits Episode #78
For those looking for our weekly podcast over the holiday break, we decided to recut one of our early interviews with Bob Frankston, a favorite of Lisa's, and put it back in the feed. We ran the original interview for episode 14 of our Community Broadband Bits podcast and again now for episode 78.
In Indiana, Auburn Built Fiber Network Incrementally - Community Broadband Bits Episode 77
When a major employer in Auburn, a town of 13,000 in northeast Indiana, told the local government that it would have to move jobs to a different location unless it had improved Internet access, the local government first encouraged it to work with the telephone company.
Solar Powered Wireless on the Reservation - Community Broadband Bits Episode #76
When it comes to building a community owned wireless network, few have more experience than Matthew Rantanen, our guest for the Community Broadband Bits podcast this week.
Cedar Falls Shows Long Term Muni Network Success: Community Broadband Bits Episode #75
Cedar Falls Utilities operates one of the oldest community owned networks in the nation. It started as a cable network in the 90's, upgraded to FTTH recently, and this year began offering the first citywide gigabit service in Iowa. CFU Communication Sales Manager Kent Halder and Network Services Manager Rob Houlihan join me for Community Broadband Bits podcast 75.
We discuss why Cedar Falls Utilities decided to add cable to their lineup originally and how it has achieved the incrediblely high take rates it maintains.
Billy Ray on the Origins of the First Muni Broadband Network: Community Broadband Bits Episode #74
Last month, we unveiled a video teaser of our interviews in Glasgow, Kentucky over the summer regarding its municipal broadband network.
Common Cause, Network Neutrality, and the FCC Come Together in Episode 73 of Community Broadband Bits Podcast
We welcome Todd O'Boyle of the good government group Common Cause to our Community Broadband Bits podcast this week.
Responding to "Crazy Talk" Volume 4 - Community Broadband Bits Episode #72
We are back with the fourth volume of our responding to "Crazy Talk" theme on the Community Broadband Bits podcast.
Education SuperHighway Wants Better Broadband for Schools - Community Broadband Bits Episode #71
This week's podcast features an interview with Education SuperHighway CEO Evan Marwell to discuss how we can make sure all schools have the Internet access they need to succeed.
Wilson's Greenlight Leads North Carolina in Connectivity: Community Broadband Bits Episode #70
Greenlight, a muni FTTH network in eastern North Carolina's city of Wilson, is proving to be a powerful tool in attracting new residents and businesses.