In this episode of the podcast, Chris and the CBN team share their insights and bold predictions for the broadband landscape in 2025. Topics include the distribution of BEAD funds, the growing role of satellite providers like Starlink and Project Kuiper, state-level preemption laws, and the future of affordability programs.

The discussion tackles key challenges such as consolidation among telecom giants, the impact of tariffs on broadband affordability, and the urgent need for smarter investments in connectivity infrastructure. The team also highlights state-level progress, like in repealing state preemption laws, and anticipates the Federal Communications Commission's actions amidst a shifting political landscape.

Join us as we explore the opportunities and obstacles shaping digital opportunity and offer forward-thinking strategies for building resilient broadband ecosystems.

This show is 42 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

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Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks again with Blair Levin, former Director of the National Broadband Plan and current Equity Analyst at New Street Research. Together, they dive into the major issues shaping the year ahead for broadband and telecommunications.  

Levin shares insights on the evolving landscape of network ownership, media regulations, and market dynamics, while addressing pressing topics like the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program and its impact on affordability. The discussion also touches on the BEAD program, fixed and wireless broadband competition, and the influence of geopolitical and economic policies on deployment efforts.  

Levin critiques the Federal Communications Commission's priorities under Brendan Carr's leadership, predicts significant shifts in media ownership and content distribution, and examines the role of satellite Internet and emerging technologies. This forward-looking conversation also highlights the importance of reliable data and competitive intensity in shaping the broadband future.  

Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with expert predictions, political analysis, and reflections on the broader implications of broadband policy decisions.

This show is 45 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with PJ Armstrong, General Manager of MINET, about the innovative ways this municipal network is expanding connectivity in Monmouth, Independence, and Dallas, Oregon. 

They discuss MINET’s remarkable 75% market penetration, their unique partnership with investors for rural expansion, and their efforts to provide free Wi-Fi in local parks and public trolleys. Learn how MINET’s in-house team is taking on new challenges, such as underground infrastructure work, and how they’re navigating opportunities with federal programs like ARPA and BEAD.

Armstrong also shares insights into the community’s appreciation for reliable, locally operated Internet service and the complexities of extending broadband to unserved and underserved areas.

This show is 22 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this first episode of the new year, Chris sits down with John Farrell, Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Director of the Energy Democracy Initiative, to explore the intersections of telecommunications and energy policy.

They discuss the historical and ongoing impact of monopolies in these sectors, the challenges posed by regulatory frameworks, and how technological advancements like solar power and batteries are reshaping local power generation. Together, they unpack the parallels between broadband and electricity—touching on customer experiences, infrastructure investment, and the unintended consequences of scale.

This conversation dives deep into the incentives shaping utilities, the potential for community-driven solutions, and the urgency of adapting systems to modern challenges like climate change and peak demand. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue about breaking down barriers to innovation and building a more resilient, equitable future for energy and Internet access.

This show is 39 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this special year-end episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by CBN colleagues Christine Parker, Sean Gonsalves, Jessica Auer, and Ry Marcattilio for a lively review of 2024’s broadband highlights and challenges. The team revisits their predictions from the past year, covering everything from BEAD implementation delays and ACP’s demise to the persistent issues with broadband mapping and public-private partnerships.

The conversation dives into successes, like Vermont’s community-driven broadband efforts and local workforce training programs, while tackling concerns about federal inaction and affordability programs. Tune in for thoughtful reflections, friendly debates, and insights on what lies ahead for community broadband.

This show is 53 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Ry Marcattilio and Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEK Broadband, to discuss the evolving landscape of community broadband in Vermont. They explore the transformative merger of NEK Broadband and CVFiber, now covering 71 towns, and the innovative ways the organization is bridging connectivity gaps in one of the most rural and economically challenged areas of the state.

The conversation highlights NEK’s strides in workforce development, with local job training programs for broadband installation and maintenance, as well as partnerships with the Vermont Community Broadband Board and state funding efforts that have secured over $100 million in grants. Christa shares the importance of affordability programs like the NEK Digital Equity Pilot to sustain connectivity for low-income residents following the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

This show is 30 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris interviews Steven John, Chair of the governing board of DV Fiber, Vermont’s Deerfield Valley Communications Union District. They discuss Vermont's innovative approach to broadband access through Communications Union Districts (CUDs)—municipally led collaborations designed to provide universal, high-speed Internet. Steven highlights the unique challenges of delivering fiber to Vermont's rural communities, including navigating tough terrain, limited labor resources, and old infrastructure.

They explore the success of DV Fiber, which has connected hundreds of customers while adhering to a mission of affordability and accessibility. Topics include partnerships with local companies, lessons learned from electrification history, the resilience of fiber networks, and strategies for overcoming competitive pressures. This conversation provides a valuable look at how public governance and private expertise can merge to achieve universal broadband, even in the most challenging areas.

This show is 33 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris reconnects with Jose Pena, IT Director for the City of Pharr, Texas. They discuss Pharr's remarkable journey in building a municipal fiber network that delivers affordable and reliable Internet access to all residents and businesses in the city, including underserved and rural areas.

Jose highlights Pharr’s successful partnerships with the local school district, their innovative use of funding sources such as rescue plan dollars, and the community impact of providing high-speed Internet at a fraction of traditional costs. Learn how Pharr has achieved an impressive 50% take rate in just two years, saving residents millions annually and helping bridge the digital divide.

The conversation also delves into the city's digital equity initiatives, including home visits by digital navigators, free cybersecurity tools, and digital literacy training programs that come with free laptops. Jose also shares insights about their plans to expand connectivity to apartment complexes and businesses, as well as their forward-thinking internship program for local high school students. 

This episode is a testament to what municipalities can achieve in creating accessible, community-centered broadband networks.

This show is 30 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris Mitchell speaks with Andy Schwartzman, Senior Counselor at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, about pressing legal issues affecting telecommunications policy in the U.S. Schwartzman, with decades of experience in media and telecom law, discusses the shifting landscape following recent Supreme Court decisions that limit regulatory agency powers. 

They explain the implications of the Major Questions Doctrine and the end of the Chevron Doctrine for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), particularly how these changes impact the agency’s authority to support broadband access through the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Title II regulations.

The conversation also covers the FCC's policy on Wi-Fi for school buses, facing legal challenges due to the narrowed definition of "classroom." Schwartzman provides insights into the FCC's efforts to classify broadband under Title II, emphasizing how critical this designation is for public safety, cybersecurity, and broadband deployment through infrastructure like utility pole attachments. 

As Schwartzman explains, these legal battles highlight the complex intersections of telecommunications law, regulatory authority, and the broader challenges of fostering universal Internet access in a polarized political environment.

This show is 44 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license