
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
In this special episode of the podcast, we revisit our live forum called "Consider Affordable Broadband State by State". Chris is joined by Sean Gonsalves and Shayna Englin to explore how states like New York, Massachusetts, and California are tackling broadband affordability with the Affordable Connectivity Program's expiration.
They break down the legal and economic landscape of New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, discuss the political challenges of regulating Internet prices, and examine how state-led initiatives can push action around the country. Tune in for a deep dive into the policies shaping digital equity.
The previous live-stream is archived and can be viewed here.
This show is 35 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 with Mayor Tim Rosener and IT Director Brad Crawford of Sherwood, Oregon, about the city’s journey in building a community-owned broadband network.
They discuss Sherwood's unique approach to expanding fiber access, how they’ve leveraged Urban Renewal funding to support the network’s growth, and their commitment to keeping service affordable for residents.
The conversation highlights the importance of local control, the economic benefits of broadband investment, and Sherwood’s expansion into surrounding rural areas.
Tune in to hear how Sherwood is proving that community broadband can be both cost-effective and high quality, all while prioritizing local service and support.
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 episode of the podcast, Chris sits down with Representative Kelly Kortum of Montana to discuss his efforts to repeal a law that restricts municipal broadband networks in the state. Drawing on his personal experience growing up in a small Montana town with limited Internet access, Representative Kortum shares how his passion for technology has shaped his advocacy for better broadband for rural communities.
The conversation explores Montana’s existing barriers to broadband expansion, including outdated legislation favoring incumbent cable companies and the impact of federal funding programs like ARPA and BEAD. Representative Kortum highlights the critical role cooperatives and nonprofits, like Yellowstone Fiber in Bozeman, play in bridging the digital divide. Together, they emphasize the importance of local control in infrastructure development and the broader implications of equitable broadband access for innovation and economic growth.
Tune in to learn how one legislator is working tirelessly to empower small towns across Montana with faster, affordable Internet and to challenge corporate control of connectivity.
This show is 17 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 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.
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 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