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Broadband Action
by Community Broadband Action Network
How is it that the U.S. still faces challenges around the adoption and accessibility of fast, reliable, affordable, and universally available broadband? How does broadband access - or the lack of it - impact the lives of those who live in underserved or untapped communities?Hosts Curtis Dean and Jon Willow - co-founders of the Community Broadband Action Network - take on the issues faced by community broadband providers and advocates. With special guests from across the spectrum of broadband (no pun intended!), expect a lively, roundtable-style conversation in every episode.
Episodes
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Member Spotlight - LRB Public Finance Advisors
Curtis Dean with CBAN chats with Laura Lewis and David Robertsons, two of the principals at LRB Public Finance Advisors, a CBAN Associate Member. The two discuss how public broadband networks are financed and challenges the process presents. Visit their website to learn more. https://lrbfinance.com
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Overcoming Operational Hurdles on Open Access Fiber
Recorded during a session at Broadband Communities Summit in Houston on August 25, 2025, CBAN's Curtis Dean moderates a panel discussion on the challenges in operating an open access network. Panelists: Jeff Irwin, Utopia Fiber; David Chile, Anthem Broaband; and Ariane Schmidt, Spokane Retional...
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A Conversation with Josh Edmonds of Digital C
Digital C is Cleveland's own nonprofit internet provider, built to reach the roughly one in three Cleveland households that traditional ISPs left behind. In this episode, host Curtis Dean talks with CEO Josh Edmonds about how Digital C uses a hybrid wireless-fiber network — rooftop radios beaming...
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Fiber Connect 2026 Recap
CBAN's Curtis Dean recaps his experience at Fiber Connect 2026, presented by the Fiber Broadband Association.
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2026 Mountain Connect Preview
What's new, what's next, and why Denver should be on every community broadband operator's calendarCurtis Dean sits down with Mountain Connect CEO Jeff Gavlinski for an inside look at one of the broadband industry's most anticipated annual gatherings. As the Mountain Connect conference prepares to...
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Connectivity for a Cause - Mission Telecom
CBAN's Curtis Dean and Jon Willow chat with Mark Colwell, Executive Director of Mission Telecom. Mission Telecom provides low-cost 5G internet to nonprofits, schools, and libraries to help them close the digital divide.
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BEAD Challenges
As BEAD dollars begin to flow, and BEAD-funded projects begin construction, what impact will it have on the supply chain? Curtis Dean with CBAN discusses the challenges posed by BEAD with Ashley Travers with KGPCo and Lori Adams with Nokia.
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Communities Unlimited’s Blueprint for Connectivity
In this episode of Broadband Action recorded at Connected America, we sit down with Catherine Krantz of Communities Unlimited to explore the essential role of technical assistance in closing the digital divide. Catherine dives into the organization’s mission to support communities facing...
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CBAN 2026 Spring Summit Preview
Host Curtis Dean chats with three of the headlining speakers at the 2026 Spring Summit.--Gary Bolton, Fiber Broadband Association--Ryan Mulhall, Iowa Communications Network--Brent Legg, Connected NationJoin us April 1-3, 2026 in Ames, Iowa!...
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30th Anniversary of the Telecom Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 turns 30 years old this year. To "celebrate", CBAN talks with Sean Stokes of Keller & Heckman LLP about the origins of the Act, how it's working, and what changes are needed in today's telecommunications environment. https://www.khlaw.com
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2025 Broadband Turkey Awards
Doug Dawson with CCG Consulting joins Curtis Dean and Jon Willow to discuss what he believes are the top 5 "turkeys" of the year in the broadband industry. Doug blogs daily at https://potsandpansbyccg.com. His "Turkey Awards" are available at...
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The Limitations of LEO Satellite Broadband
BEAD is putting a lot of broadband eggs in one high-flying basket - low earth orbit satellite internet. In this edition of Broadband Action, CBAN's Curtis Dean chats with Glenn Fishbine of Breaking Point Solutions about whether LEO can deliver.
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Doug Dawson's 2026 Broadband Predictions!
It's a holiday tradition at CBAN! Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting reveals his broadband predictions for 2026 to CBAN's Jon Willow and Curtis Dean. https://potsandpansbyccg.com
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EPB and $5.3 Billion in Savings
In 2010, Chattanooga's municipal utility EPB made a controversial $396 million bet on citywide fiber infrastructure. Fifteen years later, economist Dr. Bento Lobo and EPB's William Plank reveal the results in this episode of Broadband Action: $5.3 billion in economic value, 10,420 jobs created…
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BEAD Update
Curtis Dean with CBAN chats with Doug Adams of Broadband Marketers. Doug has been following the rollout of NTIA approvals for state BEAD programs for the past several weeks, and has some good insights as to what may be coming next. Be sure to check out Doug's insightful articles at...
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NTIA Approves 18 BEAD Final Proposals
CBAN's Curtis Dean talks about the NTIA's announcement that it has approved 18 state/territory final BEAD plans, an important step forward to bringing better broadband to many Americans.https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2025/ntia-announces-approval-18-bead-final-proposals
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Local Programming for Broadband Providers
In this episode of Broadband Action, we discuss how broadband operators can serve their community through video coverage of community events. Curtis Dean chats with Karyn Leininger of Spencer Municipal Utilities and Monte Goodyk with Pella Fiber about their services.
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Connecting Agriculture in Yuma County, AZ
In this episode of Broadband Action, host Curtis Dean explores Yuma County, Arizona's innovative approach to digital infrastructure with PJ Way, Broadband Program Manager. Way details how the county has strategically combined ARPA and local funding to construct an extensive middle mile fiber...
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Spring Summit Preview
CBAN's Curtis Dean wakes up long enough to record this episode of Broadband Action with co-founder Jon Will to preview the CBAN/IAMU 2025 Spring Summit in Ames, Iowa on April 22-23, 2025.
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Rural LISC Broadband Help Hub
On this edition of Broadband Action, CBAN’s Jon Willow chats with Christa Vinson and Joshua Williams with Rural LISC. Rural LISC believes that in a resilient rural community, digital access means affordable, reliable broadband internet, widely available internet-enabled computer technology and...
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The Future of the USF
The Universal Service Fund has played a huge role in getting Americans connected, first with telephone service and later with broadband. But legal challenges to the USF could put the program in jeopardy. In this episode of Broadband Action, we chat with Christopher Mitchell of the Institute for...
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An "All-of-the-Above" Approach to Connectivity
In this episode of Broadband Action, the CBAN podcast welcomes Alan Fitzpatrick, who shares valuable insights from his work with Open Broadband in the Carolinas. The discussion delves into Open Broadband's innovative approach to connecting underserved communities through a technology-agnostic...
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Covering the Broadband Beat with Brad Randall
In our final addition of Broadband Action for 2024, Curtis Dean visits with Brad Randall, editor at Total Telecom, as par of our "Covering the Broadband Beat" series. Randall shares his perspectives as a journalist covering the broadband industry and discusses some of the top broadband stories of...
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Doug Dawson's 2025 Predictions
A Broadband Action favorite! Curtis Dean and Jon Willow chat with Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting, whose annual predictions edition of his Pots and Pans blog is a must-read among industry professionals. What do the next 12 months have in store for broadband? The almighty sage soothsayer, omnipotent...
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Broadband Policy Under The (New) Trump Administration
What will be the impact of the (once and future) Donald Trump administration on broadband policy in the US? CBAN's Curtis Dean and Sean Stokes with Keller and Heckman LLP discuss possible changes to BEAD, the Universal Service Fund, FCC initiatives, and more. https://www.khlaw.com
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BBC Summit West Review
CBAN's Curtis Dean provides an overview of the Broadband Communities Summit West held in San Diego, CA on October 30-31, 2024. Thank you to our sponsor ImOn Communications for supporting our trip to BBC Summit West! https://www.imon.net
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Device Recycling and Refurbishment
Getting digital devices into the hands of people who need them is a vital need in digital equity work. In this episode, we chat with two nonprofit organizations that are helping close the digital divide through device recycling, refurbishment, and distribution. Ashley Smith, E2D...
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Mapping the Community Broadband Landscape
The latest edition of Broadband Action, the CBAN podcast, is now available for viewing or listening! CBAN's Jon Willow chats with Ry Marcattilio from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) about a new map of community networks across the U.S. The map, updated with a new engine and user...
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Broadband Action - BBC Summit West Preview
The Broadband Communities Summit West happens at the end of October. In this edition of Broadband Action, we chat with one of the event organizers, Brad Randall. We also chat with Jim Baller with Keller and Heckman LLP, a CBAN Broadband Backer. Baller and his team will lead one of the session...
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Broadband Action - 2024 Fall Forum Preview
Hosts Jon Willow and Curtis Dean provide a sneak peak at the upcoming 2024 CBAN Fall Forum in West Des Moines, Iowa on October 10th. The event will also be streamed live for online attendees. Curtis chats with Dr. Christopher Ali, the Summit keynote, about his message to attendees. To learn more...
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A (Broadband) Desert Island
On this episode of Broadband Action, we turn our attention to a small island in Lake Michigan with big broadband challenges. Beaver Island, Michigan leaders have been trying for years to create a solution to inferior broadband by getting a fiber network built. CBAN's Curtis Dean and Jon Willow...
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Broadband Action - 2024 Fiber Connect Recap
CBAN's Curtis Dean shares his perspectives on Fiber Connect 2024, one of the broadband industry'a major events. Over 5,000 people attended this event in Nashville, TN hosted by the Fiber Broadband Association (a CBAN Advocate Member). Curtis discussed the event, the venue, and some of the news…
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Covering the Broadband Beat
In this episode of Broadband Action, CBAN's Jon Willow and Curtis Dean talk with Karl Bode, a journalist who's been covering broadband for 25 years. Karl shares his perspective on the big issues facing the broadband industry and some insight on what further changes may be coming.
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Home Grown Alternatives to the ACP
In this episode of Broadband Action we chat with leaders at two municipal broadband utilities who have integrated their own affordability programs to benefit their community members. Chad Crager is the Broadband Executive Director at Fort Collins Connexion and Chris Roy is General Manager at...
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Bringing Better Broadband Home
In an interview borrowed from a CBAN Member Spotlight, Curtis Dean with CBAN chats with Justin Stinson of Liberty Communications, a community focused broadband provider in Iowa. Liberty has been very proactive in not only improving services to their traditional customer base but expanding to new...
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ACA Connects BEAD Impact Report
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, also known as BEAD, is slowly inching toward implementation. The access portion of BEAD, which is where most of the money will be spent, has the stated goal of achieving universal broadband availability across the nation. The BEAD framework is...
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Municipal Broadband Growth
CBAN is a big supporter of community-owned broadband networks, as well as private providers with strong community roots. So we were excited to read a recent report by our friends at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance which outlined just how much the municipal broadband community has grown in...
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Esports and Education
In the latest edition of of Broadband Action, we’ll explore the relationship between higher education and Esports. Co-hosts Jon Willow and Curtis Dean chat with Jason Clark, one of the founders of the Collegiate Fighting Game Conference, to discuss how epsports competition serves the larger role…
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The Locate Crisis
An unprecedented amount of network construction has been take place over the past few years as the nation works to try to bring better broadband to more Americans. And that pace of construction will only accelerate over the next several years as the BEAD program subsidizes new networks in…
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Doug Dawson's 2024 Broadband Predictions
Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting has dusted off his crystal ball and for the third year in a row shares is Broadband Predictions with the Broadband Action team. Will BEAD solve the nation's broadband problems? Will the ACP survive? Doug shares his predictions on these and other important topics!
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Local Planning for Better Broadband in Door County, WI
Door County, Wisconsin is one of the most picturesque areas of America. The county occupies a peninsula jutting between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. And like many rural areas, broadband is not available in many locations. After years of local efforts in the individual towns of Door County, a…
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There They Go Again - Attacks on Public Broadband
Since the very first municipal broadband provider was built decades ago, big telecom companies and their supporters have gone to great lengths to attack the rights of communities to build and operate broadband as a public utility. In this edition of Broadband Action we chat with Harvey Couch with...
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Safe Holiday Online Shopping
The busy holiday shopping season is upon us, and many Americans will be doing much of their shopping online. In this episode, CBAN Digital Navigator Brianna Dillavou has some tips to stay safe while shopping the online sales!
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Today Broadband Solutions for Underserved Areas
Getting broadband to the the millions of Americans who are unserved or underserved is a huge lift. Billions of dollars are flowing from the federal government to states for grant programs to subsidize the construction of broadband networks, mostly fiber networks, to reach underserved and unserved...
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Rural Telehealth - Opportunities and Challenges
One of the great promises of broadband is the ability to deliver health care services to rural Americans. In this episode of Broadband Action, we visit with Scott Raymond and David Cloyed of Nebraska Medicine at the University of Nebraska in Omaha for their views on the challenges and…
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Broadband Action - The Fiber Evolution
Fiber optic networks have evolved over the past 25 years. The technology has evolved to meet the growing needs of bandwidth. The economics have evolved to lower costs of deployment. And providers have evolved their thinking and, for the most part, embraced fiber as the gold standard for…
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The Alarming Truth About Young Adults and Digital Skills
Young adults are often referred to as "digital natives" because they've had access to digital devices their entire lives. However, this term fails to account for the fact that many young adults have limited abilities to use digital devices for learning or work. In this episode, we talk with Don...
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2023 Mountain Connect Preview
In this edition of Broadband Action, CBAN's Jon Willow and Curtis Dean chat with Jeff Gavlinski, CEO of Mountain Connect, to preview this year's conference in Denver. Jeff shares some highlights of the event from August 7-9 and teases some surprises for attendees.
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Devices and Digital Equity
A key element of digital equity efforts is getting the right devices into the hands of people who need them. In this episode, Jon Willow and Curtis Dean with CBAN chat with Karisa Tashjian, Director of Programs at Digitunity, a non-profit that advocates for device ownership.
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All About Althea
In this episode of Broadband Action, we chat with Deborah Simpier, CEO of Althea. Althea is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) platform and blockchain that enables the coordination of multi-stakeholder networks. Althea decouples the service and infrastructure layers of Internet delivery and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
How is it that the U.S. still faces challenges around the adoption and accessibility of fast, reliable, affordable, and universally available broadband? How does broadband access - or the lack of it - impact the lives of those who live in underserved or untapped communities?Hosts Curtis Dean and Jon Willow - co-founders of the Community Broadband Action Network - take on the issues faced by community broadband providers and advocates. With special guests from across the spectrum of broadband (no pun intended!), expect a lively, roundtable-style conversation in every episode.
HOSTED BY
Community Broadband Action Network
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Broadband Action have?
Broadband Action currently has 62 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Broadband Action about?
How is it that the U.S. still faces challenges around the adoption and accessibility of fast, reliable, affordable, and universally available broadband? How does broadband access - or the lack of it - impact the lives of those who live in underserved or untapped communities?Hosts Curtis Dean and...
How often does Broadband Action release new episodes?
Broadband Action has 62 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Broadband Action?
You can listen to Broadband Action on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Broadband Action?
Broadband Action is created and hosted by Community Broadband Action Network.
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