Drew Clark and his organization Broadband Breakfast are a true champion in the broadband industry. Drew is one of the nation's leading voices in advocating for improved broadband mapping, as well as a national geospatial system for collecting broadband data. He is widely recognized for his acumen in telecommunications law and policy, and also serves as president of the Rural Telecommunications Congress. Click now to learn about Drew and the Broadband Breakfast organization! Also, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of the Broadband Bunch!

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/

"Broadband Breakfast as a media community brings people together. " Founder, Drew Clark

In this episode, Joe and Kaleigh chat with Jason Cohen, the Founder and CEO of MyBundle.TV. The world is turning towards streaming but for consumers it can be a messy game keeping track of all the different streaming apps and services. MyBundle is a service that simplifies the process. Click now to listen as Jason shares why MyBundle is a win-win-win for consumers, content providers, and broadband operators. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

How MyBundle.TV is Changing the Streaming Game. Featuring CEO Jason Cohen

Everything you wanted to know about Fiber Connect 2022 - we weren't afraid to ask. We've got it all.  Brad, JJ and Rich do an amazing job sharing everything that is happening at this year's event. Click now to listen. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Fiber Connect Preview Show 2022 June 12-15, Nashville, Tennessee

In this episode, Brad Hine chats with Ken Rabedeau, Chief Technology Officer - Transportation, Energy, Public Sector at Nokia. They spoke at the 2024 UTC Telecom and Technology Conference in Mobile, Alabama. The conversation delves into Nokia's integration into the energy segment, highlighting the essential role of communications in utility networks. Nokia aims to bridge this gap by enhancing utility network efficiency with advanced technologies such as AI and cloud computing. The episode also touches on the evolution of Nokia's technology, its impact on the energy and transportation sectors, and the future role of AI in job optimization. Click now to listen. Also, subscribe to the Broadband Bunch so you never miss an episode.

https://www.nokia.com/industries/power-utilities/utility-broadband-services/

Understanding ROI in Utilities vs. Tech Sectors: Insights from Nokia at the UTC Conference

In this episode, Joe Coldebella chats with Jeff Gavlinski, CEO of Mountain Connect, to discuss the upcoming 10th anniversary of the event which happens Aug 5-7 in Denver Colorado. Mountain Connect features a range of keynote and breakout sessions focused on the evolving broadband industry. This year's event will spotlight BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) with participation from 30 state broadband offices. Key sessions include a Broadband 101 introduction session, and various tracks providing diverse perspectives on broadband issues. Click now to hear what’s happening at Mountain Connect 2024. Also, subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

To learn about the event: https://mountainconnect.org

Mountain Connect 2024: A Comprehensive Agenda Highlighting BEAD and Broadband Innovations

In this episode, Pete Pizzutillo chats with Heather Moyer, Founder and CEO of HNM Systems, at Fiber Connect 2024. HNM Systems offers staffing and engineering services for Telecom, Utilities, and IT organizations. Heather discusses with Pete the critical workforce challenges the broadband industry faces, including labor shortages and the need for better industry branding. Heather also reflects on her company’s mission to positively impact three million lives and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, resilience, and mentorship. Click now to listen. Also, subscribe to the Broadband Bunch on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

To learn more: https://hnmsystems.com/about-us/

How to Bridge the Talent Gap and Strengthen the Broadband Workforce

In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine welcomes John Meyer, CMO of Gateway Fiber. With over 20 years of marketing expertise spanning Fortune 500 companies, startups, and telecommunications, John shares the remarkable growth story of Gateway Fiber.

From its humble beginnings as a six-employee startup to becoming a competitive force in Missouri, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, Gateway Fiber is redefining broadband with its mission of providing fairer, friendlier, and faster internet. John discusses their customer-first approach, innovative marketing strategies, and the power of community engagement. He also offers insights into overcoming industry challenges, building strong team culture, and maintaining a customer-centric focus in a competitive landscape.

Episode 413: Fairer, Friendlier, Faster: Gateway Fiber’s Journey with John Meyer

Live from Broadband Communities West in San Diego, The Broadband Bunch host Brad Hine chats with industry veterans Bob Knight (Harry Marketing) and Kim McKinley (Chief of Staff at TAK Communications ). Known as the “Broadband Besties,” they share 20 fun and insightful broadband marketing tips in 20 minutes, from community engagement to authentic branding. This episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, and practical strategies for ISPs.

Broadband Marketing Unfiltered: Stand Out, Engage, and Build Your Brand

In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, recorded at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, Brad Hine sits down with Jason Moore, Co-Founder and CEO of RouteThis, to explore the challenges of delivering flawless in-home connectivity. Jason shares his career journey from silicon design and consumer tech to building a global platform that empowers ISPs, technicians, and subscribers to diagnose and resolve network issues right at the device level. They discuss RouteThis’ origins in solving video streaming problems, its growth into multiple product lines, and how its mobile-based tools eliminate guesswork for both support teams and end users. The conversation covers the rise of mesh systems, the increasing complexity of connected homes, the role of AI and AR in future troubleshooting, and the business case behind pairing exceptional customer experience with operational cost savings. Jason also offers insight into industry trends, smart device proliferation, and the importance of building networks ready to meet ever-rising customer expectations.

Episode 459: Jason Moore on Transforming In-Home Connectivity with RouteThis

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Joe Hickey, President of PomeGran, for a conversation about the realities of expanding rural broadband in Canada. Joe reflects on his 35-year career spanning telecom, defense electronics, wireless, and broadband, sharing how his passion for connecting communities has shaped his work today.

The discussion explores the challenges of delivering high-speed internet to remote regions, including navigating Canada’s grant programs, working through Indigenous land approvals, managing multi-utility make-ready processes, and operating in extreme northern climates. Joe talks about Canada’s multi-billion-dollar broadband funding initiatives and how they compare to the U.S. BEAD program, as well as the importance of community engagement and local partnerships in driving adoption. He also examines strategies for monetizing both new and existing networks in low-density areas and explains the broader economic benefits of rural broadband, from attracting industry and new residents to boosting GDP. Looking ahead, Joe discusses opportunities in satellite, 5G, and open-access networks, underscoring the need for passion, persistence, and creativity to overcome obstacles and keep projects moving forward.

Episode 456: Connecting Rural Canada with Joe Hickey of PomeGran

In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, host Brad Hine welcomes Stephen Farnsworth, Chief Revenue Officer at gaiia. Stephen shares gaiia’s compelling origin story—how it evolved from the in-house OSS/BSS platform of Canada’s fastest-growing ISP, OXIO, into one of the most talked-about disruptors in the U.S. broadband market. The conversation explores how gaiia is redefining the way ISPs manage their operations, emphasizing simplicity, flexibility, and intuitive design. Stephen discusses the importance of adapting technology to fit an ISP’s existing workflows, rather than forcing change through rigid systems. He explains how gaiia’s cloud-based platform, native APIs, and workflow engine empower ISPs to streamline subscriber onboarding, automate field service, and deliver a seamless customer experience. Throughout the conversation, Stephen reflects on the challenges legacy platforms pose, the accelerating demand for modern solutions, and how gaiia is positioned to help ISPs transform their business. Whether it’s supporting fixed wireless providers, fiber-funded startups, or multi-tenant rollups, gaiia is focused on delivering practical innovation and driving industry-wide change.

Episode 450: Stephen Farnsworth on Disrupting Telecom Operations with gaiia

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live from WISPAmerica 2025 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, host Brad Hine sits down with Josh Johnson, CIO of Fibersmith. With over 25 years in telecom and software development, Josh offers a look into the evolution of OSS/BSS, the power of automation, and the responsible integration of AI in broadband operations.

Josh shares the origin story of Fibersmith’s dual focus on engineering and software, revealing how real-world experience shaped their customer-first, workflow-driven product vision. He breaks down how Fibersmith’s geospatially aware workflow engine is enabling ISPs to automate complex integrations, streamline operations, and even predict customer churn and service issues using AI.

The conversation covers practical use cases—from AI-powered marketing automation and service delivery optimization to predictive analytics for revenue forecasting and network health. Josh emphasizes that while AI is still in its infancy in telecom, the groundwork being laid today with structured data and thoughtful design will unlock major benefits in the near future.

Episode 452: Josh Johnson on AI, Automation, and the Future of OSS/BSS

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Drew Beverage, Chief Operating Officer of 360 Broadband, from the floor at Mountain Connect in Denver. Drew shares the story of 360 Broadband’s evolution from a fixed wireless provider to a hybrid network operator bringing fiber to some of the most rural areas in Oklahoma and Texas. With 96 competitors in their expansive 12,000-square-mile footprint, Drew emphasizes that price is not their differentiator—customer experience is.

The conversation explores how 360 Broadband is using innovative tools and AI-powered platforms like GoCare, QC.AI, Actifai, and Sonar to meet customers where they are, proactively communicate during outages, and personalize service at scale. Drew walks through the operational benefits of text-based support, intelligent call scoring, and AI-driven self-service sales that happen even after midnight—all backed by real-time data and seamless system integrations.

Listeners will also hear Drew reflect on his personal journey from tower climber to telecom COO, his early days in the family business, and the leadership values that continue to guide his team today. With his trademark humility and wit, Drew offers insight into the changing broadband landscape, from BEAD funding complexities to the future of rural connectivity, and why an open ecosystem of best-in-class vendors is key to staying competitive.

Episode 462: How Drew Beverage is Driving 360 Broadband’s Transformation in Rural America

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded at Mountain Connect 2025 in Denver, host Brad Hine sits down with Peter Cresse, President of Entropy, a leading technology advisory firm. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform broadband networks—from predictive maintenance and latency reduction to the rise of AI agents that will reshape how providers manage and optimize their infrastructure.

Peter shares highlights from his pre-conference session “Accelerating AI into Broadband” alongside thought leaders from Nokia and Newby Ventures. They discuss where AI delivers immediate value for ISPs, the role of data centers in driving innovation, and why data quality and integration strategies are essential foundations for success.

Episode 464: Peter Cresse on AI, Data, and the Future of Broadband Networks

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Jeff Wabik of DC BLOX for a tour of how modern data centers are conceived, powered, cooled, and connected—especially across the underserved Southeast. Jeff traces his tinkerer roots (think Heathkit computers at age 12) through launching one of the earliest ISPs in the late ’80s, to helping build DC BLOX’s “bunker-plus-connectivity” model and its evolution from regional edge facilities to hyperscale projects—including a Myrtle Beach cable landing station serving global web giants.

Jeff discusses what it takes—from site selection and power realities to five-nines reliability and Tier III design—to deliver on the simple promise of “doing what you said you would do.” He talks through today’s biggest constraints—grid capacity, generator and fiber lead times, and skilled labor gaps—and where innovation fits, from AI-assisted construction verification to smarter alarm reduction across tens of thousands of sensors. Along the way, he offers candid career advice (keep reinventing yourself—and don’t forget sunscreen) and a pragmatic view on on-site generation (natural gas today, nuclear tomorrow?) to meet AI-era demand.

Episode 468: Jeff Wabik on Data Center Design, Power Challenges, and Delivering True Reliability

This episode of The Broadband Bunch was recorded live at Calix ConneXions 2025, where host Pete Pizzutillo sat down with Bob Carrick, Director of Global Strategy at Calix Cloud.

In this conversation, Bob walks through Calix’s cloud evolution—from its early managed Wi-Fi roots to today’s full-scale broadband platform that integrates Operations, Service, and Engagement Clouds. He shares how Calix’s latest innovations in AI and cloud migration to Google are redefining customer experience, network efficiency, and operational visibility for broadband providers.

Together, Pete and Bob unpack the challenges and opportunities of adopting AI in telecom—from eliminating data silos to building trust through human-in-the-loop models and agent-to-agent automation. They explore the role of industry standards (like TR-369 and MCP) in enabling interoperability, and how these frameworks will shape the next wave of AI-driven transformation across the broadband ecosystem.

Bob also discusses customer success stories, the importance of education and adoption, and how Calix is helping ISPs increase profitability, reduce truck rolls, and prepare for future M&A opportunities.

Episode 469: Bob Carrick on AI, Standards, and the Future of Calix Cloud

This episode of The Broadband Bunch features a conversation between host Pete Pizzutillo and Scott Neuman, Corporate Vice President of Marketing at Calix, recorded at Calix Connections 2025 in Las Vegas.

Scott shares how Calix is redefining the broadband industry’s approach to AI, customer education, and ecosystem collaboration. He explains how Calix helps service providers move beyond AI “literacy” toward true AI fluency, enabling them to understand, trust, and strategically deploy AI to transform their operations. The discussion covers the importance of building a solid data foundation, the rise of agent-based architectures, and how Calix’s “layer cake” approach ensures that AI initiatives deliver measurable value rather than short-lived hype.

Pete and Scott also explore how broadband providers can quantify business impact—from churn reduction and customer success strategies to driving adoption through data insights. Newman offers an inside look at Calix’s Connections On Demand virtual follow-up event, new innovations in SmartLife services, and how AI is enabling a new era of hyper-personalized marketing and customer engagement.

The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on BEAD funding, industry consolidation, and what it really takes for ISPs to thrive in an AI-driven broadband economy.

Episode 470: Scott Neuman on AI Fluency, Data Foundations, and the Future of Broadband

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap, Pete Pizzutillo catches up with Chris McKenzie, VP of Network Operations at Rapid Fiber, while at Calix ConneXions 2025. Chris shares his journey from the music industry to corporate IT to rural broadband, and how that experience shaped Rapid Fiber’s fast-moving deployment strategy. In just two years, the team has grown from zero to 7,000 subscribers while building out their entire network—staying a full quarter ahead of schedule. He explains why they rejected traditional demand aggregation and instead marketed fiber availability feeder-by-feeder, dramatically improving customer satisfaction and community engagement.

Chris also breaks down how AI is quickly becoming essential for small, efficient broadband teams. Rapid Fiber is using automation to reduce truck rolls, stay ahead of network issues, and keep subscriber experiences strong. He also highlights the value of Calix ConneXions, where operators gain direct access to industry leaders and emerging technologies. Tune in to learn how Rapid Fiber is scaling rural broadband with precision, creativity, and AI-driven operations.

Episode 471: AI, Fiber Growth, and Rural Strategy with Chris McKenzie of Rapid Fiber

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Travis Rice, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Camvio, recorded at Calix ConneXions 2025. Travis shares his unexpected path from fintech to telecom, how he landed at Camvio, and the company’s mission to simplify operations for ISPs through its end-to-end OSS/BSS platform.

Pete and Travis dig into some of the biggest challenges and trends shaping today’s broadband landscape: fragmentation across systems, the shift toward best-of-breed architectures, and the evolving role of integrations in delivering seamless subscriber experiences. Travis explains why many operators still struggle with brittle scripts, lack of standards, and aging infrastructures—and why consolidation paired with smart ecosystem partnerships is becoming essential.

They also explore the current state of AI in telecom, why much of the market is still in the “hype cycle,” and how AI will enhance—not replace—the people behind networks. Travis discusses the real opportunities: empowering CSRs, improving ticketing and escalation workflows, and elevating the customer experience.

Finally, Travis offers candid advice for operators navigating digital transformation, system scalability, migrations, and M&A-driven change—reminding leaders that long-term success depends on modern architecture, trusted partners, and a strategy built around data and efficiency, not just new tools.

Episode 472: Travis Rice on Scaling ISPs Through Integration, Automation, and Smart Architecture

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, Pete Pizzutillo reports live from Calix ConneXions in Las Vegas with two conversations that connect the dots between building fiber and filling it with subscribers. First up is Strider Denison, EVP Cityside Fiber, who shares how the Orange County-based provider is scaling fast by targeting “fiber desert” pockets in dense markets—without chasing grants or picking overbuilt fights. Strider walks through Cityside’s community-first build strategy (partnering closely with city leaders, accelerating permits, and even extending fiber to support smart infrastructure like traffic signals), plus a straightforward go-to-market approach: start customers at 1 gig and layer on differentiated services like .

The episode then shifts to the marketing engine behind that growth with Dennis Kelly, CEO of Postalytics, who explains how his team is modernizing direct mail into an automated, data-driven channel for broadband providers. Dennis outlines Postalytics’ evolution—from a contrarian bet on direct mail to a platform that connects to CRMs, triggers personalized mail in real time, and adds tracking/analytics marketers rarely get from traditional campaigns. He also shares why telecom has become Postalytics’ most successful vertical, highlights common wins like eliminating undeliverable addresses and saving real budget.

Episode 476: From Fiber Builds to Subscriber Growth with CitySide Fiber and Postalytics

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Chris Sikora, Chief Revenue Officer, and Tony Thakur, Chief Technology Officer at GPC Fiber, to explore their  165-mile, 400G-capable fiber build across Kentucky and what it means for mission-critical connectivity in the region. The conversation traces Chris and Tony’s long careers in fiber, the evolution from Great Plains Communications to the GPC Fiber brand, and why Kentucky’s Louisville–Lexington–Cincinnati–Indianapolis corridor is such a powerful hub for economic growth.

The episode highlights how GPC approaches market selection, their focus on mission-critical connectivity for hospitals, hyperscalers, logistics companies, and small businesses, and how vertical integration—designing, building, and supporting their own network—creates a differentiated customer experience. Tony breaks down the network architecture behind their 400G backbone, the path to 800G and 1.6T, ring topology for resiliency, and how they think about backbone, middle mile, and last mile design to ensure scalability and low latency. Chris shares how transparency, geographic expertise, and frictionless collaboration have helped GPC win business with hyperscalers and support economic development in rural Kentucky—“not just lighting up fiber, but lighting up opportunity.” The episode wraps with a look ahead at how AI, security, and seamless customer experiences will shape GPC Fiber’s next chapter in the Southeast.

Episode 473: Chris Sikora & Tony Thakur on GPC Fiber and Mission-Critical Connectivity

This episode of The Broadband Bunch features host Pete Pizzutillo in conversation with Kathy Kirchner, Senior Vice President of Service Assurance at Zayo. Kathy shares her journey from a Sprint call center to leading service assurance for one of North America’s largest fiber networks, with career stops spanning independent telcos, cable operators, Comcast, and startups. Her cross-functional experience in operations, engineering, customer care, logistics, and sales shapes how she approaches service quality and customer experience today.

Kathy dives into the realities of running a large, acquisition-heavy network: data integrity challenges, documentation gaps, fiber cuts, and the quest for faster, cleaner integrations. She explains how Zayo is using automation and AI differently—automating workflows like dispatch and ticketing while leveraging AI for alarm correlation, predictive maintenance, and faster RFO creation. Along the way, she talks about building a “single pane of glass” for operations, preparing for AI data center and long-haul demand, empowering teams with shared accountability, and offers practical advice for women pursuing leadership in technology.

Episode 474: Kathy Kirchner on Service Assurance, AI Adoption, and Fiber Resilience

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo speaks with Dan Siemon, CEO of Preseem, about helping regional broadband providers compete more effectively through proactive network intelligence. Dan shares his path from building early ISP networks to leading Preseem, a solution designed to give operators clear visibility into network performance and customer experience.

The conversation explores how telemetry, latency analysis, and vendor-agnostic data normalization enable operators to move beyond reactive troubleshooting and focus on the issues that have the biggest impact. Pete and Dan also discuss AI’s emerging role in customer support, the challenges of scaling smaller providers, and why strong local ISPs remain essential to their communities.

Episode 475: Dan Siemon of Preseem on Network Telemetry, QoE, and Smarter ISP Operations

The Broadband Bunch closes out 2025 with its annual Year in Review episode, featuring the return of the Buy, Sell, or Hold game. Hosts Brad Hine and Pete Pizzutillo are joined by five industry leaders—Lori Adams (Nokia), Bob Knight (Harry Marketing), Matt Larsen (Vistabeam), Kim McKinley (TAK Broadband), and Jade Piros de Carvalho (Socket Fiber)—to weigh in on the biggest broadband topics that shaped the year.

From BEAD funding delays and ISP consolidation to network monetization, automation, AI, and what’s coming next in 2026, this episode captures the real conversations happening across the industry. The group also tells about moments, conferences, and connections that made 2025 memorable, offering insight into where broadband stands today—and where it’s headed next.

Episode 477: A Year in Review The Biggest Broadband Wins Challenges and Trends of 2025

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Jeff Boozer sits down with Doug Dawson, President of CCG Consulting and author of the widely read industry blog POTs and PANs. Drawing from decades of experience advising ISPs across the country, Dawson shares practical insights inspired by his recent blog post, “ISP New Year’s Resolutions.” The conversation explores the recurring operational challenges that small and mid-sized broadband providers face year after year—and why so many important initiatives remain stuck on the to-do list.

Doug and Jeff dig into issues such as integrated records, reducing costly truck rolls, understanding true profitability, managing rising employee benefit costs, and the struggle many ISPs have with business sales and inventory management. Dawson explains how staffing constraints, limited budgets, and the technical culture of many ISPs often prevent progress on these critical projects—even when leadership knows they need to be addressed. He also offers a perspective on what separates operators who break through these barriers from those who continue to defer them.

Episode 478: Doug Dawson on the Operational Challenges ISPs Can’t Ignore

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo talks with Johnny Hill, Chief Operating Officer at Clearfield, about his career from entry-level customer service to the C-suite and how that experience shaped Clearfield’s customer-driven approach to fiber connectivity. Johnny talks about the changes and growth of the industry, the fundamentals of fiber management, and the importance of listening to customers when designing solutions that work in the real world. Johnny also discusses the shortage of skilled fiber labor and how initiatives like FOA certifications, Clearfield College, digital training tools, and new programs supporting tribal communities are helping build the next generation workforce.

Episode 480: Johnny Hill Talks Workforce Challenges and Opportunities in Fiber

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with BSP co-founders David Strauss and Jack Burton to explain the role of technical due diligence in the broadband and digital infrastructure market. The BSP team shares how their firm helps investors, operators, and lenders cut through the noise to evaluate network assets, data centers, and M&A opportunities with confidence.

Hear about the realities behind consolidation trends, open access networks, and the growing importance of infrastructure readiness—from wiring craftsmanship to software integration and future capacity planning. David and Jack also discuss what investors are really looking for, how operators can prepare for an eventual exit, and why sell-side diligence can accelerate deals while reducing risk.

Episode 479: Broadband M&A Insights with Jack Burton and David Strauss

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Earnie Holtrey, Principal Consultant at Mytra Consulting and former Deputy Director of the Indiana Broadband Office, for a conversation about the evolution of state broadband initiatives and the road ahead for BEAD implementation. Earnie shares his journey from rural community development to leading statewide broadband programs, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Indiana built one of the nation’s most successful “Broadband Ready Communities” efforts.

Earnie discusses what true broadband readiness means today, how communities can streamline permitting and collaboration, and the challenges providers face as BEAD funding moves from planning into construction. He explains the growing need for compliance, reporting, and project management support—especially for smaller and regional ISPs navigating federal grant requirements for the first time.

Will BEAD fully close the digital divide? What happens after BEAD funding is spent? And how are state broadband offices evolving from policy hubs into long-term infrastructure program managers? Find out in this episode.

Episode 478: Building Broadband Readiness with Earnie Holtrey of Mytra Consulting

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Jason Thune, Vice President of Fiber Strategy and Deployment at Hawaiian Telcom, to tell all about one of the most ambitious broadband initiatives in the country—making Hawaii the first fully fiber-enabled state. Jason has nearly three decades of experience and manages more than $68 million in federal funding.  He shares what it takes to build and scale a world-class network across one of the most geographically complex environments on earth.

Hear the real-world challenges of deploying fiber across islands shaped by lava flows, rainforests, and extreme elevation changes. Jason highlights the role of partnerships, logistics planning, and technology flexibility in reaching even the most remote communities while maintaining affordability and performance, including statewide multi-gig service offerings.

Jason shares stories of how connectivity is transforming rural communities, enabling telehealth access, supporting education, and fueling local entrepreneurship. This episode goes beyond infrastructure to focus on bridging the digital divide, strengthening communities, and redefining what’s possible for broadband in even the most challenging environments.

Episode 483: Jason Thune on Bringing Fiber to Every Corner of Hawaii

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Steve Smith, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Live Oak Fiber, to discuss how one of the fastest-growing regional fiber networks in the Southeast came to life. With more than 25 years in the telecom industry, Steve shares the journey from consulting and go-to-market strategy to launching a greenfield fiber build backed by major infrastructure investment. What started as a business plan and a small team in 2022 has quickly grown into a network serving tens of thousands of customers across southern Georgia and northern Florida.

Steve explains how Live Oak identified underserved growth markets, built resilient underground fiber infrastructure designed to withstand severe weather, and scaled rapidly to more than 40,000 subscribers and 200,000 homes passed. Brad and Steve discuss how thoughtful market selection, strong operational leadership, and strategic financial partnerships helped Live Oak move from startup to a major regional broadband provider in just a few years.

But the real story goes beyond infrastructure. Steve shares how Live Oak’s “fiercely local” philosophy—engaging with community events, supporting local businesses, and building authentic relationships—has become a key driver of the company’s success. This episode highlights how broadband providers can build both resilient networks and meaningful community impact—featuring stories of hurricane-tested infrastructure and Connect Four showdowns with local students.

Episode 482: Steve Smith on Building Live Oak Fiber and Bringing New Fiber Networks to the Southeast

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, Pete Pizzutillo is joined by David Eckard, Head of Strategy for Fixed Networks at Nokia, and Fred Arnold, Executive Director of Learning Alliance Corporation, for a discussion about AI’s growing impact on broadband infrastructure. Hear how artificial intelligence and even quantum computing are accelerating the need for resilient, high-capacity fiber networks.

David explains how AI “factories” are dramatically increasing fiber interconnect requirements, while Fred highlights real-world use cases like autonomous provisioning, field service analytics, customer experience optimization, and workforce training powered by LLMs. Together, they talk about what terms like LLM, RAG, and inference really mean, and why AI is more than just a chatbot—it’s a tool reshaping operations across the telecom ecosystem.

Also hear more about the Fiber Broadband Association’s AI committee, policy considerations around power and permitting, and what infrastructure leaders should focus on now: education, planning for peak bandwidth, modeling distributed traffic, and preparing networks for agents talking to agents. The message is clear—AI isn’t a trend. It’s a structural shift, and fiber will be at the center of enabling what comes next.

Episode 481: FBA AI Committee Insights with David Eckard and Fred Arnold

Welcome to the Broadband Bunch, a podcast about broadband and how it impacts all of us.  Join us to learn about the state of the industry and the latest innovations and trends. Connect with the thought leaders, pioneers and policymakers helping to shape your future through broadband.

The Broadband Bunch is sponsored by:
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