In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Scott Menhart, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Traverse City Light and Power, to discuss the transformation of a traditional electric utility into a broadband provider. Scott shares the journey of deploying fiber infrastructure, overcoming challenges from incumbents, and gaining strong community support for municipal broadband. He also provides insights into customer service, reliability, affordability, and future-proofing networks for the digital age. Tune in to hear how Traverse City Light and Power is bridging the connectivity gap and what’s next for their broadband expansion.

Episode 416: Scott Menhart on Powering Traverse City’s Broadband Future

In this episode, host Brad Hine reports live from the show floor at Connected America 2025 in Irving, Texas. He’s joined by returning guest Brad Randall, editor at Total Telecom and chair of the event. Together, they unpack the energy on the expo floor and dive into the rapidly evolving broadband landscape.

From the political uncertainty surrounding the BEAD program to equity concerns and the future of infrastructure investment, this conversation captures the mood of the industry in real time. They discuss the impact of policy shifts, the challenges federal agencies face under the new administration, and how industry events like Connected America and the upcoming Broadband Communities Summit in Houston play a critical role in uniting stakeholders.

Episode 431: Inside Connected America 2025 with Brad Randall

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live from Connected America 2025, host Brad Hine sits down with Edyn Rolls, Chief Strategic Officer and founding member of the Oklahoma Broadband Office. As a key leader driving the state’s broadband expansion efforts, Edyn shares insights into Oklahoma’s $500 million deployment of ARPA funds, the BEAD subgrantee selection process, and how the state is adapting to shifting federal policies.

They dive into strategies for serving rural and tribal communities, replacing the now-defunct Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and balancing fiber ambitions with real-world terrain challenges. Edyn also opens up about her personal broadband journey—from grant-writing novice to statewide broadband leader—and the passion she brings to ensuring equitable access for every Oklahoman.

Episode 432: Edyn Rolls on Leading Broadband Access in Oklahoma

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine welcomes back a true pioneer in the broadband space—Heather Gold, Principal at HBG Strategies and former President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association. With a career spanning over 40 years across XO Communications, Sprint, ALTS, NTS, and more, Heather shares unparalleled insights into the evolution of broadband, the regulatory landscape, and the current fiber deployment challenges facing the industry.

Recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025, Heather reflects on her time at the helm of the FBA, the genesis of Women in Fiber, and key takeaways from the recent NTIA guidance and its impact on BEAD funding and rural broadband deployment. She also discusses the long-term ROI of fiber over alternative technologies like fixed wireless and LEO satellites, leadership lessons from her executive roles, and her advocacy journey from financial analyst to industry thought leader.

From policy shifts to permitting bottlenecks and workforce gaps, this episode is packed with actionable insights, historical perspective, and candid advice—especially for emerging professionals in the telecom space.

Episode 439: Heather Gold Talks BEAD, Fiber Strategy, and the Path Forward

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025, Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Denise Manka, Vice President of Business Development at MP Nexlevel. Denise shares her journey from the housing industry to telecom construction, and how MP Nexlevel’s deep roots, culture, and national reach set them apart in the broadband landscape.

They discuss the evolving infrastructure needs driven by AI and data center growth, the urgency of disaster preparedness in telecom, and why the industry shouldn’t wait on BEAD funding to take action. Denise also previews MP Nexlevel’s upcoming broadband emergency response initiative, set to debut at Mountain Connect, and calls for smarter fiber builds and more proactive public policy to keep pace with digital demands.

Episode 437: MP Nexlevel's Denise Manka on Telecom Construction, BEAD, and Broadband Preparedness

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Dr. Christopher Ali, the Pioneers Chair in Telecommunications and Associate Professor at Penn State’s Bellisario College of Communications. Recorded live at the CBAN Spring Summit, the conversation explores the evolving landscape of broadband policy and BEAD funding. Dr. Ali offers a grounded perspective on what it will truly take to close the digital divide, emphasizing the need for realistic timelines, long-term infrastructure planning, and a balanced approach that integrates both fiber and wireless technologies. He discusses the vital role of middle-mile infrastructure, particularly the untapped potential of electric cooperatives to deliver broadband to underserved communities. The episode also touches on the importance of digital literacy, affordability, and the dangers of sunset clauses that can undermine ongoing connectivity. Dr. Ali shares insights into his upcoming “Broadband Stories” project, which aims to highlight the human impact of broadband through real-world narratives.

Episode 442: Real Talk on Rural Broadband with Dr. Christopher Ali

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down at WISPA America 2025 in Oklahoma City with Matt Mandel, Vice President of Government Affairs at WISPA. With over two decades of experience navigating Capitol Hill, Matt shares a behind-the-scenes look at broadband policy advocacy, from engaging with Congress and federal agencies to representing the needs of WISPs across the country.

The conversation explores the role of fixed wireless in broadband deployment, the regulatory uncertainty surrounding BEAD funding, and the importance of technology-neutral approaches to closing the digital divide. Matt also offers unique insights into his journey from congressional aide to telecom lobbyist, the fast-paced world of broadband policy, and the power of local, community-based ISPs to transform rural America.

Episode 455: Matt Mandel Explains WISPA’s Role in Shaping Broadband Legislation

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

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New tracks tagged #BEADFunding