In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded at Broadband Communities West in San Diego, host Brad Hine sits down with Jonathan Delahoyde, Senior Manager of Fiber-to-the-Premise Deployment Strategy at Hawaiian Telcom. They dive into the unique challenges of deploying broadband across Hawaii’s diverse terrain— from lava fields and rainforests to aging urban infrastructure— and discuss the importance of building future-proof networks. Jonathan also shares insights on funding strategies, transitioning to an all-fiber network, and his own career journey from digging trenches in Tampa to leading broadband expansion in Hawaii. Tune in for an engaging discussion on overcoming deployment obstacles, managing large-scale projects, and the adventure of broadband expansion in one of the most geographically complex regions in the U.S.

Episode 417: Bridging the Pacific: Jonathan Delahoyde on Hawaiian Telcom’s Fiber Expansion

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine speaks with Carter Old, CEO of Lyte Fiber, a Houston-based ISP revolutionizing broadband deployment in Texas. Carter shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including building companies across fiber, satellite, and AI technologies. They explore the evolving broadband landscape, investment challenges, and operational strategies for ISPs, highlighting Lyte Fiber’s launch in Baytown, Texas, and its ambitious expansion plans. Recorded on Veterans Day, the conversation also touches on Carter’s Navy background and its impact on his leadership style.

Episode 410: Building Lyte Fiber: Carter Old on Leadership, Innovation, and the Future of Broadband

In this episode, Brad Hine chats with Barry Walton of Corning—a 40-year broadband veteran—about tackling rural deployment challenges, workforce development, and how Corning is helping connect the unconnected. From stories in the field to insights on permitting, edge data centers, and scalable solutions, this conversation is packed with wisdom and future-focused strategies.

Recorded live at NTCA’s 2025 RTIME Conference in San Antonio.

Episode 420: Fiber in the Field: Lessons from Corning’s Barry Walton

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 sits down with Justin Suhr, Senior Director of Construction Engineering at Great Plains Communications. With over two decades of experience in telecom and a deep background in fiber deployment and outside plant engineering, Justin shares insights on the company’s transformation from a 115-year-old telephone provider into a modern fiber-forward operator.

They dive into the evolution of broadband deployment strategies in the face of paused BEAD funding, the shift toward multi-gigabit services, the role of AI and system integration in field operations, and the importance of digital transformation across construction and customer service. Justin also reflects on his personal journey in the industry, from field engineering to leadership, and how Great Plains is tackling both urban and rural broadband challenges through strategic planning, software integration, and a forward-thinking approach to workforce development.

Episode 441: Justin Suhr of Great Plains Communications on FTTH, AI, and Rural Deployment Challenges

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, recorded live from Fiber Connect 2025, host Brad Hine sits down with Stephen Rose, CEO of Render Networks, for a conversation about the evolving broadband landscape and the role of intelligent infrastructure. Stephen shares his journey from global telecom operations to leading innovation at Render, drawing on past leadership roles at IBM, Nokia, and the Nobel Prize-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

The discussion covers a wide range of topics—from Render's latest industry partnerships with EXFO and VETRO FiberMap, to the impact of AI and automation in fiber network deployment. Stephen emphasizes the need for data transparency, cross-industry collaboration, and scalable software ecosystems to address challenges like labor shortages, cost overruns, and operational inefficiencies.

Listeners will also get insights into Render’s growing influence beyond telecommunications, including electric and utility sectors, and how Render’s platform continues to drive digital transformation even after network builds are complete.

Episode 444: Stephen Rose of Render on Ecosystems, Integration, and Fiber Deployment

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Gene Crusie (CEO and Head Coach), Kevin Bush (Chief Revenue Officer), and Amber Rodriguez (Senior Director of Growth Marketing) from Surf Internet. Together, they share the story behind Surf’s mission to bring future-proof fiber connectivity to underserved communities across the Great Lakes region.

From their early roots as a fixed wireless and dial-up ISP to their bold “Go Big or Go Home” strategy that now fuels their aggressive fiber deployments, the Surf leadership team discusses what it means to lead with integrity, build trust in local communities, and drive measurable impact through public-private partnerships. You’ll hear real stories of lives changed—like a college student able to care for her dying mother thanks to fiber access, and a family saved from job loss through rapid deployment.

The conversation also explores Surf’s approach to BEAD funding uncertainty, their investment in AI-ready networks, and how they maintain top-tier Net Promoter Scores by staying local, transparent, and customer-first.

Episode 453: Mission-Driven Broadband: Lessons from the Surf Internet Team

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo joins Kim Morrison, Vice President of Growth and Customer Delivery, and Ben Poppie, Vice President of OSP, from Circet USA, at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville. Kim and Ben discuss Circet’s transition from KGP Services and how the company is leveraging its European roots to expand its presence and capabilities in the U.S. market.

They reflect on the current state of the fiber industry, including the continued uncertainty surrounding BEAD funding, supply chain volatility, and workforce availability. The conversation highlights how Circet is using AI-driven design tools, developed by their team in Ireland, to create more efficient and cost-effective fiber networks in the U.S. They also touch on the growing importance of integrated services, from network design to operations and maintenance, and the value customers place on turnkey solutions.

As private equity interest in telecom shifts and market conditions evolve, Kim and Ben offer a grounded perspective on how experienced players are navigating challenges, maintaining optimism, and preparing for long-term growth.

Episode 448: Kim Morrison and Ben Poppie on AI-Driven Fiber Deployment and the Future of Circet

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine is joined by returning guest Lori Adams, Vice President of Broadband Policy and Funding Strategy at Nokia, for a conversation on the evolving BEAD landscape. This episode breaks down the June 2025 policy updates that have reset the BEAD program, including revised tech neutrality standards, rescinded grant awards, and a compressed 90-day reapplication window.

Lori shares on-the-ground insight from her travel, highlighting how providers are responding to new “priority broadband project” definitions, what the updated cost-per-location rules mean for fiber, satellite, and fixed wireless proposals, and how Build America, Buy America compliance continues to shape deployment strategies.

This conversation also covers AI infrastructure demands, private equity investment trends, and what the second half of 2025 holds for BEAD recipients and broadband strategy at large.

Episode 449: Lori Adams Breaks Down the Latest BEAD Policy Changes

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.

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New tracks tagged #FiberDeployment