In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, Brad Hine speaks with Joseph Le at the San Diego Convention Center during Broadband Communities West. Joe provides insights into Kansas’s broadband programs, including their BEAD initiatives, and shares how eligible entities can apply through their BEAD application portal. Tune in for valuable updates on expanding broadband access and fostering connectivity in Kansas.

Episode 412: Connecting Kansas: Joseph Le discusses Broadband Programs and BEAD Applications

A new edition of Roqe featuring a very funny and engaging full hour interview with beloved Iranian singer-songwriter, Mazyar Fallahi. Mazyar joins Jian in the Roqe Studio for a conversation about everything from how he met his wife, to Pink Floyd, to coming through his sadness, and learning to use English swear words with aplomb! He also performs a new song in the Roqe Hub space. Plus, Jian opens the show with an essay with his theory on how collective trauma has bonded Iranians together in the Diaspora, entitled, “The Connectivity of Iranians Will Never Fade.”

Roqe Ep. 348 - Mazyar Fallahi Returns!, Essay: The Connectivity of Iranians Will Never Fade

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In these series of podcasts EUCAM welcomes guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Guests range from academics to policymakers and from journalists to civil society activists. What is happening in Europe that Central Asians should know about? What events are unfolding in Central Asia that Europeans should understand? Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, and economic turns while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

In this episode, hosts Rashid Gabdulhakov and Kamila Smagulova meet with Niels Drost who is a
research fellow at the Russia and Eastern Europe Centre of Clingendael. He is also one of the coordinators of the REKA network that aims to bring Dutch research communities together withpolicymakers over developments in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The other guest is Jos Boonstra, EUCAM coordinator and senior researcher at CESS. Clingendael and CESS each
published a paper on Europe-Central Asia relations. Clingendael’ s study Central Asia emerging from the shadows outlines Central Asia’s geopolitical landscape and EU-Central Asia relations while the EUCAM policy brief EU-Central Asia connectivity: Using all the pieces discusses the increased European and Central Asian focus on connectivity in building energy, transport and data connections.

A Chat in the Yurt - Episode XIX: Connectivity

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine welcomes Catherine Nicolaou, Broadband Program Manager for the City of Albuquerque. Catherine shares insights into her groundbreaking role as the city’s first broadband manager, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of expanding broadband access in a diverse and rapidly growing region. She discusses Albuquerque’s digital equity initiatives, partnerships with tribal nations, and the city's proactive stance on infrastructure development. Catherine also reflects on her personal journey in the broadband industry, her family's deep ties to rural telecommunications, and the impact of connectivity on communities. Tune in to learn how Albuquerque is setting a new standard for municipal broadband strategy and digital inclusion.

Episode 414: Broadband For All: Catherine Nicolaou on Broadband Equity in Albuquerque

This episode features a brief check-in with Ochuko Ogra, Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer at Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN), sketching Nigeria's digital infrastructure landscape.

Episode overview: 
BCN has over 1,000 km of wholly-owned fibre infrastructure, primarily in the North-Central and North Eastern parts of Nigeria. Citing its stronghold in Northern Nigeria to its expanding national footprint, Ogra shares how BCN is leveraging its two decades of experience in Nigerian telecommunications to drive the country's digital transformation agenda.

Key insights:
- Nigeria currently has 8 subsea cables landing in the country
- The country's 200+ million population presents significant opportunities across retail and enterprise segments in country and to its West African neighbours
- A young, digitally-native population is driving content creation and digital service adoption
- BCN's approach emphasises customer value creation across both enterprise and end-user segments
- The company's strong presence in Northern Nigeria positions it well for national expansion
- Strategic focus encompasses education, healthcare and public sector digitalisation
- Government commitment to digital transformation includes a 92,000km fibre network initiative
- Emphasis on business collaboration over competition in emerging technology integration

Editorial Note: This podcast conversation was recorded at the fringes of NOVACOM Africa 1-to-1 Telco Summit 2024 in Franschhoek, South Africa, where African Tech Roundup's executive producer Andile Masuku attended as an independent media guest. African Tech Roundup maintains complete editorial oversight and is not affiliated with the event organisers.

Image credit: Nova Summits Limited

Ochuko Ogra On Backbone Connectivity Network's (BCN) Nigeria Growth Strategy

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 of The Broadband Bunch, Sachin Gupta, VP of Business & Technology Strategies at CREC/Centranet, discusses the critical need for broadband in tribal communities. He shares insights on the Sac and Fox Nation’s groundbreaking 50Gbps fiber project, rural broadband challenges, and the future of BEAD funding and private investment. Sachin also reflects on his journey into broadband leadership and his selection for the Presidential Leadership Scholar Class of 2025.

Episode 415: Building the Fastest Tribal Network in the World with Sachin Gupta

Warm Springs Telecom's GM Tim York offers an update on the company including future possibilities.

Warm Springs Telecom General Manager Tim York - KWSO Warm Springs Program Podcast

In this episode, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with John Barlow, Director of Strategic Accounts at Consult Red, to explore the evolving broadband landscape. They discuss the shift from speed-focused competition to value-added services, the role of smart routers, and how operators can differentiate and future-proof their offerings. John also shares insights on broadband’s convergence with utilities, the impact of AI, and the launch of his own podcast, Simply Connected.

Episode 418: Broadband Innovation & the Future of Smart Connectivity with John Barlow

DJ Ruckus Connectivity Radio Episode 20! Live Dj Set House /Afro House/ Baile Funk 
Stream & Download Link Here.

DJ Ruckus Connectivity Radio Episode 20

Episode overview: 
In this conversation, South African strategist Wabo Majavu, executive strategy and business operations leader at Africa Data Centres, unpacks how technical expertise at organisations like MTN and Intelsat laid the foundation for her distinctive approach to strategic leadership and digital activism.

From building radar applications at the CSIR to optimising cellular networks through late-night, township-sourced sheep's head dinners with seasoned veteran technicians, Majavu's journey illustrates how hands-on technical experience and savvy adaptation becomes the bedrock of strategic thinking. She discusses navigating workplace discrimination, helping transform organisational culture at state-owned Sentech, and her prescient work in AI before it became a global phenomenon.

Andile Masuku explores with Majavu how strategists shape a company's future direction, the delicate balance between commercial viability and digital inclusion, and her current mission to democratise coding through native African languages.

Key topics:
- From radar systems at CSIR to RF optimisation at MTN: building the technical foundation for strategic leadership
- How experiences at Intelsat shaped her understanding of managed services and market transformation
- The Sentech years: leading digital transformation while learning that culture can eat even the best strategy for breakfast
- Studying AI and signal processing before the global AI boom, and formative educational experiences in Malaysia that shaped future vision
- Strategic stakeholder management: converting union leaders into product managers and building collaborative ecosystems
- Balancing commercial imperatives with digital inclusion through long-term strategic thinking
- Where to start learning AI: practical advice for breaking into the field

Notable points:
1. Majavu's radar applications work at CSIR and cellular network optimisation at MTN provided the technical depth that informs her strategic decision-making today
2. At MTN, she overcame racial barriers by building relationships with Network Operations Centre (NOC) technicians through after-hours learning sessions, bringing sheep's head delicacies from Mamelodi township to earn their trust and knowledge
3. At Sentech, she learned firsthand that "culture can eat strategy for breakfast," successfully converting a well-respected, highly influential union leader into a turnkey product manager spearheading the roll-out of new digital services
4. Majavu studied signal processing and then AI before it became mainstream, building web crawlers and predictive systems
5. Her approach to change management involves understanding each stakeholder's agenda and finding areas of alignment, demonstrated through her successful transformation of adversaries into collaborators

Listen for Majavu's insights on how strategists inform a company's trajectory, why patient capital and technical depth are essential for Africa's digital transformation, and how past experiences become the lens through which strategic leaders view future possibilities.

Image credit: Konecta

Strategy Diaries: Wabo Majavu on Balancing Commercial Success with Digital Inclusion

Episode overview:
Andrew Hall faces a unique challenge: building profitable telecommunications infrastructure across one of Africa's largest countries with one of its smallest populations. As managing director of Paratus Namibia, Hall oversees operations spanning vast distances where traditional business models struggle to pencil out.

Andile Masuku invites Hall to share on the realities of building networks where "you'll see three fibres running next to the road" instead of shared infrastructure, why COVID accelerated their consumer business, and how recent oil discoveries are reshaping Namibia's economic landscape.

Key insights:
- On geographic challenges: Namibia's vast distances and sparse population create unique infrastructure economics where covering remote areas requires careful return-on-investment calculations across extended payback periods.
- On competitive landscape: Operating alongside two state-owned enterprises creates complex market dynamics where regulatory considerations and different organisational mandates influence infrastructure deployment strategies.
- On infrastructure sharing: Despite logical benefits, competitive dynamics often result in duplicated infrastructure: "three towers standing next to each other" rather than collaborative deployment approaches.
- On consumer versus enterprise: Traditional enterprise focus (75% of business) provided stability, but consumer growth since 2016 now drives expansion, particularly accelerated during COVID-19 periods.
- On technology transitions: Moving from WiMAX limitations (4-10 Mbps) to fibre required strategic timing; balancing asset sweating against customer retention as bandwidth demands increased around 2018.

Notable moments:
1. Hall's description of infrastructure redundancy: "If you drive down the road, you'll see three fibres running next to the road. If you're driving from one town to the other, you'll see two or three towers standing next to each other"
2. The COVID-19 catalyst: Consumer business performed "very, very well" as people became "100% reliant, work-wise, education-wise, entertainment-wise on connectivity"
3. Recent oil discoveries creating positive economic outlook with increased foreign investment interest and improved business confidence

The development question:
Hall addresses the expectation that telecoms should "unlock growth economically for an entire nation" by emphasising education as the foundation. Paratus's corporate social responsibility focuses on educational sector connectivity because "for children to have access to the internet, it makes the world a lot smaller."

His perspective reflects broader African infrastructure challenges: balancing commercial sustainability with development impact, managing investor expectations whilst serving diverse stakeholder needs, and building institutional capacity in environments with limited technical specialisation.

"I think access to the internet plays a crucial role. And I think it starts at grass root level in the form of education... for children to have access to the internet, it makes the world a lot smaller."

Image credit: Paratus Namibia

Andrew Hall of Paratus Namibia: Building Networks Serving Small Populations Across Vast Distances

Whatever about my song... As promised in the poem track here is a person who can potentially help you change your life 🫶🏽

Meet Gabor Maté

https://youtu.be/66cYcSak6nE?si=1hnPhfgdqEhheE34


Also 🌈

Listen to Rainbows & Dreams by No killie fish on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/6zxTUha3vdmkgVmdaZ

Please feast your ears on my fellow country man Johnny. What a ball of positive love Johnny is. We just connected last week but this will be a permanent ear rabbit hole. Well worth connecting to this Irish man.
I got distracted half way through these lyrics and got poked with that song and that's where the rainbow in us reference came from so thanks my friend 🫡🫶🏽🔆


Song Pic
This was my breaky this morning. We call it eggs and soldiers. We luckily regularly had it as kids. So boil an egg for 4 mins so it's soft boiled and then cut strips of buttered toast and dip them in the egg. it's so amazing. I had forgotten about it for about 30 years and a couple of years ago it roared back when I gave it to my kids which they now love. A yummy breakfast indeed 🫡😊🌍 Thanks Chickens and Bread and Cows and well you get the jist... for keeping me ALIVE 👌🏾

Then the most important part of the song was delivered by a very close friend that needed help so the BE lyrics were born from me wanting to send them all the healing power I could as they needed it. So thanks for that and I hope you're all good 🫶🏽♾️

For the record I ain't no healer but I believe good intention is the way forward for us all so 🤷🏾‍♂️ Just keeping it pure and real where possible 

I do have a hunch though that pure intention holds way more power then science currently knows or considers and accepts. Just a hunch I don't get too hung up on it and I think that's part of keeping intention clear.

Think it, feel it, send it and forget it... The forget it is important because you don't allow your ego attach worry to it then which may warp the projection of your good intentions

Now, the next day, Beating Edge just sent me a version as a thank you for thinking about them yesterday and I popped some vocal on it. Guys, thats amazing and pure instinctual musicianship right there. Well done

https://soundcloud.com/beatingedge
Connect with Beating Edge here

Lyrics

Miracle me
Miracle you
Born to Earth of Sun lightened new
We talk to spirit
Eight billion versions
We speak to all
Talk soul emersions

Heaters
Lights
Love all life's
Rainbow vessels
Intent finds bright
Shine these hues on all our colours
Intelligence tuned
Floodlights of fullest

You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes
BE strong
BE wise
Source love
BE hive
You're alive
You're the prize
Prove proof with your eyes

Radiant potential to soothe your nerve
Guide with word, paint, musical verve
Verse for you written by any
Matter is made for reference of many

Worth to live on past it's creator
Love evolutionary thought from a maker
Manifest zest to seed good behaviour
Survival of fittest makes you gene saviour

You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes
BE strong
BE wise
Source love
BE hive
You're alive
You're the prize
Prove proof with your eyes

Savour this life
We suffer
We live
Savour the strife
Good reference to give
Transmute the evil
Dark poisoned with light
Here, have a moment with eternal might

We know it's hard
But we are alive
Those difficult feelings challenge our hive
You're worth the pain
We are all g.o.a.t
Keep steady your ship
Life is your boat

You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes
BE strong
BE wise
Source love
BE hive
You're alive
You're the prize
Prune proof with your eyes

You're Alive
The proof is in your eyes
You're Alive

Alive

The Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint analyses the gaps behind the digital divide—spanning infrastructure, affordability, skills, and policy—to estimate that achieving universal, meaningful connectivity will require $2.6 to $2.8 trillion in investment, including $1.5 to $1.7 trillion for infrastructure and nearly $1 trillion to improve affordability.
 
In this edition of ITU Technologized, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin discusses the human side of those numbers and shares how the report can be put into practice in country-level planning to accelerate digital progress for the one-third of humanity currently offline.

Interviewer: Maximillian Jacobson-Gonzalez

For further information please visit: http://www.itu.int

ITU Technologized: Connecting Humanity - interview with the ITU SG

Today, we are joined by Chris Watson, vice president of marketing and communications at KVH Industries. We’ll be talking about how KVH’s connectivity solutions—like TracNet, AgilePlans, and hybrid systems integrating Starlink—are shaping the future of maritime communications, crew wellbeing, and cybersecurity at sea.

Connected at Sea: KVH on the Future of Maritime Communications

Hello, I'm Winston Graves, and I share new ways to approach travel and technology. Today, I want to talk about eSIMs. This is the best solution for international travelers. It helps you avoid the stress of roaming charges or physical SIM cards. If you want to learn more about travel connectivity, you can visit my website. https://phonico.com/

eSIMs for International Travel

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

Breaking out of commodity selling is now a leadership challenge - not a pricing one. In this episode, we explore how modern sales teams reframe connectivity from a cost line item into a mission-critical value driver across the Internet of Things (IoT).

🔗 Explore more insights: www.globalperformancegroup.com

Timestamps
00:00 – Why connectivity is no longer “just a commodity” in IoT
03:45 – Reframing from gigabytes to business outcomes
07:20 – Sales leadership behaviors that break commodity selling
12:40 – Global scalability, connectivity, and long-term value
18:10 – Incentives, culture, and leadership accountability
24:30 – The top traits of elite sellers in modern IoT markets

The future of B2B selling belongs to those who can shift the conversation from features to impact. In this episode, Harry Kendlbacher sits down with Benjamin Bastians, Chief Commercial Officer at Deutsche Telekom IoT, to unpack how global sales teams can transform the way they sell connectivity, create customer outcomes, and build a culture that scales.

You’ll learn:
– How salespeople reframe connectivity from commodity to value
– Why incentives, coaching, and culture drive real behavior change
– How global collaboration strengthens enterprise IoT deals
– The top traits elite sales professionals need right now

💡 Key Takeaways
• Connectivity becomes mission-critical in IoT - but only if sellers position it that way.
• Sales leadership must model outcome-based conversations, not technical specs.
• Incentives shape culture: you can’t expect new behavior with old compensation.
• Collaboration across global teams is now a core sales advantage.
• Curiosity, resilience, and an ecosystem mindset define elite sellers today.

📘 About Guest
Benjamin Bastians is the Chief Commercial Officer at Deutsche Telekom IoT (DTIoT), leading global sales for one of the world’s most advanced connectivity organizations. Known for transforming how teams sell mission-critical IoT solutions, he focuses on outcome-based engagement, global scale, and cross-team collaboration.
Connect with Benjamin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminbastians/

If this episode sparked new thinking, share it with your team.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly insights on modern selling, leadership, and performance.
🔗 Explore more at www.globalperformancegroup.com

81. IoT: Breaking Out of Commodity Selling

I wrote this song about the linking of two individuals who, as a result of an invisible (red-thread) link since time immemorial, means that they were always destined to cross paths at some point in their lives. Part of Chinese folklore, this East Asian belief is that an invisible red cord connects those who are destined to be together and that it cannot be broken along the way.

Red Thread Connection

Established in 2008 by FRIDE as a project seeking to monitor the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, EUCAM has grown into a knowledge hub on broader Europe-Central Asia relations. With CESS guidance and cooperation EUCAM will seek to continue to raise the profile of European-Central Asian relations in general, and more specifically to:

- Critically, though constructively, scrutinize European policies towards Central Asia;
- Enhance knowledge of European engagement with Central Asia through top-quality research;
- Raise awareness of the importance of Central Asia and Europe’s engagement, as well as discuss European policies among Central Asian communities;
- Expand the network of experts and institutions from Europe and Central Asia and provide a forum for debate.

Dj Ruckus Official! House/ Afro House/ AMA - Piano
Somewhere Djing a Party that is very hard to get in to!

Africa-focused technology, digital and innovation ecosystem insight and commentary.

Tech-savvy traveler exploring the world one step at a time. I'm all about smart and seamless connectivity solutions.

I sing and play my own songs and as a seasoned musician, I have performed regularly over time in bands, in a trio and as part of a duo. I have also performed as a solo artist. These days I am content to hear my songs on Deepstuff Radio, and on a number of other radio stations here and abroad. But that performing bug never goes away!!

KWSO 91.9 FM is a non-commercial community radio station owned and operated by The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon.

ITU: Committed to connecting the world
www.itu.int.

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of some 900 private sector entities and academic institutions. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world.

The materials contained on this podcast channel are for information purposes only. ITU expressly disclaims all liability to any person in respect of anything and in respect of the consequences of anything said or omitted to be said wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this podcast channel. ITU is not responsible for any third party content which may be accessed through this podcast channel. ITU interviews and soundbites may be edited for content and duration. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the ITU. 

ITU holds copyright in the information available on this podcast channel, unless otherwise stated. Copyright in any third-party materials found on this podcast channel must also be respected.

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:
ETI Software:  www.etisoftware.com
VETRO: www.vetrofibermap.com

Conversations from, to, and about the Iranian diaspora.

Roqe is hosted by Jian Ghomeshi.

Howdy,

Welcome to TBD.

Wow. What a place we have here. Yes we've been invaded by shitty AI music & tools which I am strongly against the use of at all until it's regulated and labelled properly but that said... SoundCloud is still Aaaaaamazing. We can weed out the messers and with a small web of genuine artists it is incredibly inspiring. Don't lose faith in your art because of the influx of fake, we need artists to shine through and continue saving and evolving artistic work and freedom. Just keep shining your real music. I have seen NOTHING yet that challenges a real artists creativity from AI or it's prompters. If anything it just confirms the path I took was worth it and is the only way to the full therapeutical effect music and writing can deliver your being!

You just need to PRACTICE a lot!

All these creations are made by hard work and years upon years upon years of practice and trying to explain this world and the human condition to myself in the process through poems & songs.

Thanks for all of your wonderful support.

Peace and Love to Everyone,

🫛



What playing music does to your brain🔽

https://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng?si=KJt33NWjUo63ieAm



A nice David Bowie Interview🔽

https://youtu.be/JRtZc_Nmo5w?si=1g1Wag87NdEumAc4


This podcast is dedicated to sales leaders in the B2B space, where we share conversations about innovative and successful sales transformations to keep you up to date on the latest trends that will help you to effectively tackle the challenge of constructing and executing a profitable and sustainable sales process.

New tracks tagged #connectivity