FFB Episode 244 - From Data to Deployment: Powering Smarter Broadband Decisions
Discover how granular location and coverage data is transforming broadband deployment knowledge, funding planning and deployment strategies. Powered by tools like historical coverage data via CostQuest’s Time Series Dashboard and Broadband in America report, stakeholders now have unprecedented visibility into broadband availability and buildout trends for fiber and broadband technologies. This clarity enables both public and private entities to precisely target resources—time, capital, and infrastructure—toward markets that align with strategic goals.
Join us for the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton, FBA’s President & CEO to hear from Jim Stegeman, CEO CostQuest on how CostQuest’s Fabric location level data along with the FCC’s Broadband Coverage data allow entities to identify build out trends and reveal true coverage gaps and create effective public and private funding strategies.
With Special Guest:
Jim Stegeman, CEO CostQuest
--------
32:51
--------
32:51
FFB Episode 243 - Fiber Slicing: Unlocking a More Open, Customized, and Secure Experience
Network slicing is emerging as one of the most promising developments in broadband. By enabling real-time customization at the network level, slicing could allow customers to prioritize performance for specific needs—whether that’s streaming, gaming, remote work, or even short-lived secure connections for activities like online banking.
But how close is this concept to reality, and what does it mean for providers and the broader industry? In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Nick Saporito, Head of Product at GFiber Labs, joins FBA President & CEO Gary Bolton to unpack the potential of network slicing, the role automation will play, and the steps needed before it can be widely deployed.
With Special Guest:
Nick Saporito, Head of Product at GFiber Labs
--------
30:29
--------
30:29
FFB Episode 242 - Best Practices When Dealing with BEAD Complexities
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program promises to transform connectivity in underserved communities — but securing funding has been anything but simple. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Bree Maki, Director of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share real-world challenges and best practices for navigating BEAD. From financing hurdles and Build America Buy America (BABA) compliance to permitting delays, pole access, workforce pressures, and shifting federal guidance, they break down the complexities providers face — and how the industry is adapting.
With Special Guest:
Bree Maki, Director of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development
--------
29:42
--------
29:42
FFB Episode 241 – Grading American Broadband: Findings of the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure
As work, commerce, and society move online, reliable internet access has become essential. In 2000, only 1% of U.S. adults had home broadband, compared to 80% today. Without faster speeds and higher adoption, the U.S. would have lost $1.3 trillion in economic growth from 2010–2020. Since 1996, the private sector has invested $2.2 trillion in broadband infrastructure, with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act adding $65 billion in federal funds. Still, 10% of households (12.7 million) lack a broadband subscription. New investments aim to close this gap, but extreme weather and rapidly evolving technologies pose ongoing challenges.
On our next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, join us as Ed Barrett, President of HR Green’s Broadband Business Unit talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and covers the latest broadband report card grade published by the American Society of Civil Engineers and covers important areas of research on broadband capacity, materials cost for last-mile broadband deployment methods, funding, operations and maintenance and more.
*Telecom Advisory Services, “The Contribution of Fixed Broadband to the Economic Growth of the United States between 2010 and 2020,” 2022
With Special Guest:
Ed Barrett, President of HR Green’s Broadband Business Unit
--------
29:41
--------
29:41
FFB Episode 240 - Fixed Wireless & Fiber - A Winning Combination for Nextlink
Delivering high-speed internet and voice services throughout the midwest, Nextlink Internet has experienced radical, organic growth over the past decade and has become the one of the largest wireless internet service providers in the nation. Nextlink differentiates itself based on an obsession with great customer service, whether the service is provided with wireless or fiber. Nextlink maintains redundancy and reliability by ensuring even in highly rural areas that it utilizes multiple wireless backhaul connections on licensed links, and has a healthy amount of fiber in its diet across its footprint.
Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association about Nextlink’s expansion projects, recent deployments and its collaborative efforts with the Seward County Chamber of Commerce as they recently announced the grand opening of the county’s first Digital Empowerment Center.
The Fiber Broadband Association provides advocacy, education and resources to companies, organizations and communities who want to deploy the best networks through fiber to the home, fiber to the business and fiber everywhere. Get Association updates and Fiber for Breakfast The Fiber Broadband Association's weekly 30-minute live video discussion hosted by our President and CEO, Gary Bolton, and featuring industry thought leaders on current topics that explore fiber as the critical infrastructure for 21st century communications as well as other connectivity and workplace issues presented during these challenging times.
Ireland