In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Roger Timmerman, Executive Director of UTOPIA Fiber, for a deep dive into what it takes to build fast, reliable, and community-focused broadband networks.

They begin with a closer look at a recent Ookla report and what it reveals about network performance, unpacking why latency matters more than most people realize and how UTOPIA’s open access, active ethernet model delivers a different kind of Internet experience. Along the way, they explore how common industry metrics can miss the full picture, especially when it comes to publicly owned, multi-provider networks.

The conversation then turns to UTOPIA’s origin story and evolution. Roger reflects on the early challenges, from technical missteps to political opposition, and how the network was rebuilt into one of the most successful municipal fiber systems in the country. He shares his own journey from engineer to CEO, including why he left for the private sector and what ultimately brought him back to public infrastructure work.

From there, the discussion broadens to the role of municipal broadband in today’s landscape. Chris and Roger examine the limitations of federal funding programs, the gaps facing small and mid-sized cities, and why communities across the country are still seeking better options. They make the case that broadband should be treated as essential infrastructure, not just a private commodity, and that local investment can deliver long-term economic and social benefits.

The episode closes with a wide-ranging conversation on the future of technology, from AI and automation to data centers and resource constraints. It’s an honest look at both the promise and the risks of rapid technological change, and a reminder that how we build and govern our networks will shape who benefits from what comes next.

This show is 52 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined again by longtime guest Blair Levin for a conversation that spans decades, from the origins of modern Internet policy to the uncertain future shaped by artificial intelligence.

They begin by revisiting the legacy of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the lesser-known policy decisions that helped shape today’s communications landscape, including spectrum auctions, number portability, and the push to make wireless a mass-market service. 

Along the way, Blair offers a candid look at what policymakers got right, what they got wrong, and how technocratic decisions quietly transformed competition and access.

From there, the conversation turns toward the future. As AI rapidly reshapes the economy, Chris and Blair explore what role the Federal Communications Commission should play in an AI-driven world and whether it is equipped to do so. 

They discuss the need for better data, long-term thinking, and a renewed focus on the public good in policymaking.

But this episode goes beyond infrastructure and regulation. In the closing segment, the discussion shifts to trust, power, and civic responsibility, reflecting on recent community actions in Minneapolis as an example of collective courage and local solidarity. 

It’s a reminder that while technology and policy matter, the choices people make for one another may matter even more.

This show is 70 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Bob Frankston, a pioneer in home networking and co-creator of VisiCalc, to explore the evolution of Internet infrastructure.

Frankston challenges the conventional understanding of networking, arguing that the Internet should be treated as a public utility rather than a commodity. He reflects on the origins of home networking, the rise of broadband, and why the current telecommunications model is fundamentally broken.

Frankston advocates for a future where connectivity is treated like roads and sidewalks—open, abundant, and community-owned.

Tune in for a deep dive into how shifting the business model of broadband could unlock new opportunities for innovation and resilience.  

This show is 47 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with Mayor Tim Rosener and IT Director Brad Crawford of Sherwood, Oregon, about the city’s journey in building a community-owned broadband network. 

They discuss Sherwood's unique approach to expanding fiber access, how they’ve leveraged Urban Renewal funding to support the network’s growth, and their commitment to keeping service affordable for residents. 

The conversation highlights the importance of local control, the economic benefits of broadband investment, and Sherwood’s expansion into surrounding rural areas. 

Tune in to hear how Sherwood is proving that community broadband can be both cost-effective and high quality, all while prioritizing local service and support.

This show is 22 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris sits down with Representative Kelly Kortum of Montana to discuss his efforts to repeal a law that restricts municipal broadband networks in the state. Drawing on his personal experience growing up in a small Montana town with limited Internet access, Representative Kortum shares how his passion for technology has shaped his advocacy for better broadband for rural communities.  

The conversation explores Montana’s existing barriers to broadband expansion, including outdated legislation favoring incumbent cable companies and the impact of federal funding programs like ARPA and BEAD. Representative Kortum highlights the critical role cooperatives and nonprofits, like Yellowstone Fiber in Bozeman, play in bridging the digital divide. Together, they emphasize the importance of local control in infrastructure development and the broader implications of equitable broadband access for innovation and economic growth.  

Tune in to learn how one legislator is working tirelessly to empower small towns across Montana with faster, affordable Internet and to challenge corporate control of connectivity.

This show is 17 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Ry Marcattilio and Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEK Broadband, to discuss the evolving landscape of community broadband in Vermont. They explore the transformative merger of NEK Broadband and CVFiber, now covering 71 towns, and the innovative ways the organization is bridging connectivity gaps in one of the most rural and economically challenged areas of the state.

The conversation highlights NEK’s strides in workforce development, with local job training programs for broadband installation and maintenance, as well as partnerships with the Vermont Community Broadband Board and state funding efforts that have secured over $100 million in grants. Christa shares the importance of affordability programs like the NEK Digital Equity Pilot to sustain connectivity for low-income residents following the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

This show is 30 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris sits down with Christy Batts, Chief Broadband Officer at CDE Lightband, and Amanda Cherry, Customer Experience Supervisor, to explore the exciting developments in Clarksville's municipal broadband network. They discuss the town's transition from Active Ethernet to XGS-PON, a significant upgrade that promises multi-gigabit symmetrical speeds and increased efficiency. 

Christy and Amanda share insights into the challenges of upgrading 30,000 customers while maintaining high service standards and the ongoing efforts to future-proof Clarksville's network. They also delve into the unique aspects of operating in a military town, the importance of underground infrastructure in new developments, and the innovative use of AI for customer service training. 

Tune in to learn how Clarksville is setting a new standard for municipal broadband and ensuring a robust, reliable service for years to come.

This show is 32 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with Stephanie Becken, the Broadband Manager for the City of Superior, Wisconsin. Stephanie shares her journey from moving to Superior to becoming a key figure in the Connect Superior initiative, a project aimed at improving broadband access in the city and surrounding areas.

They discuss the unique qualities of Superior, a city of 26,000 people located on the shores of Lake Superior, and the challenges and opportunities that come with expanding broadband in a region with such a large footprint. Stephanie explains the phased approach to building an open access fiber network, the city's recent formation of a broadband utility, and the collaboration with local and regional service providers.

The conversation also touches on the importance of connectivity for local businesses, residents, and essential services, and the excitement surrounding the initial phase of fiber installation. Stephanie expresses her enthusiasm for the project's potential to transform the community and looks forward to a future where reliable, high-quality internet is the norm for all Superior residents.

Tune in to hear more about this inspiring local initiative and the drive to bring top-notch connectivity to the people of Superior.

This show is 24 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with Eric Sasaki, Manager of Major Programs for the Internal Services Department at the County of Los Angeles. They delve into the ambitious efforts by Los Angeles County to address digital equity and broadband access for its diverse and populous communities. 

Eric shares insights on the county's vision for solving the digital divide, highlighting the historical context of infrastructure investments, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategic use of federal funding from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. 

The discussion covers the county's innovative approaches, including the deployment of community wireless networks and the importance of public-private partnerships. Eric also emphasizes the county's commitment to affordability, multilingual support, and collaboration with cities and community-based organizations. 

Tune in to learn about the significant strides being made to ensure quality, affordable internet access for all residents of Los Angeles County.

This show is 38 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gigi Sohn, Executive Director at the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB), and Bill Coleman from the Benton Institute and Community Technology Advisors. The discussion centers on the importance of community-controlled broadband networks and the recent initiatives by AAPB to promote and defend these networks.

They discuss the challenges and benefits of building public broadband networks, the role of community support and leadership, and the varied models and paths communities can take to establish their own networks. 

The guests also highlight successful case studies, discuss the significance of public ownership in ensuring equitable access and local control, and emphasize the need for robust community engagement and education.

The episode also explores the increasing enthusiasm and commitment to public broadband initiatives and offers valuable advice on strategic planning and the leverage communities have in negotiating with incumbents.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the strategic, financial, and social considerations involved in establishing community broadband networks and the transformative impact these networks can have on local communities.

You can find the "Own Your Internet: How to Build a Public Broadband Network" handbook here.

This show is 39 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license