In this first episode of the new year, Chris sits down with John Farrell, Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Director of the Energy Democracy Initiative, to explore the intersections of telecommunications and energy policy.

They discuss the historical and ongoing impact of monopolies in these sectors, the challenges posed by regulatory frameworks, and how technological advancements like solar power and batteries are reshaping local power generation. Together, they unpack the parallels between broadband and electricity—touching on customer experiences, infrastructure investment, and the unintended consequences of scale.

This conversation dives deep into the incentives shaping utilities, the potential for community-driven solutions, and the urgency of adapting systems to modern challenges like climate change and peak demand. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue about breaking down barriers to innovation and building a more resilient, equitable future for energy and Internet access.

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

In this special year-end episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by CBN colleagues Christine Parker, Sean Gonsalves, Jessica Auer, and Ry Marcattilio for a lively review of 2024’s broadband highlights and challenges. The team revisits their predictions from the past year, covering everything from BEAD implementation delays and ACP’s demise to the persistent issues with broadband mapping and public-private partnerships.

The conversation dives into successes, like Vermont’s community-driven broadband efforts and local workforce training programs, while tackling concerns about federal inaction and affordability programs. Tune in for thoughtful reflections, friendly debates, and insights on what lies ahead for community broadband.

This show is 53 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 is joined by Gene Kimmelman, Senior Policy Fellow at the Tobin Center for Economic Policy and veteran advocate for consumer protection. Gene shares insights from his decades-long career, including his work on the 1992 Cable Act and his efforts to challenge monopolies in the telecommunications industry.

The conversation spans the historical challenges of cable deregulation in the 1980s, the role of local governments, and the impact of rising prices on consumers. Gene reflects on the evolution of consumer advocacy, the lack of regulatory frameworks for broadband affordability, and the broader implications of deregulation in today’s Internet-driven society.

This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of telecommunications policy and the ongoing struggle for affordable, equitable access to essential services.

This show is 40 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 interviews Steven John, Chair of the governing board of DV Fiber, Vermont’s Deerfield Valley Communications Union District. They discuss Vermont's innovative approach to broadband access through Communications Union Districts (CUDs)—municipally led collaborations designed to provide universal, high-speed Internet. Steven highlights the unique challenges of delivering fiber to Vermont's rural communities, including navigating tough terrain, limited labor resources, and old infrastructure.

They explore the success of DV Fiber, which has connected hundreds of customers while adhering to a mission of affordability and accessibility. Topics include partnerships with local companies, lessons learned from electrification history, the resilience of fiber networks, and strategies for overcoming competitive pressures. This conversation provides a valuable look at how public governance and private expertise can merge to achieve universal broadband, even in the most challenging areas.

This show is 33 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 reconnects with Jose Pena, IT Director for the City of Pharr, Texas. They discuss Pharr's remarkable journey in building a municipal fiber network that delivers affordable and reliable Internet access to all residents and businesses in the city, including underserved and rural areas.

Jose highlights Pharr’s successful partnerships with the local school district, their innovative use of funding sources such as rescue plan dollars, and the community impact of providing high-speed Internet at a fraction of traditional costs. Learn how Pharr has achieved an impressive 50% take rate in just two years, saving residents millions annually and helping bridge the digital divide.

The conversation also delves into the city's digital equity initiatives, including home visits by digital navigators, free cybersecurity tools, and digital literacy training programs that come with free laptops. Jose also shares insights about their plans to expand connectivity to apartment complexes and businesses, as well as their forward-thinking internship program for local high school students. 

This episode is a testament to what municipalities can achieve in creating accessible, community-centered broadband networks.

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 Mitchell speaks with Andy Schwartzman, Senior Counselor at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, about pressing legal issues affecting telecommunications policy in the U.S. Schwartzman, with decades of experience in media and telecom law, discusses the shifting landscape following recent Supreme Court decisions that limit regulatory agency powers. 

They explain the implications of the Major Questions Doctrine and the end of the Chevron Doctrine for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), particularly how these changes impact the agency’s authority to support broadband access through the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Title II regulations.

The conversation also covers the FCC's policy on Wi-Fi for school buses, facing legal challenges due to the narrowed definition of "classroom." Schwartzman provides insights into the FCC's efforts to classify broadband under Title II, emphasizing how critical this designation is for public safety, cybersecurity, and broadband deployment through infrastructure like utility pole attachments. 

As Schwartzman explains, these legal battles highlight the complex intersections of telecommunications law, regulatory authority, and the broader challenges of fostering universal Internet access in a polarized political environment.

This show is 44 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 Christina Burns, Kendall County Administrator, and Zach Bachmann, a board member and Chair of the Connect Kendall County Commission. They delve into Kendall County's ambitious infrastructure project aimed at expanding Internet connectivity across its diverse landscape, which ranges from suburban hubs to rural farmlands.

Christina and Zach discuss the county's strategic approach to building a comprehensive broadband network. This initiative, driven by public need and supported by a $15 million state grant and revenue bonds, will be managed by the newly formed non-profit, Fox Fiber, in partnership with Pivot-Tech. They share insights into the challenges and innovations involved, including public-private partnerships, community engagement, and sustainable financial strategies to ensure the network serves both densely populated and rural areas effectively.

The episode highlights the county's commitment to economic development, educational opportunities, and public service while ensuring that every resident, from urban centers to isolated communities, benefits from improved Internet access. The conversation underscores the collaborative spirit and strategic planning necessary for public broadband projects to succeed, illustrating how Kendall County’s model could inspire similar initiatives nationwide.

This show is 34 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, Christopher Mitchell is joined by freelance reporter Karl Bode to discuss pressing broadband issues, including the practicality and limitations of Starlink for rural areas, challenges with current broadband policy, and the ongoing efforts to ensure affordable access. 

They explore the impact of recent political discussions on broadband funding, misunderstandings around satellite Internet’s role in rural connectivity, and why affordability remains a crucial barrier. They also delve into FCC initiatives, such as the investigation of data caps and new broadband “nutrition labels,” aimed at transparency in pricing and services. 

Their conversation underscores the importance of consumer-centric policies and the need for regulatory action to break monopolistic control in the broadband market.

This show is 42 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 special episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Gigi Sohn, Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB). Originally aired last summer, they discuss the crucial role of state and local governments in broadband policy, efforts to grow community broadband networks across the U.S., and the ongoing challenges these networks face from incumbents and dark money groups.

Gigi also shares insights into her work with Benton, where she helps build coalitions in Missouri, Arizona, and Pennsylvania to ensure effective use of broadband funding. Additionally, the conversation highlights AAPB’s mission to double the number of municipal broadband networks in five years and the importance of defending these networks from attacks like those in Bountiful, Utah.

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