Broadband Action

On October 15, the Fifth Circuit held in Consumers’ Research v. FCC that the Commission violated the Government Corporation Control Act by establishing USAC without specific congressional authorization. The three-judge panel was unanimous. It vacated the contribution rate for the fourth quarter of 2025 and sent the matter back to the agency. What is the impact of the ruling on the agency that administer's the USF on behalf of the FCC? Curtis chats with Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting and Christpher Mitchell with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance on what it means and what's next.

You've successfully launched your start-up broadband system, or you've completed your expansion into a new market. What's next? In this edition of Broadband Action, Curtis Dean chats with Shirley Bloomfield, former CEO of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, who shares her insights on what companies can do to keep improving operations beyond the build.Shirley can be reached at shirleyconnected@outlook.com

Curtis Dean with CBAN chats with Laura Lewis and David Robertsons, two of the principals at LRB Public Finance Advisors, a CBAN Associate Member. The two discuss how public broadband networks are financed and challenges the process presents.

Visit their website to learn more.

https://lrbfinance.com

Recorded during a session at Broadband Communities Summit in Houston on August 25, 2025, CBAN's Curtis Dean moderates a panel discussion on the challenges in operating an open access network. Panelists: Jeff Irwin, Utopia Fiber; David Chile, Anthem Broaband; and Ariane Schmidt, Spokane Retional Broadband Development Authority (Broadlinc).

Digital C is Cleveland's own nonprofit internet provider, built to reach the roughly one in three Cleveland households that traditional ISPs left behind. In this episode, host Curtis Dean talks with CEO Josh Edmonds about how Digital C uses a hybrid wireless-fiber network — rooftop radios beaming connectivity across the city — to deploy service in months instead of the decade a traditional fiber build can take. They cover the $18-a-month Canopy internet service, the Click digital skills program, and how Digital C's locally-owned model is now expanding beyond Cleveland into Detroit. It's a look at what community-driven broadband can do when a city hands the keys to a local provider instead of a national one.

CBAN's Curtis Dean recaps his experience at Fiber Connect 2026, presented by the Fiber Broadband Association.

What's new, what's next, and why Denver should be on every community broadband operator's calendarCurtis Dean sits down with Mountain Connect CEO Jeff Gavlinski for an inside look at one of the broadband industry's most anticipated annual gatherings. As the Mountain Connect conference prepares to welcome attendees to Denver, Jeff joins the show to pull back the curtain on what's in store — from session programming and keynote highlights to the new features and enhancements the Mountain Connect team has built specifically with attendees and sponsors in mind.

CBAN's Curtis Dean and Jon Willow chat with Mark Colwell, Executive Director of Mission Telecom. Mission Telecom provides low-cost 5G internet to nonprofits, schools, and libraries to help them close the digital divide.

As BEAD dollars begin to flow, and BEAD-funded projects begin construction, what impact will it have on the supply chain? Curtis Dean with CBAN discusses the challenges posed by BEAD with Ashley Travers with KGPCo and Lori Adams with Nokia.

In this episode of Broadband Action recorded at Connected America, we sit down with Catherine Krantz of Communities Unlimited to explore the essential role of technical assistance in closing the digital divide. Catherine dives into the organization’s mission to support communities facing significant broadband challenges, offering a roadmap for those who lack the resources to navigate complex infrastructure projects alone. From initial planning to overcoming technical roadblocks, we discuss how local leadership combined with expert guidance can transform a community’s digital future. Whether you are a small-town official or a local advocate, this conversation highlights the practical steps and collaborative spirit required to ensure no community is left offline.Communities Unlimited website: https://communitiesu.orgCatherine Krantz email: Catherine.Krantz@communitiesu.org

Host Curtis Dean chats with three of the headlining speakers at the 2026 Spring Summit.--Gary Bolton, Fiber Broadband Association--Ryan Mulhall, Iowa Communications Network--Brent Legg, Connected NationJoin us April 1-3, 2026 in Ames, Iowa! https://broadbandaction.com/cban-events/cban-2026-spring-summit/

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 turns 30 years old this year. To "celebrate", CBAN talks with Sean Stokes of Keller & Heckman LLP about the origins of the Act, how it's working, and what changes are needed in today's telecommunications environment.

https://www.khlaw.com

Doug Dawson with CCG Consulting joins Curtis Dean and Jon Willow to discuss what he believes are the top 5 "turkeys" of the year in the broadband industry. Doug blogs daily at https://potsandpansbyccg.com. His "Turkey Awards" are available at https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2025/12/08/broadband-turkeys-of-2025/

BEAD is putting a lot of broadband eggs in one high-flying basket - low earth orbit satellite internet. In this edition of Broadband Action, CBAN's Curtis Dean chats with Glenn Fishbine of Breaking Point Solutions about whether LEO can deliver.

It's a holiday tradition at CBAN! Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting reveals his broadband predictions for 2026 to CBAN's Jon Willow and Curtis Dean. https://potsandpansbyccg.com

In 2010, Chattanooga's municipal utility EPB made a controversial $396 million bet on citywide fiber infrastructure. Fifteen years later, economist Dr. Bento Lobo and EPB's William Plank reveal the results in this episode of Broadband Action: $5.3 billion in economic value, 10,420 jobs created, and a 6.4x return on investment. The fiber network powers both gigabit internet and a smart grid that's prevented $632 million in storm damage. The conversation covers how municipal fiber forced competitors to improve service, connected 16,000 low-income students through digital equity programs, and why EPB is now investing $30 million in quantum computing. A masterclass in infrastructure investment with practical lessons for communities nationwide.

Read the full study here: https://static.epb.com/media/documents/Lobo-Plank_2025_-_Nov_12_2025.pdf

Curtis Dean with CBAN chats with Doug Adams of Broadband Marketers. Doug has been following the rollout of NTIA approvals for state BEAD programs for the past several weeks, and has some good insights as to what may be coming next. Be sure to check out Doug's insightful articles at www.broadband.io.www.broadbandmarketers.com

CBAN's Curtis Dean talks about the NTIA's announcement that it has approved 18 state/territory final BEAD plans, an important step forward to bringing better broadband to many Americans.https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2025/ntia-announces-approval-18-bead-final-proposals

In this episode of Broadband Action, we discuss how broadband operators can serve their community through video coverage of community events. Curtis Dean chats with Karyn Leininger of Spencer Municipal Utilities and Monte Goodyk with Pella Fiber about their services.

In this episode of Broadband Action, host Curtis Dean explores Yuma County, Arizona's innovative approach to digital infrastructure with PJ Way, Broadband Program Manager. Way details how the county has strategically combined ARPA and local funding to construct an extensive middle mile fiber network spanning the region. The conversation highlights how this connectivity initiative particularly benefits Yuma's agricultural sector, enabling farmers to implement precision agriculture technologies that optimize crop production while significantly reducing resource consumption—especially critical water usage in this arid region. Dean and Way discuss how this digital transformation represents not just technological progress but a sustainable path forward for rural agricultural communities facing resource challenges.https://www.yumacountyaz.gov