On today’s podcast – we’re doing something special to wrap up an incredible year.

We're bringing in the award-winning communications team that works behind the scenes daily to spread the word about Connected Nation’s impactful programs and projects – tackling digital inequities from coast to coast.

 We’ll reflect on the biggest challenges, milestones, and victories of 2024, share personal highlights, and even give a glimpse of what’s to come in 2025.

Recommended Links:
Lily's Puerto Rico blog
Ashley & Grant's Interview w/ Marco & Alek
Kailynn's West Virginia story

Today, we’re diving into an incredible story of technology and connection happening right here in the United States.

We’re thrilled to welcome leadership from Centranet, a company that delivers cutting edge internet via a fiber broadband communitcations network.

We will hear more about Centranet and their recently announced partnership with Sac and Fox Nation to bring one of the fastest internet speeds in the world to a rural tribal community in Oklahoma.

Recommended Links:
Partnership Article
Centranet Website 

On this episode of Connected Nation, we conclude our coverage of the Broadband Communities Summit West.  Learn how a relatively new nonprofit is helping community organizations bridge the Digital Divide; explore another company's unique approach to helping smaller ISPs secure funding; AND hear from one man who is taking connecting his community into his own hands.

Recommended Links:
Curtis Dean Linkedin
Community Broadband Action Network
Scott Sampson Linkedin
Mac Mountain LLC.
Robert Ford Mance Linkedin
Ford Mance Capital Advisors

Past Broadband Communities Summit West episodes:
Sounds of the Summit: Episode #1
Sounds from the Summit: Why 100% connectivity is a moving target in the Sunflower State
Sounds of the Summit: Upcoming trends in digital inclusion and how one ISP is revolutionizing local connectivity
Sounds of the Summit: Today's perceptions in telehealth and Hawaii's vision for full connectivity

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Communities Summit West conference.

We discuss new trends in telehealth with a leading researcher on the topic and talk to a representative from Hawaiian Telecom about the state's goal to have a 100% connectivity by 2026.

Recommended Links:
Chris McGovern Linkedin
Jonathan Delahoyde Linkedin
Hawaiian Telecom

Past Broadband Communities Summit West episodes:
Sounds of the Summit: Episode #1
Sounds from the Summit: Why 100% connectivity is a moving target in the Sunflower State
Sounds of the Summit: Upcoming trends in digital inclusion and how one ISP is revolutionizing local connectivity

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Communities Summit West conference. We talk with the Executive VP of Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation, about trends that are happening within the digital inclusion space.

Plus we talk with a leader from Further Reach about how the company started as a project at UC Berkeley, and has now become a sustainable ISP for local homes.

Recommended Links:
Heather Gate Linkedin
Tamir Scheinok Linkedin
Further Reach website

Past Broadband Communities Summit West episodes:
Sounds of the Summit: Episode #1
Sounds from the Summit: Why 100% connectivity is a moving target in the Sunflower State

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Communities Summit West conference. You'll hear from the Interim Director of the Kansas State Broadband Office as he discusses Middle Mile vs. Last Mile, BEAD deadlines, and Kansas's BEAD challenge process.

Recommended Links:
Kansas Department of Commerce - Office of Broadband Development
Joseph Le - Interim Director of Broadband Development at Kansas Department of Commerce Linkedin Profile

Past Broadband Communities Summit West episodes:
Sounds from the Summit: Episode #1

On our first episode of BBC Summit coverage, you'll hear from one man who says he knows what the number one issue many of the broadband leaders are having.

Also joining us, a state broadband director who says "by the time BEAD is done, there will be 56 different conclusions."

Recommended Links:
Brian Newby's LinkedIn
Tom Cox's LinkedIn
Steve Valdez LinkedIn

On today’s podcast, Verizon's CRO for the Global Enterprise & Public Sector, Massimo Peselli, joins us to discuss the technology of 5G including what’s myth and what’s reality. 

Plus, we look at how global leaders are tackling the issue of connectivity AND what’s on the horizon for new tech within the broadband space.

Recommended Links:
Massimo's LinkedIn
Verizon Business 

Today's episode is a bonus interview from our coverage at the 2024 Broadband Nation Expo.

We were joined by Justin Fazzari, Senior Broadband Strategist at Sanborn. We speak about Justin's background, some of his daily activities and what is the present and future of Sanborn. Be sure to check out the links below!

Recommended Links:
Justin's LinkedIn
Sanborn's Website

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Nation Expo. During the "Broadband and Brews" event hosted by Connected Nation, Vernonburg Group, and Sandborn our host Grant Ahlbrand speaks with three broadband industry leaders. The discussion covers everything from digital equity and broadband funding to day-to-day responsibilities of broadband leaders.

RELATED LINKS:
Vernonburg Group
Ookla
NWS
Alex Jeffery, Senior Public Policy Manager, Vernonburg Group Linkedin Profile
Bryan Darr, VP of Government Affairs, Ookla
Lee Morreale, Sales Executive, NWS

Past Broadband Nation Expo podcasts episodes:
On the road: Inside Broadband Nation Expo 2024 (Part 1)
Broadband Nation Expo 2024: How broadband connectivity can help individuals become successful in the digital age