Connected Nation

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On this episode of Connected Nation, host Jessica Denson talks with Mike Miller, Broadband Practice Leader at HDR—a 107-year-old company that recently entered the broadband space.

Discover how HDR is leveraging its Matrix model to tackle complex challenges, from Dig Once initiatives to the rapid demand for data centers nationwide. 

Learn why open access networks, middle-mile redundancy, and forward-thinking infrastructure planning are key to preparing for an AI-driven future.

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Mike's LinkedIn

HDR's LinkedIn

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On this episode of Connected Nation, recorded live at Mountain Connect 2025 in Denver, Colorado, host Jessica Denson sits down with Osmo’s Troy Cross, Vice President of Sales, and Sadie Conley, Demand Generation Specialist.

Osmo powers “frictionless support” for industry giants like AT&T, Google, and Verizon—helping customers resolve device issues quickly and easily. 

Now, they’re turning their attention to smaller ISPs, offering scalable, cloud-based solutions that can give providers of any size the tools they need to act as their community’s “hometown CTO.”

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Ozmo Website

Troy's LinkedIn

Sadie's LinkedIn 

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect 2025 as we sit down with Angela Siefer, Executive Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). We discuss the origins and mission of NDIA, the evolving landscape of digital equity, and how AI is shaping the next Digital Divide. 

Learn about the importance of local digital navigators, the role of ISPs and tech companies, and why digital inclusion is ultimately a human challenge.

Recommended links: 

NDIA webpage

NDIA Linkedin

Angela Siefer Linkedin

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect 2025 with two women from Colorado State University Pueblo—Dana Lambert, Director of Digital Equity, and Juliann Sandoval, Digital Navigator.

Their program is closing the digital divide across southern Colorado by providing free laptops, broadband access, and personalized digital skills training to students, seniors, veterans, and others in need.

Learn how their work is making a difference, why digital literacy is still a major barrier in 2025, and what all of us can do to help more people succeed in a digital-first world.

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Dana's LinkedIn

Juliann's LinkedIn

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we kick off our Mountain Connect 2025 coverage from Denver, Colorado. 

Jessica Denson sits down with Jerry Smith, Broadband Manager for Los Alamos County, New Mexico. The conversation dives into how his county is deploying an innovative open access fiber network, partnering with a sovereign tribal nation, and improving middle-mile redundancy in a remote but tech-savvy area. 

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Jerry's LinkedIn

Mountain Connect Website

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap up our coverage from the 2025 Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, Texas. 

Telecommunications legal expert Philip Macres breaks down the new BEAD rules—what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s uncertain—as states prepare for fast-moving deadlines and funding decisions. 

Then we sit down with Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt, this year’s National Digital Divide Award winner, to hear how her nonprofit is on track to impact 1 million lives through digital inclusion.

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Compudopt Website

Philip's LinkedIn

Megan's LinkedIn

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 In this special bonus episode of Connected Nation, we take you straight to the heart of the action on the exhibit floor at the Broadband Communities Summit. 

Join us as we explore the buzz around Interduct.com — the booth everyone was talking about. Discover why it captured so much attention. 

Recommended Links: 

Innerduct Website

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On this episode, we’re reporting from the Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, Texas, where we sit down with Molly Weiner, Director of Local and Regional Planning for Connected Nation. 

Molly shares insights from a new telehealth study focused on seven rural counties in northwest Colorado, conducted in partnership with Colorado’s eHealth Innovation Office.

We explore why many residents still aren’t using telehealth, what’s holding them back, and how education, awareness, and digital skills can bridge the gap.

Recommended Links: 

See the study HERE

CN Telehealth Research

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we've got some bonus coverage from the Broadband Communities Summit. We talk with Drew Pappas from Bonfire Infrastructure Group on how they help communities, coops, Tribes, and others build open networks across the country.

Recommended links:
Bonfire Website

Guest's LinkedIn - Drew Pappas

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with two representatives from Cogent Communications.  We discuss the evolution of data centers, talk about Cogent's work globally, and find out what it's like being the Internet Service Provider of Internet Service Providers.

Recommended links:
Cogent website

Guests' LinkedIn: Jeff Reinis and Craig Grace