In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo speaks with Tracy Doaks, President and CEO of MCNC. Tracy shares her journey from state CIO to leading MCNC, which operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network.

She discusses MCNC’s 5,000 miles of fiber, its role in telehealth, and how middle-mile networks empower last-mile providers to serve rural communities. The conversation covers broadband as infrastructure of opportunity, the impact of public-private partnerships, challenges with funding and affordability, and the growing importance of cybersecurity and resiliency. Tracy emphasizes how broadband adoption fuels education, healthcare, job creation, and thriving economies across North Carolina.

In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Ronan Kelly, Managing Director of AllPoints Fibre Networks in the UK. Ronan shares his 30-year journey through the broadband industry—from the early days of dial-up with U.S. Robotics to leading innovative fiber deployments across Europe.

The conversation explores the consolidation of UK alt-nets, the creation of AllPoints Fibre’s wholesale-only model, and the launch of their new Aquila platform, designed to provide a marketplace for ISPs and streamline integration through standards-based APIs. Ronan highlights the challenges of scaling fiber networks, managing technical debt, and why automation and vendor-backed solutions are critical for long-term sustainability.

Looking ahead, Ronan offers insights on the role of AI in telecom operations, the importance of embracing change, and how UK market lessons could apply to the U.S. broadband landscape. His reflections on legacy, leadership, and building resilient infrastructure provide valuable takeaways for operators, technologists, and policymakers alike.

In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, recorded at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, Brad Hine sits down with Jason Moore, Co-Founder and CEO of RouteThis, to explore the challenges of delivering flawless in-home connectivity. Jason shares his career journey from silicon design and consumer tech to building a global platform that empowers ISPs, technicians, and subscribers to diagnose and resolve network issues right at the device level. They discuss RouteThis’ origins in solving video streaming problems, its growth into multiple product lines, and how its mobile-based tools eliminate guesswork for both support teams and end users. The conversation covers the rise of mesh systems, the increasing complexity of connected homes, the role of AI and AR in future troubleshooting, and the business case behind pairing exceptional customer experience with operational cost savings. Jason also offers insight into industry trends, smart device proliferation, and the importance of building networks ready to meet ever-rising customer expectations.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine interviews Juan Pinzon, a project manager at Aspire Communications, from Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Juan shares insights into the evolution of Aspire Communications from a small startup into a broadband service provider. With a focus on fiber optic network design and construction, Aspire has grown significantly, particularly in Florida and California. Juan discusses his role at Aspire, which involves everything from splicing to sales, and how the company has expanded into offering ISP services. He highlights key projects, including their work in Leesburg, Florida, and the impressive leap into California's Simi Valley, where they’ve built underground fiber networks.

Throughout the conversation, Juan reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in fiber optics, including the importance of building strong teams, finding the right partners, and evolving as a company. He also shares the company’s vision for bridging the digital divide, with a focus on residential and small government projects.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded at WISPAmerica 2025 in Oklahoma City, host Brad Hine sits down with Steve Schwerbel, Director of State Advocacy at WISPA, to explore the landscape of broadband policy across all 50 states. Steve shares thoughts on how state-level legislation, BEAD funding, and advocacy strategies are shaping the broadband deployment—particularly for fixed wireless providers.

They discuss WISPA's tech-neutral approach, the role of storytelling in advocacy, and real-world examples of how fixed wireless is filling the gaps where fiber can't reach. From disaster recovery in North Carolina to workforce development on California farms, Steve brings powerful narratives that highlight the innovation and resilience of WISPA members. The episode also shines a light on tax policy, labor certification, and access rights as key legislative priorities, underscoring the need for broadband solutions that are fast, flexible, and community-driven.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Joe Hickey, President of PomeGran, for a conversation about the realities of expanding rural broadband in Canada. Joe reflects on his 35-year career spanning telecom, defense electronics, wireless, and broadband, sharing how his passion for connecting communities has shaped his work today.

The discussion explores the challenges of delivering high-speed internet to remote regions, including navigating Canada’s grant programs, working through Indigenous land approvals, managing multi-utility make-ready processes, and operating in extreme northern climates. Joe talks about Canada’s multi-billion-dollar broadband funding initiatives and how they compare to the U.S. BEAD program, as well as the importance of community engagement and local partnerships in driving adoption. He also examines strategies for monetizing both new and existing networks in low-density areas and explains the broader economic benefits of rural broadband, from attracting industry and new residents to boosting GDP. Looking ahead, Joe discusses opportunities in satellite, 5G, and open-access networks, underscoring the need for passion, persistence, and creativity to overcome obstacles and keep projects moving forward.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down at WISPA America 2025 in Oklahoma City with Matt Mandel, Vice President of Government Affairs at WISPA. With over two decades of experience navigating Capitol Hill, Matt shares a behind-the-scenes look at broadband policy advocacy, from engaging with Congress and federal agencies to representing the needs of WISPs across the country.

The conversation explores the role of fixed wireless in broadband deployment, the regulatory uncertainty surrounding BEAD funding, and the importance of technology-neutral approaches to closing the digital divide. Matt also offers unique insights into his journey from congressional aide to telecom lobbyist, the fast-paced world of broadband policy, and the power of local, community-based ISPs to transform rural America.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine welcomes back Jeff Gavlinski, CEO of Mountain Connect, for a preview of the 2025 Mountain Connect Conference in Denver, Colorado. Now in its 11th year, Mountain Connect is known for its focus on honest dialogue, practical innovation, and community-centered solutions.

Jeff tells how the conference has evolved from a regional Colorado event to a nationally recognized broadband forum, and why this year’s agenda is more relevant than ever. From timely BEAD policy updates and NTIA participation to emerging tech trends like AI, Wi-Fi 7, and cloud gaming, the conversation explores how Mountain Connect is staying ahead of industry needs while staying true to its independent roots.

Listeners will also get a sneak peek at major changes coming to the event format in the years ahead—including a shift away from traditional lead capture strategies toward more meaningful attendee engagement and business impact.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Gene Crusie (CEO and Head Coach), Kevin Bush (Chief Revenue Officer), and Amber Rodriguez (Senior Director of Growth Marketing) from Surf Internet. Together, they share the story behind Surf’s mission to bring future-proof fiber connectivity to underserved communities across the Great Lakes region.

From their early roots as a fixed wireless and dial-up ISP to their bold “Go Big or Go Home” strategy that now fuels their aggressive fiber deployments, the Surf leadership team discusses what it means to lead with integrity, build trust in local communities, and drive measurable impact through public-private partnerships. You’ll hear real stories of lives changed—like a college student able to care for her dying mother thanks to fiber access, and a family saved from job loss through rapid deployment.

The conversation also explores Surf’s approach to BEAD funding uncertainty, their investment in AI-ready networks, and how they maintain top-tier Net Promoter Scores by staying local, transparent, and customer-first.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live from WISPAmerica 2025 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, host Brad Hine sits down with Josh Johnson, CIO of Fibersmith. With over 25 years in telecom and software development, Josh offers a look into the evolution of OSS/BSS, the power of automation, and the responsible integration of AI in broadband operations.

Josh shares the origin story of Fibersmith’s dual focus on engineering and software, revealing how real-world experience shaped their customer-first, workflow-driven product vision. He breaks down how Fibersmith’s geospatially aware workflow engine is enabling ISPs to automate complex integrations, streamline operations, and even predict customer churn and service issues using AI.

The conversation covers practical use cases—from AI-powered marketing automation and service delivery optimization to predictive analytics for revenue forecasting and network health. Josh emphasizes that while AI is still in its infancy in telecom, the groundwork being laid today with structured data and thoughtful design will unlock major benefits in the near future.