In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, recorded live at WISPAmerica 2025 in Oklahoma City, host Brad Hine sits down with Cameron Kilton, CTO of Nextlink, for a conversation about AI, automation, and the future of broadband in rural America. Cameron shares his journey from Maine to Texas, helping scale Nextlink from 38,000 to over 100,000 subscribers across 10+ states.

He dives into the practical use of AI in network operations—from predictive churn and sentiment analysis to internal tools that speed up diagnostics and ensure data integrity. Cameron also offers candid insights on the difference between real AI and automation hype, the importance of internal innovation, and why his team values initiative over degrees.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025, Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Denise Manka, Vice President of Business Development at MP Nexlevel. Denise shares her journey from the housing industry to telecom construction, and how MP Nexlevel’s deep roots, culture, and national reach set them apart in the broadband landscape.

They discuss the evolving infrastructure needs driven by AI and data center growth, the urgency of disaster preparedness in telecom, and why the industry shouldn’t wait on BEAD funding to take action. Denise also previews MP Nexlevel’s upcoming broadband emergency response initiative, set to debut at Mountain Connect, and calls for smarter fiber builds and more proactive public policy to keep pace with digital demands.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch recorded live from Fiber Connect 2025, host Pete Pizzutillo chats with Craig Thomas of Broadband Forum about the critical role of standards in today’s broadband landscape. They explore how interoperability supports smaller operators, the importance of data in enabling AI, and the shift from hardware to software-defined services. Craig also discusses challenges in open access networks—from security and service assurance to differentiation.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, host Brad Hine sits down with Anis Khemakhem, Chief Marketing Officer of Clearfield. With over 25 years of experience in telecommunications and technology, Anis shares his unique perspective on the evolution of fiber networks, customer-driven innovation, and the future of connectivity.

The conversation explores Clearfield’s commitment to labor-light, plug-and-play solutions that accelerate deployment and reduce operational bottlenecks, especially in underserved and rural communities. Anis also emphasizes the importance of listening to customers to drive product design, preparing networks for the demands of IoT and edge computing, and supporting the next generation of broadband technicians with tools like Clearfield’s new built app and VR-based training.

Additional topics include BABA compliance, domestic manufacturing, the impact of AI on infrastructure planning, and how Clearfield is addressing the growing need for modular, high-density fiber solutions in data centers and central offices.

In this special edition of The Broadband Bunch, co-hosts Brad Hine and Pete Pizzutillo break down the biggest takeaways from one of the industry's most influential events, Fiber Connect 2025. With over 5,000 attendees and 320+ exhibitors, the conference was packed with energy, insights, and future-shaping discussions.

Brad and Pete dive into everything from the status of BEAD funding and shifting investment trends, to AI readiness, workforce evolution, and the growing importance of industry partnerships and interoperability. They also preview several upcoming podcast interviews recorded live at the event—featuring voices from Nokia, Clearfield, Render Networks, RouteThis, Sastel, Great Plains Communications, CDG, and many more.

Whether you attended or not, this episode captures the pulse of Fiber Connect 2025 and offers a clear-eyed look at where the broadband industry is heading next.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine talks with Tim Ayers, co-founder of Gravity Path Partners, recorded live at Connected America 2025. With over 30 years in telecom and tech, Tim unpacks the growing role of edge computing—how it’s reshaping broadband infrastructure, enabling AI and low-latency applications, and becoming critical for future-ready networks.

They explore the repurposing of central offices into edge data centers, the need for distributed compute power, and why underserved communities must plan beyond just broadband to avoid an AI and quantum divide. Tim also shares how Gravity Path helps operators navigate growth, M&A, and expansion into the data center sector.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live from Connected America 2025, host Brad Hine sits down with Edyn Rolls, Chief Strategic Officer and founding member of the Oklahoma Broadband Office. As a key leader driving the state’s broadband expansion efforts, Edyn shares insights into Oklahoma’s $500 million deployment of ARPA funds, the BEAD subgrantee selection process, and how the state is adapting to shifting federal policies.

They dive into strategies for serving rural and tribal communities, replacing the now-defunct Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and balancing fiber ambitions with real-world terrain challenges. Edyn also opens up about her personal broadband journey—from grant-writing novice to statewide broadband leader—and the passion she brings to ensuring equitable access for every Oklahoman.

In this episode, host Brad Hine reports live from the show floor at Connected America 2025 in Irving, Texas. He’s joined by returning guest Brad Randall, editor at Total Telecom and chair of the event. Together, they unpack the energy on the expo floor and dive into the rapidly evolving broadband landscape.

From the political uncertainty surrounding the BEAD program to equity concerns and the future of infrastructure investment, this conversation captures the mood of the industry in real time. They discuss the impact of policy shifts, the challenges federal agencies face under the new administration, and how industry events like Connected America and the upcoming Broadband Communities Summit in Houston play a critical role in uniting stakeholders.

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine is joined by Rusty Williams, President and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council (UTC), for a preview of the 2025 UTC Annual Conference, taking place June 16–19 in Long Beach, California.

With over 30 years of experience spanning utilities, telecom, IT, and network integration, Rusty shares a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s event—from its deep-rooted history and evolving educational programming to exciting keynote speakers, including Southern California Edison’s Todd Inlander and FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington.

You will learn about key themes such as AI in utilities, managing legacy infrastructure, spectrum and wireless connectivity, the launch of UTC’s new cybersecurity program ARMOR, and the highly anticipated UTC Academy—a training initiative designed to close the skills gap in utility telecom and IT operations.

Recorded live at the NTCA’s 2025 R-TIME Conference in San Antonio, this episode of The Broadband Bunch features a conversation between host Brad Hine and Roxie Jorgenson—Chair of the NTCA Board of Directors and owner of Roxberry LLC.

Roxie shares the latest from NTCA’s new strategic plan, covering universal service funding, BEAD rollout challenges, and the critical need for workforce development in rural America. Drawing from her 25+ years in leadership and her work with Roxbury LLC, she explains how broken relationships—within organizations and with customers—often hold companies back from growth. Her programs like the Client Loyalty Accelerator™ and Trust-to-Profit™ system offer actionable strategies to reduce attrition, align teams, and turn relationships into long-term revenue.