In this episode, we speak to Bob Thompson, the founder and CEO of Underline. Bob shares his interesting journey from banker to medic to community infrastructure advocate—working to solve the problem of internet infrastructure and connectivity in the US. We dig into the open access model and he helps us understand a different way to think about OANs compared to the historical and European views. We talk about the importance of sustainable fiber infrastructure, and how communities and private partnerships can be facilitated through transparency and collaboration. We talk about the impact COVID on service providers, communities, and citizens, and how Bob sees the future of high-speed connectivity, post the COVID challenge.

More about Underline: https://underline.com/

In this episode, our guest began his journey of connecting others while looking to help a friend who didn't have internet service at his business. Since then, he has for the better part of two decades of guided the growth of Wisper ISP into a fixed wireless, now serving portions of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

He's a former member of the U.S. National Swim Team, and is a founding member of the Dyslexic Advantage Board, which is an educational, scientific and charitable organization working to improve the lives of those with dyslexia. He also currently serves as chairman of the board for the Wireless Internet Service Provider Association, and also St. Louis Business Monthly named our guest to their Top 30 Under 30. He was named the Top 100 St. Louisans to Know by the St. Louis Small Business Monthly magazine, the Founder and CEO of Wisper ISP, Nathan Stooke.

More about WISPER ISP: https://www.wisperisp.com/

In this episode, we speak with Brian Snider, the CEO of Lit Communities. Brian walks us through the mission and the origin of Lit Communities. He helps us understand how he's working with municipalities to think differently about network approaches, the value of broadband and funding for broadband initiatives. He explains a little bit about the partnership, Medina Fiber, that they've recently formed with the Medina County Fiber Network (MCFN) in Ohio, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on telehealth and distance learning. And he provides some advice to community leaders about how to move quickly in the short term, but to plan for long-term sustainable broadband.

More about Lit Communities: https://litcommunities.net/

Lit Communities is both a forward-thinking builder and operator of next-generation network infrastructure and a consultancy that guides communities across the country through the complicated process of deploying their own open application fiber optic utilities. Lit Communities believes that by separating the network infrastructure from the services provided on it, a more resilient and consumer-friendly environment is created. This approach makes otherwise prohibitively expensive networks feasible to build in communities of all sizes.

In today's episode, we speak with Will Mitchell, the CEO and co-founder of VETRO FiberMap. Will explains geospatial or map-based analytics, he helps us understand why the telecommunication is now moving towards map-based information. He explains how network operators can benefit from intelligent broadband and fiber maps. We talk about post-COVID and how a better understanding of our infrastructure can accelerate the systems that we need during this time. And we discuss what map-based insight may look like in the future.

More about Vetro Fibermap: https://www.vetrofibermap.com/

VETRO FiberMap was launched in 2016 by two founders, Will Mitchell and Sean Myers, who recognized that traditional mapping tools could not meet the needs of a rising tide of small and mid-size Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These ISPs needed an intuitive and accessible tool that would allow them to plan, design, build, sell, and manage their broadband networks using a single, cost-effective solution. VETRO FiberMap, designed and developed with input from many ISPs, now delivers this unique solution to competitive fiber broadband providers in more than a dozen countries.

In this episode, we speak with Josh Seidemann, Vice President of Policy at NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association. Josh explains NTCA's role in supporting rural broadband service providers as well as helping state and federal policymakers understand the importance of high-quality broadband across the nation. We dig into the COVID crisis and its impact on rural America and discuss senior isolation, telehealth, and remote learning. Finally, Josh provides resources and stories from some of the providers and members of NTCA.

More about NTCA at https://www.ntca.org/

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs.

In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business.

In this episode, we speak with Greg Aston, product director for ACS and Device Management Solutions. Greg shares device management challenges in 5G, wireless ISP, and post-COVID 19.

More about Device Management and Intelligence: https://etisoftware.com/software-series/acs/

In this episode, we speak with Brad Hine, Product Director of GIS and Analytics Solutions at ETI. Brad explains the importance of broadband service providers and WISPS to monitor and manage communications delivery devices. The increased dependence worldwide on the internet to support a leap in remote workforce demands, distance learning, content streaming, telemedicine and more have placed a premium on real-time proactive monitoring. Brad introduces Beamfly, an innovative, ESRI award-winning product and how it's helping small and large broadband service providers improve customer experience, reduce operating expenses and generate new insight into devices, networks and subscriber behavior.

More about Beamfly: https://offers.etisoftware.com/beamfly

Real-time and predictive awareness of service issues, Remote control and auto-config of software pushes, Reduce operations costs (truck rolls, troubleshooting on site), Stay ahead of customer satisfaction issues, Historic analysis for network, node and CPE performance

In this episode, Nathan Stooke, founder and CEO of Wisper ISP. He shares his journey from helping a friend who didn't have internet service to guiding Wisper ISP's growth as a fixed wireless leader in four States. A former member of the US national swim team and founding member of the Dyslexic Advantage Board, Nathan now serves as chairman of the board for the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA). He has been named to St Louis Business Monthly's Top 30 under 30 and the top 100 St Louisians to know by the St Louis Small Business Monthly Magazine. We talk about WISPA, CAF2 Funding, and partnering with Microsoft Airband.

More about WISPA: https://www.wispa.org/ WISPA is THE voice of the fixed wireless broadband industry representing entrepreneurs and innovators who deploy fixed wireless technologies to provide fast, affordable broadband internet service in their communities. WISPA members are local companies that provide their communities with broadband service, oftentimes with their first broadband connection or effective broadband competition.

More about Wisper ISP: https://www.wisperisp.com/ Wisper thrives by bridging the gap in rural America with fast internet. In other words, we help you connect and create opportunities in your community. Headquartered in Mascoutah, Illinois, our team is known for problem-solving, and spot-on customer service. Above all we have an ever-growing staff, which means you can now find us across Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

In this episode, we speak with the Palmer Chair in Communications at The Pennsylvania State University, Professor Sascha Meinrath. He is a globally recognized technology policy, founded the innovative think tank X-Lab, which is focused on the intersection of vanguard technologies and public policy. He has been an angel investor, social entrepreneur, community internet pioneer and has been named to the top 100 in Newsweek's Digital Power Index, and Time Magazine's Tech 40 as one of the most influential figures in technology. We discuss his many projects including The Measurement Lab, a global online platform for researchers to deploy internet measurement tools that empower the public, as well as key decision-makers, with useful information about broadband connectivity.

On this edition of The Broadband Bunch, we visit with Jason Richards, Vice President of Sales with Alyrica Networks in Oregon, a wireless broadband provider built on the strength of family and friends. Jason shares what attracted him to Alyrica and how their customer-centric approach has helped the company experience consistent growth in a highly competitive market. We talk about their wide range of services, everything from high capacity microwave links and Wi-Fi wireless system design to the optical fiber networks that are a growing aspect of Alyrica. You'll also hear a rather entertaining customer service story from the early days of the company.

Learn more about Alyrica Networks here: https://www.alyrica.net/about-us/