Claim OwnershipCommunity Broadband Bits
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Description
Short interviews with people doing interesting things to expand broadband networks that put community needs first.
693 Episodes
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Richard Shockey joins Chris Mitchell to explain how the collapse of the PSTN, weak federal oversight, and a messy transition to all-IP networks threaten everything from 911 reliability to rural connectivity.
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Chris Mitchell, Jess Auer, and David Kulp tell the inside story of how community determination transformed Internet access across Western Massachusetts.
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Mauricio Rodriguez joins Chris to talk about permitting challenges, land negotiations, environmental surprises, and why setting standards and hiring the right people early is key to actually getting fiber in the ground.
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Sascha Meinrath joins Chris to unpack how BEAD funding is drifting toward satellite solutions that can’t scale—and why misleading speed data, space congestion, and political pressure could derail real broadband progress
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Doug Dawson joins Chris to break down the latest shakeups in broadband policy, from ISPs gaming the data to NTIA’s controversial BEAD changes and what it all means for communities trying to connect.
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Chris Mitchell, Karl Bode, and Sean Gonsalves break down the politics, corruption, and power plays shaping the broadband landscape—and what it all means for communities fighting for real Internet choice
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Chris Mitchell and Jordan Pittman dig into what federal broadband funding missed, why affordability still looms as the biggest barrier, and how communities can keep pushing for real accountability and digital equity.
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Mike Masnick of Techdirt joins us to unpack the myths around Section 230, how reform efforts could backfire, and why protecting free speech online requires more nuance than most policymakers are willing to give.
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In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with Karl Bode and Jordan Pittman to dig into free speech, media consolidation, and the flood of low-quality “AI slop” shaping how we experience the Internet today.
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Jonathan Chambers joins us to talk fiber, satellites, and the messy truth of federal broadband policy—and why evidence, not politics, should drive how we connect rural America.
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Sarah Morris joins us to talk about the Trump administration’s push toward satellite, what it means for states on the frontlines, and why Congress’s original vision for closing the digital divide is at risk.
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Scott Goff of Gibson Connect joins the show to share how an electric co-op in Tennessee is transforming rural communities with reliable, affordable fiber broadband. He and Chris discuss overcoming state barriers, building trust, and why community-first models are key to closing the digital divide
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Sascha Meinrath returns to break down what Starlink gets right—and wrong—about solving the digital divide. He and the CBN Team take a hard look at the hype, the reality, and why magic-bullet solutions often distract from real, community-driven infrastructure.
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Sascha Meinrath returns for a wide-ranging conversation on "Abundance" and what it gets right and wrong about broadband and public policy. He and Chris unpack the dangers of corporate-led infrastructure and why real abundance must center the public good.
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In this episode of the podcast, Chris and Sean unpack the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Universal Service Fund (USF) and why it matters for millions of Americans. They also call out corporate “sludge” tactics and highlight a major lawsuit—filed by 21 states and D.C.—pushing back against the Trump administration’s attempt to cancel the Digital Equity Act.
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In this episode of the podcast, Brian Vo and Clara Miller join the show to explore how communities can leverage mission-driven finance to build lasting broadband infrastructure. They highlight creative approaches to funding that prioritize community needs and long-term impact.
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Wi-Fi as we know it is under threat. Harold Feld and Michael Calabrese join the show to explain how a Senate proposal could auction off critical spectrum needed for Wi-Fi 7—undermining future innovation and everyday connectivity. Learn what’s at stake and how to fight back.
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In this episode of the podcast, David Zumwalt joins the show to break down why CBRS—shared spectrum that powers broadband in rural and underserved areas—is under threat. He and Chris explore how corporate lobbying could unravel a successful model that’s fueling innovation and connectivity nationwide.
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In this Monday edition of the podcast, Evan Feinman returns to break down the Trump administration’s latest changes to the BEAD program. He and Chris dig into how prioritizing short-term savings over long-term infrastructure could leave millions with slower, pricier Internet access.
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In this episode of the podcast, Chris welcomes back Gigi Sohn for a rapid-fire reaction to Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s latest testimony and the ongoing BEAD program freeze. They unpack the political motivations, and what's really at stake for states ready to build broadband networks.
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