After years of planning, the BEAD program is moving from paper to pavement—but approval is only the start. In this first episode of 2026, Kathryn de Wit, director of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broadband access initiative, joins Fiber Broadband Association President & CEO Gary Bolton to examine what comes next as states begin building networks to reach nearly five million locations. Kathryn unpacks NTIA’s evolving guidance, the “curing” process, and the challenges ahead—from permitting and workforce shortages to supply chain pressures and non-deployment funding uncertainty. If you’re asking, “proposals are approved—now what?” this episode offers timely, practical insight into the work ahead and what it will take to turn BEAD’s ambition into lasting broadband impact.  With Special Guests: Kathryn de Wit, director of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broadband access initiative

What does 2026 hold for the future of fiber—and for the people shaping it? Join Jessica Koch, Controller at Consolidated Business Services and FBA Conference Committee Chair and Evann Freeman, VP, Government & Community Relations, EPB and FBA's Board Vice Chair and Conference Committee Board Liaison as they pull back the curtain on next year’s vision, offering a look at why Fiber Connect continues to position our industry light years ahead. They will also walk through the seven brand-new Regional Fiber Connect Workshops rolling out across the country and showcase bold, new programming for Fiber Connect 2026, taking place May 17–20 in Orlando. If you’re looking for insight, inspiration, and a glimpse of where the industry is headed, this episode sets the stage With Special Guests: Jessica Koch, Controller at Consolidated Business Services and FBA Conference Committee Chair Evann Freeman, VP, Government & Community Relations, EPB and FBA's Board Vice Chair and Conference Committee Board Liaison

In the last Fiber for Breakfast episode of 2025, Gary welcomes the Senior Director, Field and Partner Marketing at Adtran and the 2026 FBA Board Chair, Ash Brown. Ash will review FBA Board priorities for 2026, and will share FBA Policy updates and plans to engage with her constituents and the FBA working groups in the new year. Ash will also share the latest on Adtran.  With Special Guest: Ash Brown, Senior Director, Field and Partner Marketing at Adtran and the 2026 FBA Board Chair

In this episode, we deliver the 2025 annual deployment update on the progress and prospects for fiber broadband—what’s been built, what’s ahead, and what it means for the telecommunications industry. Mike Render, President of RVA, LLC, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, for his final appearance of the year to break down current deployment levels, the key drivers accelerating fiber builds, and the challenges slowing expansion. Drawing on his latest research, Mike highlights emerging opportunities to increase take rates and ARPU, as well as adjacent fiber markets gaining momentum. It’s a clear-eyed view of where fiber stands today and how smart strategy and planning can shape its next phase of growth. With Special Guest: Mike Render, President of RVA, LLC

In this week’s episode, Dr. Christopher Ali – national broadband policy expert and author – joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, for a candid look at what comes after BEAD. Ali cuts through the headlines to uncover the real challenges facing broadband deployment, urging policymakers and providers to move beyond short-term objectives and adopt long-term, purpose-driven strategies.  He underscores the often-overlooked importance of middle-mile infrastructure, the unique opportunities electric cooperatives offer, and why fiber, though the preferred technology, must co-exist with wireless and satellite. Ali also addresses the widening gap between broadband availability and usability, calling for sustained affordability programs and stronger digital literacy support.  Finally, he gives a sneak peek into his new book – “Where the Wires End: Stories from the Digital Divide” and challenges the industry to redefine what success looks like in the post-BEAD era.  With Special Guest: Dr. Christopher Ali, National Broadband Policy Expert and Author

In this episode, Jessica Dine, Policy Analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute and Wireless Future Project, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to unpack New America’s recent report, Exploring Paths to a U.S. Digital Skills Framework. With billions being invested in broadband deployment and adoption, the lack of a national standard for defining and measuring digital skills poses a major risk to impact. Jessica outlines two strategic options: adapting proven international or institutional models or developing a data-driven framework tailored to the U.S. landscape. Tune in to explore why this work is urgent and how it could advance digital inclusion and policy effectiveness nationwide. With Special Guest: Jessica Dine, Policy Analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute and Wireless Future Project

In this week’s episode, we explore Recon Analytics’ compelling insight: fiber broadband isn’t just another access layer – it’s the backbone of the AI economy. Their latest survey shows that fiber users engage with AI far more frequently and intensely than users on other networks, revealing a powerful feedback loop: better connectivity drives deeper AI adoption, and that engagement further justifies fiber investments. For telecom providers, this isn’t just a usage trend – it’s a strategic signal. Listen this week as Roger Entner, Analyst and Founder of Recon Analytics chats with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association about what this means for CAPEX allocation, customer segmentation, positioning fiber as the “AI experience,” and rethinking the value proposition in an AI-driven future. With Special Guest: Roger Entner, Analyst and Founder of Recon Analytics

This conversation with Brightspeed CEO Michel Combes explores his first six months at the helm of one of the nation’s fastest-growing fiber internet providers. In this discussion with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, Michel reflects on the company’s transformation journey, progress in expanding high-speed connectivity across its 20-state footprint, and the cultural and operational shifts driving momentum. From accelerating fiber deployment and enhancing customer experience to strengthening community partnerships and fostering an innovative workplace committed to putting the customer first, the session offers a candid look at the challenges, milestones and lessons learned during his initial months of leadership. Attendees will gain insight into Brightspeed’s strategic direction, leadership philosophy and the path forward as the company continues its mission to deliver reliable, next-generation connectivity to more than 5 million locations in the communities it serves.  With Special Guest: Michel Combes, CEO, Brightspeed

As the broadband industry’s focus shifts from deployment to adoption, ensuring rural residents have the tools and confidence to fully engage in the digital economy is critical. True inclusion goes beyond connectivity—it requires affordable devices, hands-on digital skills training (including AI literacy), and ongoing community support. When these elements come together, rural communities can transform connectivity into opportunity—fueling new jobs, entrepreneurship, and long-term local prosperity. In this week’s episode, Adam Dewbury, Ph.D., Researcher and Shaniqua Corley-Moore, Head of Tech Talent Development, join Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share evidence-based strategies and best practices for advancing digital inclusion. They’ll explore how tailored interventions can empower key groups—low-income households, women, students, older adults, veterans, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with language barriers, and people with disabilities—to thrive in an increasingly digital world. With Special Guest: Adam Dewbury, Ph.D., Researcher and Shaniqua Corley-Moore, Head of Tech Talent Development

Kansas is proving that the buck doesn’t stop with BEAD. Across the state, new broadband initiatives are laying the groundwork for a digital renaissance – connecting communities, revitalizing local economies, and creating opportunities that keep Kansans rooted where they are or even draw them back home. From ground-breaking last-mile projects bringing high-speed fiber to rural areas, to the launch of the state’s first Internet Exchange (IXP) in Wichita – a milestone that strengthens resilience, redundancy, and cybersecurity – Kansas is building a stronger, more connected future. Tune into our next episode as Joseph Le, Deputy Director of Broadband Development at Kansas Commerce talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association to discuss how state leaders and innovators are lighting up the heartland with fiber and redefining what’s possible for Kansas communities. With Special Guest: Joseph Le, Deputy Director of Broadband Development at Kansas Commerce

As we look ahead to the next chapter of connectivity, it’s worth pausing to consider how far we’ve come. In this week’s Fiber for Breakfast, Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, sits down with Mike Render, CEO of RVA LLC, to explore two decades of industry evolution — how internet performance, user expectations, and daily life have been transformed. Drawing on original FBA/RVA data, they uncover the trends in the 2025 Consumer Study that shaped today’s connected world and highlight the critical role fiber has played in driving progress. With Special Guest: Mike Render, CEO of RVA LLC

Today, many technologies can advertise 100/20 “broadband,” but few providers deliver those speeds consistently. Consumers are sold “up to” speeds – yet speed test data shows that while fiber consistently delivers as promised, other technologies fall short most of the time. On today’s Fiber for Breakfast, Jonathan Chambers, co-CEO, Conexon talks with Gary Bolton, FBA’s President & CEO about how the industry must move beyond theoretical definitions to accountability based on actual, verifiable performance. The question is simple: are customers really getting what they paid for? With Special Guest: Jonathan Chambers, co-CEO, Conexon

The broadband industry is at a turning point. Dell’Oro Group’s newly released 5-Year Forecast projects that the global Broadband Access Equipment market will climb steadily through 2029, with revenues peaking in 2028. Behind the numbers are powerful forces reshaping the industry: fiber expansion, DOCSIS 4.0 upgrades, and the rapid adoption of Wi-Fi 7 and fixed wireless. This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Jeff Heynen, Vice President of Broadband Access and Home Networking at Dell’Oro Group, joins Gary Bolton, FBA President & CEO, for a must-hear discussion on what’s coming next. They dig into the technologies and strategies including: The next wave of PON and DOCSIS investment and its competitive implications. How Fixed Wireless and Wi-Fi 7 are set to transform home connectivity. Why providers must pivot from “homes passed” to customized services, automation, and AI-driven platforms. This isn’t just a forecast—it’s a roadmap for where broadband is headed. Whether you’re a network operator, vendor, or investor, this conversation will help you understand how to future-proof your strategy, and what customers will demand next. With Special Guest: Jeff Heynen, Vice President of Broadband Access and Home Networking at Dell’Oro Group

Data demand isn’t slowing down—and networks can only stretch so far. As service providers race to keep up, the challenge is no longer just building connections, but ensuring they can stand the test of time. This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Bryan Darr, Vice President of Government Affairs at Ookla, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to explore how state broadband offices can stay ahead of the curve. While fiber remains the backbone of new deployments, the updated BEAD program suggests a bigger role for alternative technologies than many state plans first envisioned. That shift makes ongoing performance monitoring more critical than ever. It’s not enough to declare a network complete—offices must track reliability and capacity for years to come. Why? Because oversubscription and insufficient backhaul can undermine even the most ambitious projects. And as Darr and Bolton will discuss, some technologies make it easier to add capacity when demand inevitably spikes. Don’t miss this timely conversation about planning, performance, and the real-world strategies to keep broadband strong for the long haul. With Special Guest: Bryan Darr, Vice President of Government Affairs at Ookla

Grand Farm is a collaborative network of growers, startups, corporations, researchers, educators, investors, and government partners working together to solve agricultural challenges through applied technology. Based in North Dakota, with projects and partnerships across the country, Grand Farm supports real-world testing and validation of technologies like autonomous equipment, IoT sensors, and AI-driven tools that rely on strong broadband infrastructure. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Dr. William Aderholdt, Executive Director of Grand Farm, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of FBA to discuss how fiber broadband is accelerating innovation in agriculture. The conversation will focus on how connectivity enables everything from field-level data collection to the adoption of advanced tools across rural communities, helping bridge the gap between AgTech solutions and the growers who need them. With Special Guest: Dr. William Aderholdt, Executive Director of Grand Farm

What does it really take to age in place successfully? Beyond healthcare and housing, it’s about connection—and that’s where fiber broadband comes in. From telehealth and online learning to smart home safety and staying close to family, fiber is redefining what independence looks like for older adults. This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Tom Kamber, Founder & Executive Director at OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), from AARP a leader in helping older adults thrive with technology talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association and dives into how broadband is transforming aging in America, and why this presents both a responsibility and an opportunity for providers. With Special Guest: Tom Kamber, Founder & Executive Director at OATS (Older Adults Technology Services)

Discover how granular location and coverage data is transforming broadband deployment knowledge, funding planning and deployment strategies. Powered by tools like historical coverage data via CostQuest’s Time Series Dashboard and Broadband in America report, stakeholders now have unprecedented visibility into broadband availability and buildout trends for fiber and broadband technologies. This clarity enables both public and private entities to precisely target resources—time, capital, and infrastructure—toward markets that align with strategic goals. Join us for the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton, FBA’s President & CEO to hear from Jim Stegeman, CEO CostQuest on how CostQuest’s Fabric location level data along with the FCC’s Broadband Coverage data allow entities to identify build out trends and reveal true coverage gaps and create effective public and private funding strategies. With Special Guest: Jim Stegeman, CEO CostQuest

Network slicing is emerging as one of the most promising developments in broadband. By enabling real-time customization at the network level, slicing could allow customers to prioritize performance for specific needs—whether that’s streaming, gaming, remote work, or even short-lived secure connections for activities like online banking. But how close is this concept to reality, and what does it mean for providers and the broader industry? In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Nick Saporito, Head of Product at GFiber Labs, joins FBA President & CEO Gary Bolton to unpack the potential of network slicing, the role automation will play, and the steps needed before it can be widely deployed. With Special Guest: Nick Saporito, Head of Product at GFiber Labs

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program promises to transform connectivity in underserved communities — but securing funding has been anything but simple. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Bree Maki, Director of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share real-world challenges and best practices for navigating BEAD. From financing hurdles and Build America Buy America (BABA) compliance to permitting delays, pole access, workforce pressures, and shifting federal guidance, they break down the complexities providers face — and how the industry is adapting. With Special Guest: Bree Maki, Director of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development

As work, commerce, and society move online, reliable internet access has become essential. In 2000, only 1% of U.S. adults had home broadband, compared to 80% today. Without faster speeds and higher adoption, the U.S. would have lost $1.3 trillion in economic growth from 2010–2020. Since 1996, the private sector has invested $2.2 trillion in broadband infrastructure, with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act adding $65 billion in federal funds. Still, 10% of households (12.7 million) lack a broadband subscription. New investments aim to close this gap, but extreme weather and rapidly evolving technologies pose ongoing challenges. On our next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, join us as Ed Barrett, President of HR Green’s Broadband Business Unit talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and covers the latest broadband report card grade published by the American Society of Civil Engineers and covers important areas of research on broadband capacity, materials cost for last-mile broadband deployment methods, funding, operations and maintenance and more. *Telecom Advisory Services, “The Contribution of Fixed Broadband to the Economic Growth of the United States between 2010 and 2020,” 2022 With Special Guest: Ed Barrett, President of HR Green’s Broadband Business Unit