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

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

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

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

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

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

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

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

Delivering high-speed internet and voice services throughout the midwest, Nextlink Internet has experienced radical, organic growth over the past decade and has become the one of the largest wireless internet service providers in the nation. Nextlink differentiates itself based on an obsession with great customer service, whether the service is provided with wireless or fiber. Nextlink maintains redundancy and reliability by ensuring even in highly rural areas that it utilizes multiple wireless backhaul connections on licensed links, and has a healthy amount of fiber in its diet across its footprint.

Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association about Nextlink’s expansion projects, recent deployments and its collaborative efforts with the Seward County Chamber of Commerce as they recently announced the grand opening of the county’s first Digital Empowerment Center.

With Special Guest:

• Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

Broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for economic opportunity, education, and community resilience. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is meeting this need by investing in infrastructure through a deeply local, collaborative approach.

This past June, MCA President Andrew Butcher hit the road in his 1984 Volkswagen van—affectionately known as “Buttercup”—traveling over 800 miles to visit 14 towns, 5 libraries, and 2 connectivity hubs, and connect with more than 150 community members and broadband partners across Maine to understand how we can both be more connected digitally and in real life.

In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Andrew joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share stories from the road and insights into how strategic partnerships—with Tribal, municipal, nonprofit, and private stakeholders—are helping close the digital divide. With more than 86,000 homes and businesses connected in the past three years—a 26% increase in access—MCA is building more than just infrastructure; it’s shaping the future of equitable, sustainable connectivity.

With Special Guest:

• Andrew Butcher, President, MCA

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

Fiber broadband is rapidly expanding across West Virginia, fueled by bold public-private partnerships and significant infrastructure investments. While meaningful progress has been made, many communities remain underserved or entirely unserved — underscoring the continued need for strategic broadband deployment.

On our next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, join us as Jim Martin, President and CEO of Citynet, talks with Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share how bold partnerships and targeted investments are transforming rural connectivity in West Virginia. With a spotlight on the recent $24.87 million USDA ReConnect award in Nicholas County, Martin will highlight how Citynet, a trusted, West Virginia-based fiber broadband provider is collaborating with local leaders to bring high-speed internet to thousands of underserved residents, farms, businesses, and community institutions. Discover how this project, and others like it, are reshaping the economic future of Appalachia and setting the stage for success under upcoming programs like BEAD and ARC.

With Special Guest:

• Jim Martin, President and CEO of Citynet

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

A top 10 US fiber provider, Consolidated Communications operates a network spanning more than 67,000 fiber route miles across 20-plus states. Launched in 2021, Fidium, their fiber services brand, has already connected over a million locations—in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont—delivering multi-gig speeds, simple pricing, and an exceptional customer-first experience.

Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Gaurav Juneja, Chief Operating Officer, Consolidated Communications talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association about how Fidium, is rapidly expanding high-speed internet across rural New England. Also, you’ll hear more on how the company’s ambitious fiber build is driving economic growth, empowering communities, and setting new standards for customer satisfaction, all while accelerating its expansion and transformation under new private ownership.

With Special Guest:

• Gaurav Juneja, Chief Operating Officer, Consolidated Communications

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

Wisconsin is working hard to bridge the digital divide and improve broadband access for all residents. While challenges remain—such as limited access to high-speed wired or fixed wireless service in some areas and affordability barriers for many households—the state is actively tackling these issues through coordinated efforts and strategic planning.

At the forefront of this work is the Wisconsin Broadband Office (WBO), part of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. WBO leads statewide initiatives to expand broadband access, adoption, and affordability, overseeing grant programs, mapping service coverage, conducting outreach, and supporting communities in developing digital infrastructure.

Tune in to the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Alyssa Kenney, WBO’s State Broadband and Digital Equity Director, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association. They’ll discuss WBO’s ongoing efforts, the vision for universal connectivity across Wisconsin, and how smart policy and local partnerships are paving the way for a more connected and equitable digital future.

With Special Guest:

• Alyssa Kenney, State Broadband and Digital Equity Director, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

For the past several years, fiber installation has continued to push forward to new levels of demand. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD), the construction medium seemingly made for fiber installation, has desperately been trying to keep up with booming project appetites across America. While micro-trenching and other construction methods are also being employed as part of the fiber construction tsunami, HDD, due to its environmentally friendly qualities combined with speedy construction process, remains the preferred installation method.

The need for speed has spread to every corner of the country. Fiber represents the economic engines for small towns as well as huge metropolises. Thus, small rig HDD operators are being stretched to their limits even as new contractors are entering the HDD market in hopes of riding the fiber wave to prosperity. The problem is that often inexperience brings a new set of challenges to the jobsite.

Adding to the already red-hot fiber installation market is the pending BEAD funding program for rural and underserved areas. When BEAD does finally start being released, the HDD market is bracing for another era of accelerated workload demands.

In the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Mike Render, president of RVA Market Research and Consulting, and Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief of Underground Infrastructure magazine, join Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share insights from the publication’s 27th annual HDD Survey—revealing a strong market grappling to meet growing demand.

With Special Guest:

• Michael Render, CEO & Principal Analyst, RVA LLC Market Research and Consulting
• Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief, Underground Infrastructure

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

Join us on our next Fiber for Breakfast with a conversation with the Federal Communications Commissioner, Anna Gomez, as she sits down to talk with FBA’s President and CEO, Gary Bolton to discuss all things broadband.

The conversation will explore the tradeoffs between fiber and other technologies like satellite and fixed wireless—and why she believes fiber is best positioned to support emerging applications like artificial intelligence (AI) and long-term economic growth for people, communities and business. Commissioner Gomez and Gary will also discuss her ideas regarding the need for streamlined regulatory processes and strong public/private partnerships, particularly with utility companies, to accelerate broadband deployment.

Additionally, the discussion will examine the current state of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), its role in closing the digital divide and address concerns about how the lack of renewed funding has disconnected millions of Americans from essential digital services and threatens the continued connectivity for millions more.

Don’t miss this compelling and timely conversation on the infrastructure, policy, and innovation driving America’s broadband future.

With Special Guest:

• Anna Gomez, Commisioner, Federal Communications Commition

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!

In February 2025, Michigan reached a major broadband milestone with the completion of a 130-mile fiber route from Southfield to Bay City, led by 123Net. This critical infrastructure runs through key communities along the I-75 corridor—including Pontiac, Fenton, Flint, and Saginaw—boosting access, improving reliability, and unlocking new business opportunities.

For property owners and developers, fiber is no longer just a utility—it’s a competitive edge. With 90% of renters rating high-speed internet as essential, properties with fiber connectivity can see rental rates climb by up to 8%, while property values rise by an average of 2.8%. In short, fiber doesn’t just connect—it adds real, measurable value.

Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Chuck Irvin, Chief Revenue Office (CRO) of 123Net, sits down with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss how this investment is laying the foundation for a more connected Michigan—and how it’s opening doors for increased Net Operating Income (NOI) and long-term growth.

Whether you’re in broadband, real estate, or anywhere in between, this conversation will show you how fiber infrastructure is fueling more than fast internet—it’s driving profitability.

With Special Guest:

• Chuck Irvine, Chief Revenue Officer, 123Net

Read the full Fiber for Breakfast summary article here!