States are using digital equity plans to demonstrate how successful digital inclusion efforts can advance progress toward other goals, including improvements to civic and social engagement, economic development, education, health care, and delivery of essential services. For example, broader availability of affordable high-speed internet and digital skills can help residents access government services online, apply for jobs, take online classes, and use telehealth resources. Although these tasks are not the direct focus of the federal Digital Equity Act, measures that boost broadband adoption will enable more households to reap the benefits of the digital economy and multiply the effects of federal infrastructure dollars.

On this week’s Fiber for Breakfast, Kathryn de Wit, Project Director of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Broadband Access Initiative, joins Gary to discuss the economics and impact of digital equity investments. Topics will include:

• Aligning larger policy priorities with digital education
• States setting priorities based on local economies, priorities and industries
• The role of digital equity in enabling full participation in the modern economy and society

Special Guest:

Kathryn de Wit, Project Director, Broadband Access Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Around 62 million Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs), including at least 56 million U.S. households, currently lack fiber broadband access, even though some already have high-speed broadband. Studies show that fiber deployment offers substantial economic benefits beyond existing high-speed technologies, suggesting that public investment in fiber would yield high social returns. Programs like Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which prioritize fiber, are crucial for maximizing economic gains. Fiber deployment could increase housing values by $1.64 trillion and provide a income boost of $1.6 trillion in terms of net present value, primarily benefiting non-urban areas. Additionally, fiber could create 380,000 jobs, support remote work, and enhance educational and health outcomes. As a future-proof solution, fiber can meet rising connectivity demands, making it a strategic long-term investment for broadband infrastructure.

With Special Guests:

• Coleman Bazelon, Partner and Co-Lead of IP Practice, Brattle Group’s DC Office
• Paroma Sanyal, Partner and Co-Lead of Telecom, Media, and Entertainment Practice, Brattle Group’s DC Office

There is an urgent need to recruit and train 180,000 staff to complete federal and state-funded broadband networks. Who will do the work? Thanks to the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) the recently published “Broadband Market Workforce Needs” report details when, where, and what type of workforce is needed over a 10-year demand cycle. Join this session for insights into the workforce need to be measured by dollars and people, existing workforce supply, and wage rates for critical positions across the Broadband spectrum. The results are unique and unavailable elsewhere. We look forward to seeing you on Fiber for Breakfast on November 13th.

With Special Guest:

Mark Bridgers
Principal
Continuum Capital

Based on the 2024 Consumer study, Michael Render with RVA will share the latest on tested fiber advantages, as well as key messages for fiber that most resonate with consumers.

In addition, the session will highlight ways to build on fiber superiority with better service and maximize the capabilities of fiber with localized products that build on fiber attributes such as low latency.

The goal for fiber providers should be maximum satisfaction and trust resulting in higher take rates, higher net promoter scores, and higher retention rates.

Special Guest:

Michael Render, CEO & Principal Analyst, RVA LLC

Resources:

Episode Slides – FFB Week 45 – 11.06.24 – RVA

Join FBA’s President and CEO, Gary Bolton, in an enlightening chat on the importance fiber brings to communities and the opportunity to create strong connections through real estate industries. Matt Fowler, Executive Director of Doorify MLS in North Carolina, will discuss how they leverage fiber to attract buyers and sell homes in partnership with Fiber Homes and broadband service providers. Additional guests include John Sullivan, CRO at DxTEL/Fiber Homes and Amanda Scherer, director of solutions marketing at Adtran, to uncover how impactful these connections can be to service providers and their take rates.

Special Guests:
• Amanda Scherer, Director of Solutions Marketing, Adtran
• John Sullivan, Chief Revenue Officer, DxTEL/Fiber Homes
• Matt Fowler, Executive Director, Doorify MLS

As society continues to expand our digital universe, the development of broadband infrastructure has never been more vital, especially in underserved communities. The permitting processes required by federal, state, and local agencies play a crucial role in ensuring that broadband projects meet regulatory standards and serve the public interest. While these processes can be complex and involve coordination among numerous agencies, they are essential for the successful deployment of broadband infrastructure. Rather than viewing regulatory requirements as obstacles, operators can approach them as opportunities for partnership and collaboration in order to set themselves up for success.

This week, Gary welcomes Ryan Kudera, Manager of Client Services at Finley Engineering Company, to discuss Finley’s recently published whitepaper, “The Four Steps to Successfully Navigating Complex Permitting Processes”. The essential steps outlined in the paper enable efficient navigation of the permitting landscape, fostering smoother project implementation and ensuring that broadband services reach those who need them most.

With Special Guest:

Ryan Kudera, Manager, Client Services, Finley Engineering Company Inc.

What’s the real economic impact of digital equity? How does it affect the rate at which businesses open in rural communities? Does it increase income? How about GDP? These are the questions the Center of Rural Innovation (CORI) set out to answer in a ground-breaking, data-driven study to demonstrate the true value of reliable broadband in non-metro locations.

Join Gary Bolton, CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, as he sits down with Dr. Amanda Weinstein and Dr. Adam Dewbury to discuss the full impact of their study, “Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience.” Discover the methodology, metrics, and motives behind the research and learn about the case studies enforcing the findings in this eye-opening episode of Fiber for Breakfast.

Special Guests:

• Dr. Amanda Weinstein, Director of Research, Knowledge, and Evaluation, Center on Rural Innovation
• Dr. Adam Dewbury, Researcher, Center on Rural Innovation

This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Gary Bolton welcomes special guest Andy Berke, Administrator of Rural Utilities Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Andy Berke will discuss how the Rural Utilities Service is implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which, among other priorities, includes a historic $65 billion investment in broadband infrastructure.

Prior to his appointment as Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service by President Biden in 2022, Andy Berke served as a Special Representative for Broadband at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). As Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee from 2013 to 2021, Andy Berke received national recognition for improving access to high-speed internet for underserved communities.

Join us for this episode to discover how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Rural Utilities Service will help address the digital divide to ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet.

Special Guest:

Andy Berke, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

In the increasingly competitive gigabit broadband market, service providers need to look for ways to differentiate beyond offering more speed for the same or sometimes even discounted prices to avoid a dangerous race to the bottom. Focus on Quality of Experience and the home network is therefore key and connected home presents a significant revenue opportunity for North American digital service providers. But how can ISPs ensure that they get the most out of this opportunity and what are some of the areas of the connected home that can provide the biggest impact in terms of further monetization? This presentation will provide an overview of key trends in the North American residential broadband and connected home markets.

Special Guest:

Alzbeta Fellenbaum
Principal Analyst | 5G & Broadband, Pricing & Strategy
Omdia

We are at a critical moment when broadband infrastructure funding is at an all-time high due to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program —the single largest broadband program in U.S. history. This historic level of funding creates an opportunity to bring high-speed internet access to every community in America and close the digital divide.

Historic levels of funding will accelerate broadband network construction, putting enormous pressure on local governments responsible for permitting infrastructure construction within municipal boundaries. These processes take time and resources, and not every government is equipped for the coming wave of construction. This is especially true in rural areas, where municipal resources are lowest and BEAD activity will be highest.

Effective and efficient permitting processes are critical for ISPs and local governments to successfully deploy broadband networks that will give every American community modern connectivity. Permitting Success Strategies for ISPs and Local Governments a paper offering solutions for permitting was published on September 4, 2024 by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Please join the author of the paper and permitting experts who will discuss the paper and its content.

Special Guests:

• Drew Garner, Director of Policy Engagement, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
• Ian Linssen, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Mesa
• Bailey Edenburn, Manager, Champaign County Farm Bureau
• Carsi Mitzner, Government Affairs Director, Brightspeed
• Jill Springer, Chief Environmental Review & Permitting Officer, NTIA

The Canadian Telecommunications Association (“CTA”) and Fiber Broadband Association (“FBA”) share many similar priorities including how each helps the industry, and its members, connect and invest in communities as a means of creating paths to better economic futures. While the realities of connecting everyone, everywhere vary on each side of the border based on different regulatory environments, demographics, and geographies, telecommunications providers in both countries are investing significantly to expand and enhance connectivity to homes and businesses across North America. Join CTA President and CEO, Robert Ghiz, and FBA President and CEO, Gary Bolton, for a conversation about the similarities and differences of closing the digital divide in the U.S. and Canada.

Special Guest:

Robert Ghiz, President and CEO, Canadian Telecommunications Association

Retaining sovereignty while tackling the digital divide remains challenging for Indigenous communities across Canada. Education, workforce development, funding, and community participation all require unique skillsets to get a Nation’s buy-in. Finding the resources and the people to help make these dreams a reality can pose a significant hurdle in connecting these communities to high-speed broadband.

The Indigenous Connectivity Institute is leading the charge to help these communities get the education and resources to build their own internet networks. Join Gary Bolton as he sits down with Mark Buell and Frank Horn to discuss the unique challenges and solutions to help spur internet connectivity across Indigenous lands.

Special Guests:

• Mark Buell, Director of Indigenous Programs, The Indigenous Connectivity Institute
• Frank Horn, Director – Workforce Development, The Indigenous Connectivity Institute