Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

Bölümler

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  FFB Episode 296: Beyond the Build: The Future of State Broadband 16.09.2026 32dk

  What happens when major broadband grants wind down? Revati Prasad, Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to explore the future role of state broadband offices and the challenges of sustaining capacity for mapping, oversight, affordability and digital opportunity. Drawing on additional research with State Broadband Officers, Revati will also share findings from Benton’s ISP focus groups examining the practical barriers to deployment—including permitting, workforce, supply chain and state-provider coordination—and the solutions that can accelerate broadband buildout while maintaining accountability and consumer protections. With Special Guest:  Revati Prasad, Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
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  FFB Episode 295: Washington’s Broadband Buildout: What’s Happening Now? 09.09.2026 33dk

  When Jordan Arnold became Director of the Washington State Broadband Office in January 2026, the state was on the cusp of a major broadband milestone. Just weeks later, Washington received federal approval for its final BEAD proposal, unlocking more than $1 billion in investment for broadband expansion. Now, almost nine months into her role, Jordan joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss how Washington’s broadband strategy is taking shape and what this early implementation phase is revealing. From moving BEAD from approval to implementation to addressing the realities of deploying resilient networks in a state increasingly impacted by wildfires and other natural disasters, Jordan will share the challenges, solutions, and lessons emerging along the way. How can Washington build networks that not only connect communities, but keep them connected when they need communications most? With Special Guest: Jordan Arnold, Washington State Broadband Director
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  FFB Episode 294: Scaling Fiber in a Competitive Era: A Conversation with Fidium’s CEO 02.09.2026 33dk

  In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, sits down with Gaurav Juneja, CEO of Fidium, to discuss the company’s next phase as a fiber-first operator. With a network spanning more than 76,000 fiber route miles, Juneja shares how Fidium is accelerating expansion, enhancing customer experience, and leveraging new capital strategies to scale. The conversation also explores Fidium’s push into wholesale and data center connectivity, its rural market advantage, and what these moves signal for the telecom landscape as competition intensifies and fiber investment surges. With Special Guest: Gaurav Juneja, CEO, Fidium
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  FFB Episode 293: The Predictability Imperative: How AI Is Helping Fiber Providers Compete in an Uncertain Market 26.08.2026 36dk

  AI has moved beyond experimentation for forward-looking fiber providers. The real question is no longer whether AI can automate tasks. It is how organizations can leverage it securely and at scale to operate with greater consistency, confidence, and predictability, so providers of any size can compete and win across residential, business, MDU, and community markets. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Michael Weening, CEO of Calix, joins Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss how providers are building secure agentic workflows and evolving the operating model required to compete and win in the AI era. The conversation will explore how providers are achieving early wins by scaling expertise, accelerating differentiated subscriber experiences, creating new capacity for growth, and delivering more predictable business outcomes. With Special Guest: Michael Weening, President & CEO, Calix
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  FFB Episode 292: EPB Quantum Computer: From Municipal Energy to Quantum Tech 19.08.2026 31dk

  EPB has evolved from a leading municipal utility to a national model for advanced fiber optic infrastructure – and is now focused on establishing Chattanooga as a hub for quantum technology. As the operator of the world's fastest community-wide internet since 2010, EPB's leadership in establishing commercially available quantum networking and computing is contributing to solutions from cybersecurity to grid optimization today. On the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Janet Rehberg, President & CEO-Elect of EPB, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss how EPB is leveraging its fiber network to lead the next wave of innovation in quantum networking, computing, and the future of connected communities. With Special Guest: Janet Rehberg, President & CEO-Elect, EPB
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  FFB Episode 291: Beyond the Build: Monetizing Fiber for Long-Term Advantage 12.08.2026 32dk

  As fiber networks mature, the challenge is no longer just deployment – it’s maximizing value, differentiation, and long-term scalability. In this episode, Darren Farnan, General Manager of United Fiber joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association to explore how providers can deliver ARPU growth through deeper residential and commercial service adoption, while enhancing customer satisfaction. Darren will share how United Fiber is competing and winning in an increasingly crowded market by leaning into local advantage, transparent pricing, and superior customer experience. Finally, they’ll dive into the role of XGS-PON and multi-gig upgrades in future-proofing networks and enabling new revenue opportunities in the next era of fiber broadband. With Special Guest: Darren Farnen, General Manager, United Fiber
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  FFB Episode 290: AI Runs on Fiber: How Networks Are Evolving 05.08.2026 33dk

  Artificial intelligence is transforming telecom networks—from how they are designed and operated to how service providers optimize performance, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. As AI adoption accelerates, what changes should network operators be preparing for, and where will AI have the greatest impact? On this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, sits down with Roger Entner, Founder and Analyst at Recon Analytics, to discuss how AI is reshaping telecom, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and why robust fiber infrastructure is essential to powering the AI-driven networks of the future. With Special Guest: Roger Entner, Analyst and Founder, Recon Analytics
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  FFB Episode 289: Save Our E-Rate: The Fight to Protect Broadband for Schools and Libraries 29.07.2026 30dk

  The E-Rate program has connected virtually every school and library in America to broadband, growing classroom internet access from just 14% in 1996 to near-universal today. But for the first time in the program's nearly 30-year history, the FCC is asking whether E-Rate should be terminated. On this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, welcomes Joey Wender, Executive Director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, to discuss what's at stake for anchor institutions and the fiber networks that serve them. Together, they explore the FCC's top-to-bottom E-Rate proceeding and the Save Our E-Rate campaign, the pending Universal Service Fund litigation, how BEAD and E-Rate complement one another, and how schools, libraries, and providers can make their voices heard before the comment window closes. With Special Guest: Joey Wender, Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
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  FFB Episode 288: Right of Way Wars: Winning the Fiber Deployment Battle 22.07.2026 30dk

  As fiber deployments accelerate nationwide, one major challenge continues to delay projects and increase costs: right-of-way and permitting issues. Too often, broadband providers, municipalities, and contractors face unnecessary expenses and setbacks simply because they lack the expertise to navigate complex regulatory and infrastructure hurdles. On this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Dave Thomas, CEO, Eagle 1 Resources joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of FBA to discuss how industry experts can help teams strategically overcome right-of-way obstacles, avoid costly mistakes, and keep fiber builds on track. With Special Guest: Dave Thomas, CEO, Eagle 1 Resources, LLC
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  FFB Episode 287: Intelligent Oversight: How AI is Changing BEAD Compliance 15.07.2026 32dk

  The BEAD program represents a once-in-a-generation investment, but it also creates a major oversight challenge for state broadband offices. How can states ensure every project meets specifications without stretching staff or exhausting limited budgets? On this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Colin Reilly, Vice President of Data Strategy & Technical Services at Connected Nation, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss a smarter approach. Using a proprietary risk-modeling framework powered by machine learning and statistical sampling, Connected Nation helps transform grant monitoring from a reactive burden into a proactive strategy. By identifying high-risk projects early and using milestone-based checkpoints, states and subgrantees can collaborate more effectively, avoid end-of-project surprises, and maximize the impact of BEAD investments while accelerating efforts to close the digital divide. With Special Guest: Colin Reilly, VP, Data Strategy & Technical Services, Connected Nation
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  FFB Episode 286: Optical Fibre and Cable Market Outlook: The Role of Hollow-Core and Multicore Fiber 08.07.2026 33dk

  In this week’s episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Ahmed Ali, Senior Analyst and Lead of CRU’s Optical Fibre and Cable Service, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss how AI, cloud and data centre growth are reshaping the requirements placed on optical networks. While conventional single-mode fibre will remain the foundation of global connectivity, some high-performance applications are beginning to push practical limits around latency, capacity density, signal integrity and physical infrastructure. The conversation will examine where hollow-core fibre (HCF) and multicore fibre (MCF) fit within this evolving market, including their potential role in data centre interconnect, high-density data centre environments and other specialist network applications. The discussion will also explore demand trends, early trials and commercial signals, barriers to adoption, and the latest market outlook covering supply-chain implications, manufacturing scalability, standards development and strategic considerations for fibre buyers and producers. With Special Guest: Ahmed Ali, Lead, Optical Fibre & Cable Service, CRU Group
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  FFB Episode 285: The Quantum Edge: Why Fiber Providers Should Pay Attention Now 01.07.2026 32dk

  Quantum networking is quickly moving from research concept to infrastructure conversation—and fiber providers may already hold the foundation. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Professor Prem Kumar, Director, Center of Photonic Communications and Computing at Northwestern University joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to explore how existing fiber infrastructure can support next-generation quantum technologies. Drawing on recent breakthroughs in transmitting quantum signals alongside high-capacity classical traffic, the discussion will examine how operators can leverage today’s optical networks to enable future applications including quantum communications, distributed computing, synchronization, and secure data exchange. Learn why the path to quantum may not require rebuilding networks—but evolving the fiber assets already in place. With Special Guest: Professor Prem Kumar, Director, Center of Photonic Communications and Computing, Northwestern University
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  FFB Episode 284 - Building AI-Ready Networks: The Next Evolution of Broadband 01.07.2026 33dk

  AI is transforming broadband networks from simple connectivity platforms into intelligent infrastructures that can predict, adapt, and optimize performance in real time. As AI applications drive new traffic patterns, latency requirements, and customer expectations, service providers face both significant challenges and new revenue opportunities. On this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, welcomes Robin Olds, Senior Sales Business Development Manager from Cisco's Americas Service Provider organization, to discuss what it takes to build AI-ready networks. Together, they explore network modernization, automation, observability, edge computing, and strategies for monetizing AI-driven services. Register now! With Special Guest: Robin Olds, Senior Sales Business Development Manager, Broadband Program Office, Americas Service Provider, Cisco
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  FFB Episode 283: Fiber Technology Trends: Key Takeaways from S&P Global’s Annual Operator Surveys 17.06.2026 34dk

  FTTH technology is clearly the “end game” solution for wireline broadband access services, however, the speed and scope of operator migration to full-fiber networks varies widely, depending on factors such as operator roadmaps and competitive landscape conditions. On the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Erik Keith, Principal Analyst for Broadband Infrastructure at S&P Global Market Intelligence, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss key findings from S&P’s most recent global surveys of telecom and cable operators. The conversation will examine key factors in the ongoing evolution towards more pervasive FTTH network deployments, including data points from both the telco and cable operator perspectives.  With Special Guest: Erik M. Keith, Principal Analyst for Broadband Infrastructure at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan
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  FFB Episode 282 - HyperFRAME Research Lens: State of I&O Strategy in AI Era 2H 2026 10.06.2026 33dk

  AI is rapidly reshaping enterprise infrastructure and operations (I&O), placing new demands on compute, networking, virtualization, security, and talent management. On the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Ron Westfall, Vice President and Practice Leader for Infrastructure and Networking at HyperFRAME Research, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss new global research examining how enterprises are adapting I&O strategies for the AI era. The conversation explores how organizations are prioritizing investments, scaling data and network infrastructure, and addressing operational complexity to move AI from experimentation to secure, production-ready deployment. With Special Guest: Ron Westfall, VP and Practice Leader for Insfrastructure and Networking, HyperFRAME Research
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  FFB Episode 281 - Broadband Access and Home Networking Forecast 03.06.2026 32dk

  In this episode, we explore the latest Dell’Oro Group Broadband Access and Home Networking forecast and what it signals for cable, fiber, and fixed wireless providers worldwide. After three consecutive years of revenue declines, the market is projected to grow at just a 0.3% CAGR through 2030, with another dip expected in 2025 before a potential rebound in 2026 driven by DOCSIS 4.0 and XGS-PON rollouts. Jeff Heynen, Vice President of Broadband Access and Home Networking Research at Dell’Oro Group, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to break down what this means for network operators — from timing infrastructure investments and managing capital amid macro uncertainty to balancing fiber expansion with cable upgrades and planning for moderating bandwidth growth. The message is clear: disciplined deployment decisions over the next three years will shape long-term competitiveness and ROI. With Special Guest: Jeff Heynen, VP of Broadband Access and Home Networking Research, Dell'Oro Group
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  FFB Episode 280: New RVA/FBA Consumer Research: Fiber’s Role in a Disruptive Era: AI, Video Proliferation, and Counter-Urbanization 27.05.2026 30dk

  The 2026 study of the general public across the U.S. and Canada takes the deepest market research dive yet into attitudes toward and participation in AI, as well as other emerging societal shifts. A key component of the study explores the evolving role of fiber as these trends continue to develop. Join us for the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Michael Render, CEO of RVA LLC, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to discuss new perspectives on fiber’s current and future role. A deeper understanding of these paradigm shifts is critical for fiber manufacturers, installers, service providers, and end users alike. Register now! With Special Guest: Michael Render, CEO, RVA LLC
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  FFB Episode 279: Fiber in the Fast Lane: Powering the Autonomous Future 13.05.2026 32dk

  Autonomous vehicles are moving beyond early pilot programs and driving a multi-million-dollar industry. Goldman Sachs Research forecasts that the robotaxi rideshare market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 90% from 2025 to 2030. While AVs make split-second driving decisions onboard, low-latency fiber infrastructure is critical to supporting backend operations. Join Clayton Tino, President & COO of Beep, Inc., and Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, as they discuss how fiber powers the AV ecosystem—delivering the reliability, scalability, and efficiency required to operate at scale. With Special Guest: Clayton Tino, President and COO, Beep Inc.
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  FFB Episode 278 - The Fourth Pillar of the A.I. Era 06.05.2026 33dk

  As AI evolves from centralized data centers to massive, distributed systems, the physical layer—glass and photons—is becoming the true architecture of intelligence. Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Allan Isfan, AI, Telecom, and Streaming Executive at AI Squared, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to explore fiber as the “Fourth Pillar” of AI. Together, they’ll unpack how fiber serves as the nervous and circulatory system of modern intelligence, why legacy networks are reaching a structural ceiling, and what it takes for operators to evolve from bandwidth providers to AI architects. Don’t miss this deep dive into the infrastructure powering the AI era. Register now! With Special Guest: Alan Isfan, AI Telecom, and Streaming Executive, AI Squared
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  FFB Episode 277 - The Fiber Network Consolidation Wave: Are you ready? 29.04.2026 35dk

  The U.S. fiber market has entered a phase of consolidation, with larger operators acquiring smaller networks at an accelerating pace. Integration can unlock scale and efficiency, but execution risk varies widely by architecture, technology stack, and operational maturity. Which networks integrate cleanly—and where do problems emerge? Join us as Jack Burton and David Strauss of BSP Technical Advisors, talk with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, for a practical discussion on readiness, risk, and value creation. Register now! With Special Guests: Jack Burton, Principal and Co-Founder, BSP Technical Advisors David Strauss, Principal and Co-Founder, BSP Technical Advisors