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Light Reading Podcasts
The Divide: Internet Society Foundation aims to bolster broadband with global grants
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On this episode, we hear from Sarah Armstrong, executive director of the Internet Society Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization founded in 2019 to support the Internet Society's vision of an open Internet for everyone, everywhere.
The Internet Society Foundation is currently reviewing a round of grant applications from entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, Senegal and Colombia for local digital literacy and Internet adoption initiatives. Winners are eligible for grants of $150,000 each for projects lasting up to 24 months.
We discuss the Internet Society Foundation's work to tackle the digital divide and the various challenges to broadband access and adoption around the world, and how the organization is using its "SCILLS" grant program to promote education and economic growth through community-led Internet initiatives.
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34:59||Season 6Former FCC official Blair Levin joins the podcast to discuss BEAD program updates and how the federal government can best prepare for the future of connectivity and AI as we mark 30 years of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
The Divide: Carol Mattey on BEAD hope and hysteria, and stalled USF reform
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Cable shows signs of improvement, but is it out of the woods?
29:24||Season 1New Street Research's Vikash Harlalka joins the podcast to discuss cable's latest round of financial results, including the improvements and the significant challenges the industry will continue to face in 2026.
The Divide: IEEE's David Witkowski on broadband progress and the AI impact
34:34||Season 6This week: IEEE Senior Member David Witkowski joins the podcast to catch up on topics impacting the connectivity landscape – from the BEAD program to the evolution of FWA and satellite broadband to the growth of AI.
From Risk to Opportunity: How Network Operators Can Leverage Resilient Positioning, Navigation & Timing
28:02||Season 5With GPS supporting so much of the U.S’s critical infrastructure, it is a known single point of risk. NextNav’s Mariam Sorond joins Light Reading to discuss how operators whose own networks are vulnerable to GPS attacks, can help solve the national security challenge with GPS, secure their networks with a resilient terrestrial timing back-up and open up opportunities by offering 3D PNT capabilities. Sponsored by NextNav.
Is cable approaching a tipping point on PON?
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The Divide: Shirley Bloomfield on rural broadband progress, BEAD's 'bargain' and USF
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AT&T's copper shutdown project takes 'wireless-first' approach
38:32||Season 1Amid more FCC approvals for its copper shutdown plan, AT&T is initially targeting customer service migrations with wireless connections ahead of future fiber builds, says AT&T's Susan Johnson.