Guest: Gary Bolton, president, Fiber Broadband Association (FBA)

Gary Bolton, president of the <a href="https://www.fiberbroadband.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fiber Broadband Association</a>, returns to the podcast to discuss how the fiber industry's advocacy efforts are changing as the US federal government implements its $65 billion broadband bill. We also discuss FBA's forthcoming fiber optic technician training program, broadband mapping woes at the FCC and more.

The Divide: Gary Bolton on taking fiber advocacy to the states

Guest: John Paul Farmer, CIO and president, WeLink Cities

In this episode, we hear from John Paul Farmer, chief innovation officer at&nbsp;<a href="https://cities.welink.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WeLink Cities</a>, and the former chief technology officer of New York City. We discuss the fixed wireless technology WeLink is using to deploy broadband in cities, and the company's efforts to deliver affordable service. We also get into WeLink's new&nbsp;<a href="https://cities.welink.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cities Challenge</a>: a $100 million effort to partner with cities on rapid broadband deployments.

The Divide: WeLink's John Paul Farmer on bringing affordable broadband to cities

Guest: US Ignite's PAWR Program Director Mari Silbey

US Ignite's Mari Silbey discusses how public-private partnerships can help with some big 5G issues, like resolving the technical challenges in open RAN networks and feeding better network data sets to AI and machine learning engines.

Wireless testbed research can help smash tech silos

Guest: Joe Kochan, Executive Director, National Spectrum Consortium (NSC)

Joe Kochan, a telecom veteran and former CEO of US Ignite, talks to Light Reading about his new role as the executive director at the National Spectrum Consortium (NSC), where he aims to promote stronger tech partnerships between government, academia and industry.

Unlocking new tech possibilities with spectrum

On this episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Page, national sales director at&nbsp;<a href="https://ribboncommunications.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ribbon Communications</a>; and Aaron Young, chief operating officer at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tricoconnections.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tri-Co Connections</a>, a fiber broadband provider in rural Pennsylvania powered by Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, and a customer of Ribbon's. We discuss why, how and when Tri-Co started deploying broadband to its service area and the state of its rollout, why electric co-ops are well-placed to fill in broadband gaps in the rural US, Ribbon's role in rural broadband delivery – and much more.

The Divide: How rural electric co-ops like Tri-Co are closing deep broadband gaps

Guest: Mike Dano, Editorial Director, 5G & Mobile Strategies, Light Reading

Light Reading's Mike Dano joins the podcast to discuss Dish Network's 5G-focused&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lightreading.com/open-ran/four-5g-takeaways-from-dishs-big-analyst-day/a/d-id/777498" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">analyst day event</a>. Dano explains analysts' reactions to Dish's business projections, what Dish has planned for the retail space and for enterprise private wireless customers, the launch of Boost Infinite and more.

What's the Story? Dish Network's unwavering optimism for 5G

Guest: Diane Christman, CEO, The Cable Center

In this podcast, Diane Christman, new CEO of The Cable Center, digs into the genesis, purpose and takeaways of the organization's first annual <a href="https://www.cablecenter.org/2022innovationreport" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Intrapreneurship &amp; Innovation Report</a>, and offers a look ahead to this year's Cable Hall of Fame event in New York.

The Cable Center CEO on how the industry must innovate from within to drive change

Guests: Rachel Mukai Stark, smart cities program manager, Charlotte, North Carolina; and Bruce Clark, executive director, Digital Charlotte

This episode features Rachel Mukai Stark, smart cities program manager for the city of <a href="https://charlottenc.gov/smartclt/Pages/Smart-Charlotte-Home.aspx#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Charlotte%20has%20a%20three%2Dyear%20digital%20alliance,Smart%20Cities%20startups%20and%20innovators." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Charlotte, North Carolina</a>; and Bruce Clark, executive director for the <a href="https://thecenterfordigitalequity.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Center for Digital Equity</a> at Queen's University of Charlotte. We discuss how broadband access in Charlotte has changed over the years, what's causing the digital divide and the city's roadmap to closing it, the importance of connecting communities with opportunities for digital training and more.

The Divide: Closing the broadband adoption gap in Charlotte, North Carolina

Guest: Pablo Tomasi, Principal Analyst, Omdia

Omdia Principal Analyst Pablo Tomasi returns to the podcast with an update on the industry's progress in deploying private 5G networks. He explains why there's a land grab for logos and how the rush to identify partners in this space could present new challenges in the future. "You need to ensure your long-term view and the long-term view of your partners is well aligned," Tomasi says. "At the moment, everyone wants an ecosystem and as many partners as they can get, and that could present a bit of a challenge going forward." In addition, Tomasi shares where service providers and enterprises are finding success in the private network market, and why Verizon chose to partner with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lightreading.com/the-edge/verizons-sowmyanarayan-on-how-fwa-supports-edge-computing-private-wireless/d/d-id/775756" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">private-wireless startup Celona</a>&nbsp;as part of its private network strategy. Here are just a few things covered in this podcast episode:<ul><li>Changes to the competitive landscape for private 5G networks (01:25)</li><li>Identifying experts and partners in a crowded market (03:21)</li><li>Setting realistic expectations for private networks (08:15)</li><li>Service provider case studies for success in the market (11:10)</li><li>Most successful verticals deploying private networks so far (14:23)</li><li>Replicating private network deployments (18:30)</li></ul> Related stories and links:<ul><li><a href="https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3681504/1F06D7C6D17D8742FD7B7C0A363A5BF1?partnerref=11Mar2022Omdia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MWC 2022 wrap-up: Exploring key developments and implications</a></li><li><a href="https://www.lightreading.com/private-networks/omdias-pablo-tomasi-why-2022-wont-be-the-year-of-5g-private-networks/v/d-id/774526" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Omdia's Pablo Tomasi: Why 2022 won't be the year of 5G private networks</a></li><li><a href="https://www.lightreading.com/private-networks/csps-got-it-all-to-prove-with-private-5g-networks---omdia/d/d-id/774303" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CSPs got it all to prove with private 5G networks – Omdia</a></li></ul>

Omdia's Pablo Tomasi: A cautionary tale about private 5G networks

Light Reading's Mike Dano joins the podcast to discuss recent pricing changes by T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&amp;T. Dano explains why some service providers are increasing the price of mobile and fixed wireless services while others are announcing new deals for consumers, and what this means for the broader industry. Related posts:<ul><li><a href="https://www.lightreading.com/5g/t-mobile-ports-uncarrier-playbook-to-fwa/d/d-id/777282" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">T-Mobile ports 'uncarrier' playbook to FWA</a></li><li><a href="https://www.lightreading.com/5g/atandts-price-increase-could-send-customers-to-verizon/d/d-id/777245" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AT&amp;T's price increase could send customers to Verizon</a></li></ul>

What's the Story? Dano's deep dive on mobile service pricing

Telecom news, broadband policy, cats, food and more.

Light Reading Podcasts is the feed for The Light Reading Podcast, The Divide, What's the Story and more. Light Reading provides daily news, analysis and insight for the global communications networking and services industry. The publication was founded in 2000 and, since July 2016, has been a part of&nbsp;Informa Tech, a division of Informa PLC. The Light Reading Network, which includes targeted online communities like&nbsp;Connecting Africa,&nbsp;Broadband World News,&nbsp;Telecoms.com&nbsp;and&nbsp;The 5G Exchange, is part of Informa Tech's broader portfolio of specialist research, media, events and training to businesses and professionals working in technology.

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The Divide: Gary Bolton on taking fiber advocacy to the states

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Wireless testbed research can help smash tech silos

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The Divide: How rural electric co-ops like Tri-Co are closing deep broadband gaps