Best Fiberoptic Podcasts (2026)

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Year in Review 2025 - Episode 670 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 51:44

Play Pause

15h ago51:44

51:44

In this year-end roundtable, the Community Broadband Networks team looks back at their 2025 predictions—and reckons with what actually happened. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Telecom's Plumbing Problem: Routing, Regulation, and What Comes Next - Episode 669 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 1:02:03

24d ago1:02:03

1:02:03

Richard Shockey joins Chris Mitchell to explain how the collapse of the PSTN, weak federal oversight, and a messy transition to all-IP networks threaten everything from 911 reliability to rural connectivity. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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The Berkshires Broadband Movement: How 19 Small Towns Built Their Own Fiber Future - Episode 668 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 35:18

23d ago35:18

35:18

Chris Mitchell, Jess Auer, and David Kulp tell the inside story of how community determination transformed Internet access across Western Massachusetts. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Building Broadband from the Ground Up - Episode 667 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 32:44

27d ago32:44

32:44

Mauricio Rodriguez joins Chris to talk about permitting challenges, land negotiations, environmental surprises, and why setting standards and hiring the right people early is key to actually getting fiber in the ground. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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The Satellite Solution That Won’t Scale - Episode 666 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 49:17

1M ago49:17

49:17

Sascha Meinrath joins Chris to unpack how BEAD funding is drifting toward satellite solutions that can’t scale—and why misleading speed data, space congestion, and political pressure could derail real broadband progress ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Speed Tests and Why BEAD Keeps Getting Messier - Episode 665 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 28:16

2M ago28:16

28:16

Doug Dawson joins Chris to break down the latest shakeups in broadband policy, from ISPs gaming the data to NTIA’s controversial BEAD changes and what it all means for communities trying to connect. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Follow the Money: Comcast, Starlink, and the BEAD Backslide - Episode 664 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 27:53

2M ago27:53

27:53

Chris Mitchell, Karl Bode, and Sean Gonsalves break down the politics, corruption, and power plays shaping the broadband landscape—and what it all means for communities fighting for real Internet choice ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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After BEAD: The Future of Broadband and Accountability - Episode 663 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 39:32

3M ago39:32

39:32

Chris Mitchell and Jordan Pittman dig into what federal broadband funding missed, why affordability still looms as the biggest barrier, and how communities can keep pushing for real accountability and digital equity. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Don’t Break the Internet - Episode 662 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 34:59

3M ago34:59

34:59

By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Free Speech, AI Slop, and Media Power - Episode 661 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 31:44

3M ago31:44

31:44

In this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks with Karl Bode and Jordan Pittman to dig into free speech, media consolidation, and the flood of low-quality “AI slop” shaping how we experience the Internet today. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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How Rural America Gets Left Behind - Episode 660 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 48:02

3M ago48:02

48:02

Jonathan Chambers joins us to talk fiber, satellites, and the messy truth of federal broadband policy—and why evidence, not politics, should drive how we connect rural America. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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How Federal Changes Could Derail BEAD - Episode 659 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 40:53

4M ago40:53

40:53

Sarah Morris joins us to talk about the Trump administration’s push toward satellite, what it means for states on the frontlines, and why Congress’s original vision for closing the digital divide is at risk. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Episode 23: A Resurgence in the Skilled Trades 41:12

4M ago41:12

41:12

In this episode, we discuss the big resurgence the skilled trades are experiencing right now in the United States. With new government initiatives being put in place to incentivize a career in the skilled trades, now is the time to be a part of the industry! Like, Comment & Subscribe to hear about the latest innovations from Jonard Tools! Website: …

1
Gibson Connect's Rural Cooperative Model - Episode 658 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 26:38

5M ago26:38

26:38

Scott Goff of Gibson Connect joins the show to share how an electric co-op in Tennessee is transforming rural communities with reliable, affordable fiber broadband. He and Chris discuss overcoming state barriers, building trust, and why community-first models are key to closing the digital divide ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Sky High Promises: The Limits of Starlink - Episode 657 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 49:29

5M ago49:29

49:29

Sascha Meinrath returns to break down what Starlink gets right—and wrong—about solving the digital divide. He and the CBN Team take a hard look at the hype, the reality, and why magic-bullet solutions often distract from real, community-driven infrastructure. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Abundance for Whom? - Episode 656 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 39:50

6M ago39:50

39:50

Sascha Meinrath returns for a wide-ranging conversation on "Abundance" and what it gets right and wrong about broadband and public policy. He and Chris unpack the dangers of corporate-led infrastructure and why real abundance must center the public good. ★ Support this podcast ★By Institute for Local Self-Reliance

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Sludge, Lawsuits, and the Digital Divide: Unpacking the Latest Broadband Battles - Episode 655 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 33:59

6M ago33:59

33:59

In this episode of the podcast, Chris and Sean unpack the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Universal Service Fund (USF) and why it matters for millions of Americans. They also call out corporate “sludge” tactics and highlight a major lawsuit—filed by 21 states and D.C.—pushing back against the Trump administration’s attempt to cancel the Digi…

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Capital is Power: Financing Broadband for the Long Haul - Episode 654 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 30:54

6M ago30:54

30:54

In this episode of the podcast, Brian Vo and Clara Miller join the show to explore how communities can leverage mission-driven finance to build lasting broadband infrastructure. They highlight creative approaches to funding that prioritize community needs and long-term impact. ★ Support this podcast ★…

Fiberoptic Podcasts

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Community Broadband Bits

Institute for Local Self-Reliance

1
Tool Talk's podcast

Jonard Tools

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Year in Review 2025 - Episode 670 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 51:44

1
Telecom's Plumbing Problem: Routing, Regulation, and What Comes Next - Episode 669 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 1:02:03

1
The Berkshires Broadband Movement: How 19 Small Towns Built Their Own Fiber Future - Episode 668 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 35:18

1
Building Broadband from the Ground Up - Episode 667 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 32:44

1
The Satellite Solution That Won’t Scale - Episode 666 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 49:17

1
Speed Tests and Why BEAD Keeps Getting Messier - Episode 665 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 28:16

1
Follow the Money: Comcast, Starlink, and the BEAD Backslide - Episode 664 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 27:53

1
After BEAD: The Future of Broadband and Accountability - Episode 663 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 39:32

1
Don’t Break the Internet - Episode 662 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 34:59

1
Free Speech, AI Slop, and Media Power - Episode 661 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 31:44

1
How Rural America Gets Left Behind - Episode 660 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 48:02

1
How Federal Changes Could Derail BEAD - Episode 659 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 40:53

1
Episode 23: A Resurgence in the Skilled Trades 41:12

1
Gibson Connect's Rural Cooperative Model - Episode 658 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 26:38

1
Sky High Promises: The Limits of Starlink - Episode 657 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 49:29

1
Abundance for Whom? - Episode 656 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 39:50

1
Sludge, Lawsuits, and the Digital Divide: Unpacking the Latest Broadband Battles - Episode 655 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 33:59

1
Capital is Power: Financing Broadband for the Long Haul - Episode 654 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast 30:54