Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

What does it really take to age in place successfully? Beyond healthcare and housing, it’s about connection—and that’s where fiber broadband comes in. From telehealth and online learning to smart home safety and staying close to family, fiber is redefining what independence looks like for older adults. This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Tom Kamber, Founder & Executive Director at OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), from AARP a leader in helping older adults thrive with technology talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association and dives into how broadband is transforming aging in America, and why this presents both a responsibility and an opportunity for providers. With Special Guest: Tom Kamber, Founder & Executive Director at OATS (Older Adults Technology Services)

Discover how granular location and coverage data is transforming broadband deployment knowledge, funding planning and deployment strategies. Powered by tools like historical coverage data via CostQuest’s Time Series Dashboard and Broadband in America report, stakeholders now have unprecedented visibility into broadband availability and buildout trends for fiber and broadband technologies. This clarity enables both public and private entities to precisely target resources—time, capital, and infrastructure—toward markets that align with strategic goals. Join us for the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton, FBA’s President & CEO to hear from Jim Stegeman, CEO CostQuest on how CostQuest’s Fabric location level data along with the FCC’s Broadband Coverage data allow entities to identify build out trends and reveal true coverage gaps and create effective public and private funding strategies. With Special Guest: Jim Stegeman, CEO CostQuest

Network slicing is emerging as one of the most promising developments in broadband. By enabling real-time customization at the network level, slicing could allow customers to prioritize performance for specific needs—whether that’s streaming, gaming, remote work, or even short-lived secure connections for activities like online banking. But how close is this concept to reality, and what does it mean for providers and the broader industry? In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Nick Saporito, Head of Product at GFiber Labs, joins FBA President & CEO Gary Bolton to unpack the potential of network slicing, the role automation will play, and the steps needed before it can be widely deployed. With Special Guest: Nick Saporito, Head of Product at GFiber Labs

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program promises to transform connectivity in underserved communities — but securing funding has been anything but simple. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Bree Maki, Director of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share real-world challenges and best practices for navigating BEAD. From financing hurdles and Build America Buy America (BABA) compliance to permitting delays, pole access, workforce pressures, and shifting federal guidance, they break down the complexities providers face — and how the industry is adapting. With Special Guest: Bree Maki, Director of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development

As work, commerce, and society move online, reliable internet access has become essential. In 2000, only 1% of U.S. adults had home broadband, compared to 80% today. Without faster speeds and higher adoption, the U.S. would have lost $1.3 trillion in economic growth from 2010–2020. Since 1996, the private sector has invested $2.2 trillion in broadband infrastructure, with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act adding $65 billion in federal funds. Still, 10% of households (12.7 million) lack a broadband subscription. New investments aim to close this gap, but extreme weather and rapidly evolving technologies pose ongoing challenges. On our next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, join us as Ed Barrett, President of HR Green’s Broadband Business Unit talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and covers the latest broadband report card grade published by the American Society of Civil Engineers and covers important areas of research on broadband capacity, materials cost for last-mile broadband deployment methods, funding, operations and maintenance and more. *Telecom Advisory Services, “The Contribution of Fixed Broadband to the Economic Growth of the United States between 2010 and 2020,” 2022 With Special Guest: Ed Barrett, President of HR Green’s Broadband Business Unit

Delivering high-speed internet and voice services throughout the midwest, Nextlink Internet has experienced radical, organic growth over the past decade and has become the one of the largest wireless internet service providers in the nation. Nextlink differentiates itself based on an obsession with great customer service, whether the service is provided with wireless or fiber. Nextlink maintains redundancy and reliability by ensuring even in highly rural areas that it utilizes multiple wireless backhaul connections on licensed links, and has a healthy amount of fiber in its diet across its footprint. Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association about Nextlink’s expansion projects, recent deployments and its collaborative efforts with the Seward County Chamber of Commerce as they recently announced the grand opening of the county’s first Digital Empowerment Center.

Delivering high-speed internet and voice services throughout the midwest, Nextlink Internet has experienced radical, organic growth over the past decade and has become the one of the largest wireless internet service providers in the nation. Nextlink differentiates itself based on an obsession with great customer service, whether the service is provided with wireless or fiber. Nextlink maintains redundancy and reliability by ensuring even in highly rural areas that it utilizes multiple wireless backhaul connections on licensed links, and has a healthy amount of fiber in its diet across its footprint. Join us on the next episode of Fiber for Breakfast as Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink talks with Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association about Nextlink’s expansion projects, recent deployments and its collaborative efforts with the Seward County Chamber of Commerce as they recently announced the grand opening of the county’s first Digital Empowerment Center.

Broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for economic opportunity, education, and community resilience. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is meeting this need by investing in infrastructure through a deeply local, collaborative approach. This past June, MCA President Andrew Butcher hit the road in his 1984 Volkswagen van—affectionately known as “Buttercup”—traveling over 800 miles to visit 14 towns, 5 libraries, and 2 connectivity hubs, and connect with more than 150 community members and broadband partners across Maine to understand how we can both be more connected digitally and in real life. In this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, Andrew joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share stories from the road and insights into how strategic partnerships—with Tribal, municipal, nonprofit, and private stakeholders—are helping close the digital divide. With more than 86,000 homes and businesses connected in the past three years—a 26% increase in access—MCA is building more than just infrastructure; it’s shaping the future of equitable, sustainable connectivity. With Special Guest: Andrew Butcher, President, MCA

Fiber broadband is rapidly expanding across West Virginia, fueled by bold public-private partnerships and significant infrastructure investments. While meaningful progress has been made, many communities remain underserved or entirely unserved — underscoring the continued need for strategic broadband deployment. On our next episode of Fiber for Breakfast, join us as Jim Martin, President and CEO of Citynet, talks with Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to share how bold partnerships and targeted investments are transforming rural connectivity in West Virginia. With a spotlight on the recent $24.87 million USDA ReConnect award in Nicholas County, Martin will highlight how Citynet, a trusted, West Virginia-based fiber broadband provider is collaborating with local leaders to bring high-speed internet to thousands of underserved residents, farms, businesses, and community institutions. Discover how this project, and others like it, are reshaping the economic future of Appalachia and setting the stage for success under upcoming programs like BEAD and ARC. With Special Guest: Jim Martin, President and CEO of Citynet

FFB Episode 237 - Fidium Transforms New England’s Future with Fiber by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 236 - Continuing to Connect Wisconsin-Strategies for Statewide Broadband Access by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 235 – The Critical Role of Underground Construction in the Rush to Install Fiber by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 234 - Fireside Chat with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez: The Role of Fiber in Powering the Future by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 233 - Fiber Builds Value-Turning Connectivity into Revenue Along Michigan’s I-75 Corridor.mp4 by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 232 – Surf Internet’s 200k Fiber Passings Accelerating Rural Deployment Across the Great Lakes by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 231 - Agentic AI & the Future of Fiber: Powering Scalable, Resilient, and Intelligent Networks by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 230 - Connecting Our AI Future by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 229 – PHLConnectED, Philly Empowered_Linking Families to Opportunity.mov by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 228 – Fiber-Forward-Oklahoma’s Bold Path to Statewide Connectivity by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 227 - Project Nunapet- Connecting Tribal Communities and Culture Across Kodiak Island by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 226 - The Road to 50M Locations by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 225 – Navigating Tariff Turbulence – Implications for the FTTP Broadband Access Equipment Market by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 224 – From Access to Impact- A Major Push to Close the Digital Divide Across Michigan by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 223 - A Game-Changing Expansion for Cañon City’s Growth and Success by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 222 – Unlocking Nevada’s Digital Future by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 221 - The Fiber Hot Seat at Fiber Connect 2025 by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 220 - Using AI to Develop Stronger Connected Collaboration by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 219 - Where do we go from here_ North American Broadband Deployment Trends by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 218 - State of Maryland Bridges Digital Divide with New Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG) by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 217 - Working Together For The Betterment Of The Communications Industry by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 215 - How AI Accelerates Fiber Network Value by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 214 - Broadband Priorities In The New Administration Expanding Access, Speed, And Equity by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 213 - Wolfe Research Broadband Market Outlook by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 212 - The Smart Home In 2025 Outlook And Opportunities by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 211 - Mapping Broadband Coverage – Universal Access For All Virginia.mp4 by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 210 - Breaking Barriers Tackling Pole Attachment Challenges To Expand Rural Broadband by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 209 - Louisiana's Fiber Broadband First Mover Advantage by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 208 - Plans, Policies & Programs With Ariane Schaffer, FBA Board Chair by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 207 - FBA 2025 Events Reveal by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 206 - How Strong Is The Current And Future FTTH Market by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 205 - ACP Fall Out & Broadband Priorities In The New Administration by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 204 - Reflections From 33 Years In The Industry, And What's Next by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 203 - Making Sense Of The Dollars Spent On Digital Equity by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 202 - Economic Benefits Of Fiber Deployment by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 201 - FBA/PCCA Workforce Study: Who Will Get The Work Done As BEAD Money Begins To Flow by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Week 45 - Getting Even More From Fiber by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 199 - The Power And VALUE Of Fiber In The Home by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 198 - Four Steps To Successfully Navigating Complex Permitting Processes by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 197 - Fiber Boosts Income, Entrepreneurship & Business Investment In Rural America by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton

FFB Episode 196 - The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Historic Broadband Investment With Andy Berke by Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton