In this two-part episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined again by Sean Gonsalves, Jordan Pittman, and Karl Bode for a beginning conversation about SpaceX, Starlink, Wall Street, and what Chris describes as a potentially dangerous moment for the telecommunications industry.

The group digs into the recent SpaceX IPO, Starlink’s role within the company, and concerns about valuation, capacity constraints, customer service, and the growing narrative that satellite service can replace existing communications infrastructure. Along the way, they discuss Universal Service, rural broadband, market incentives, and why understanding how networks actually work still matters.

They also reflect on Wall Street, financial engineering, and whether investors are being asked to believe promises that may be difficult to deliver. Chris, Sean, Jordan, and Karl debate what happens when hype, markets, AI, and telecommunications collide, and what the consequences could be for communities, customers, and the broader economy.

In the second half of the episode, Chris is joined by Jeff Gavlinski for a preview of this year's Mountain Connect conference in Denver. Jeff shares how the event is evolving, from hosted buyer programs and roundtable discussions to new networking formats focused on creating connections and outcomes. The conversation explores what makes Mountain Connect different, the value of independent industry events, and why bringing people together remains one of the most important parts of the broadband ecosystem.

This show is 54 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Whitedrift for the song Operator, licensed Creative Commons Attribution (3.0).

In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Valerie Dodd and Scott Rochat for a conversation about the history, growth, and continued success of Longmont's NextLight fiber network.

They begin with some recent recognition for NextLight, including being named the number one Internet Service Provider in the country, the top municipal ISP, the most recommended provider, and the highest-value provider according to customer surveys. Valerie reflects on the network's continued growth and why community support has become one of its greatest strengths.

From there, the conversation turns to the history of the network, from Longmont's early investment in fiber infrastructure to the community campaigns that helped secure voter approval for city-owned broadband despite significant opposition spending. Scott shares stories from the effort to build the network and how public support continued to grow over time.

Chris, Valerie, and Scott also discuss lessons learned along the way, including managing rapid growth, maintaining customer trust, planning for success, and avoiding common mistakes. They reflect on what it takes to build and sustain a community-owned network and why success requires both local leadership and long-term commitment.

The episode also explores NextLight's commitment to affordability and accessibility. Valerie explains how Longmont developed discounted service offerings, expanded support during the pandemic, and continued providing low-cost Internet options even after federal subsidy programs ended.

The conversation closes with a look at the network's financial position, including subscriber growth, debt repayment, and what comes next for one of the country's most successful municipal broadband networks. 

This show is 39 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Whitedrift for the song Operator, licensed Creative Commons Attribution (3.0).

In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined again by Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, for an ongoing conversation about one of the most ambitious efforts in the country to address the digital divide.

Josh explains how DigitalC evolved into a nonprofit Internet service provider serving Cleveland with next-generation fixed wireless technology. He shares how the organization built a citywide network, why it offers service starting at $18 per month, and what it means to be approaching 10,000 subscriber households serving more than 23,000 people.

Chris and Josh discuss the relationship between digital equity and everyday economics, including affordability, rising household costs, and why low-cost Internet service continues to resonate with residents. They also explore how DigitalC’s approach could influence the broader telecommunications industry, from pricing strategies to customer contracts.

The conversation also looks at the realities of operating a nonprofit ISP, including customer payments, subscriber growth, apartment building deployments, and the challenge of finding the right technology for different situations. Josh explains how DigitalC uses a mix of fixed wireless, existing infrastructure, and other solutions to reach both single-family homes and multi-dwelling units across the city.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Josh reflect on what it takes to build a sustainable model for connecting residents, why local solutions matter, and how communities can move beyond talking about the digital divide to actually closing it.

This show is 53 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Whitedrift for the song Operator, licensed Creative Commons Attribution (3.0).

In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris and Sean Gonsalves talk about Vermont’s push for universal connectivity, the future of Starlink and SpaceX, and major changes coming to Google Search.

They begin with Vermont and the state’s unique approach to broadband expansion through Communication Union Districts. Sean shares reporting on how Vermont is using local leadership, apprenticeship programs, community networks, and federal funding to bring fiber connectivity to the most rural state in the nation. You can find Sean's story about Vermont Closing In on Universal Broadband Access here.

Chris reflects on the long history behind these efforts, including earlier fights over wireless towers, Burlington Telecom, and the emergence of EC Fiber as a model for community broadband. 

Together, they discuss why Vermont’s approach “wasn’t inevitable,” and why local power and community organizing matter when building long-term infrastructure.

From there, the conversation turns to Starlink, SpaceX, and the future of the Universal Service Fund. Chris and Sean discuss Starlink’s rapid growth, SpaceX’s position on universal service, and concerns about replacing locally rooted providers with a monopoly platform that may not be able to serve everyone equally well. 

They also talk about rural connectivity, customer service, satellite capacity, and what happens when essential communications infrastructure is treated only as a market problem.

The episode closes with a “What the Tech!?!” segment focused on Google’s latest AI-powered search changes. Chris and Sean reflect on what it could mean for the future of the Internet, online content, platform economics, and the growing role of AI in everyday life. 

Along the way, they discuss “enshittification,” the pressure to monetize AI, and concerns about making human-created content harder to find online. 

This show is 30 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Whitedrift for the song Operator, licensed Creative Commons Attribution (3.0).