In this episode of the Closing the Digital Divide podcast, we sit down with Scott D. Woods, Esq., President of Public-Private Partnerships at Ready.net, to discuss the current status of the BEAD program across the states following the NTIA’s latest guidance. Scott offers expert insight into how states are adjusting their plans, the implications of technology-neutral funding, the evolving role of the Independent Certifier, and the critical workforce and partnership challenges that lie ahead. It’s a timely and essential conversation for anyone tracking the future of broadband deployment in America.

Gary Bolton, President and CEO at Fiber Broadband Association, describes the role fiber plays in "Closing The Digital Divide"

• (00:00:00) - Broadband Infrastructure: The Tech You Need to Know
• (00:00:47) - Closing the Digital Divide
• (00:03:14) - Fiber Broadband: Its Role in Closing the Digital Divide
• (00:04:43) - Why is fiber the gold standard for broadband infrastructure?
• (00:07:20) - Federal broadband programs have struggled
• (00:13:02) - NTIA: Technology Neutral vs Fiber Priorities
• (00:18:37) - How to Support Fiber Deployment in Rural Communities
• (00:23:48) - Economic impacts of fiber deployment
• (00:26:39) - Broadband connectivity in rural areas
• (00:29:23) - How does fiber deployment today prepare communities for emerging technologies?
• (00:32:16) - WSJD Live: Workforce Development
• (00:36:27) - A Taste of Alaska
• (00:37:02) - Fiber Broadband Association
• (00:39:05) - Getting Everyone Connected With Fiber

Explore the future of Agentic AI with Ron Westfall, HyperFRAME Practice Lead, specializing in Digital Transformation, 5G, AI, Security, Cloud Computing, IoT, and data centers. Together, we discuss the prospects for AI Agents and how they are uniquely positioned to serve as collaborators. This involves setting up appropriate guardrails, preparing teams to work alongside AI agents, and cultivating high-performing, human-AI teams. Ultimately, it’s about creating a partnership where humans and AI complement each other’s strengths and evolve together over time.

Fun talk with Claude Aiken, Chief Strategy Officer/Chief Legal Officer at Nextlink Internet. I check in with Claude on how NextLink invests in the communities it serves, navigating the uncertainty of a changing political landscape.