2026 Mountain Connect Preview

On October 15, the Fifth Circuit held in Consumers’ Research v. FCC that the Commission violated the Government Corporation Control Act by establishing USAC without specific congressional authorization. The three-judge panel was unanimous. It vacated the contribution rate for the fourth quarter of 2025 and sent the matter back to the agency. What is the impact of the ruling on the agency that administer's the USF on behalf of the FCC? Curtis chats with Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting and Christpher Mitchell with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance on what it means and what's next.

You've successfully launched your start-up broadband system, or you've completed your expansion into a new market. What's next? In this edition of Broadband Action, Curtis Dean chats with Shirley Bloomfield, former CEO of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, who shares her insights on what companies can do to keep improving operations beyond the build.Shirley can be reached at [email protected]

Curtis Dean with CBAN chats with Laura Lewis and David Robertsons, two of the principals at LRB Public Finance Advisors, a CBAN Associate Member. The two discuss how public broadband networks are financed and challenges the process presents.Visit their website to learn more.https://lrbfinance.com

Recorded during a session at Broadband Communities Summit in Houston on August 25, 2025, CBAN's Curtis Dean moderates a panel discussion on the challenges in operating an open access network. Panelists: Jeff Irwin, Utopia Fiber; David Chile, Anthem Broaband; and Ariane Schmidt, Spokane Retional Broadband Development Authority (Broadlinc).

Digital C is Cleveland's own nonprofit internet provider, built to reach the roughly one in three Cleveland households that traditional ISPs left behind. In this episode, host Curtis Dean talks with CEO Josh Edmonds about how Digital C uses a hybrid wireless-fiber network — rooftop radios beaming connectivity across the city — to deploy service in months instead of the decade a traditional fiber build can take. They cover the $18-a-month Canopy internet service, the Click digital skills program, and how Digital C's locally-owned model is now expanding beyond Cleveland into Detroit. It's a look at what community-driven broadband can do when a city hands the keys to a local provider instead of a national one.

CBAN's Curtis Dean recaps his experience at Fiber Connect 2026, presented by the Fiber Broadband Association.

What's new, what's next, and why Denver should be on every community broadband operator's calendarCurtis Dean sits down with Mountain Connect CEO Jeff Gavlinski for an inside look at one of the broadband industry's most anticipated annual gatherings. As the Mountain Connect conference prepares to welcome attendees to Denver, Jeff joins the show to pull back the curtain on what's in store — from session programming and keynote highlights to the new features and enhancements the Mountain Connect team has built specifically with attendees and sponsors in mind.

CBAN's Curtis Dean and Jon Willow chat with Mark Colwell, Executive Director of Mission Telecom. Mission Telecom provides low-cost 5G internet to nonprofits, schools, and libraries to help them close the digital divide.

As BEAD dollars begin to flow, and BEAD-funded projects begin construction, what impact will it have on the supply chain? Curtis Dean with CBAN discusses the challenges posed by BEAD with Ashley Travers with KGPCo and Lori Adams with Nokia.

In this episode of Broadband Action recorded at Connected America, we sit down with Catherine Krantz of Communities Unlimited to explore the essential role of technical assistance in closing the digital divide. Catherine dives into the organization’s mission to support communities facing significant broadband challenges, offering a roadmap for those who lack the resources to navigate complex infrastructure projects alone. From initial planning to overcoming technical roadblocks, we discuss how local leadership combined with expert guidance can transform a community’s digital future. Whether you are a small-town official or a local advocate, this conversation highlights the practical steps and collaborative spirit required to ensure no community is left offline.Communities Unlimited website: https://communitiesu.orgCatherine Krantz email: [email protected]