Broadband Pulse

In this Building Broadband episode of Broadband Pulse, we're tracking new broadband deployments from Comcast, Digital C, Intrepid Fiber Networks, Optimum, Shentel, STELLAR Broadband, and Wyyered Fiber. 
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

As the demands from AI have created new bandwidth expectations, the Optical Interoperability Forum (OIF) realizes that it has to respond to new demands for industry interoperability in near real time. This was reflected in the OIF’s Next Generation CEI-448G Framework Document, released at its recent Q4 2025 Technical and MA&E Committees Meeting. OIF’s CEI-448G Framework Document defines the application spaces, technical challenges and potential solution paths for electrical interfaces operating at 448 Gbps per lane.
During this podcast, we talked to two optical industry veterans about OIF’s recent CEI documents and its expectations for OIF’s first quarter 2026 Technical and MA&E Committees meeting at the OFC show in March:
Nathan Tracy, President of OIF
And
Cathy Liu, board member of OIF
Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:
Opening | 0:00
Host introduction of guests | 0:03
Update on recent OIF activities | 0:30Nathan Tracy and Kathy Liu address the OIF’s new CEI 448G framework.
Focus on interoperability | 2:00How AI/ML has created the hardest data rate jump it has ever faced.
OIF’s February Q1 meeting | 6:20Tracy and Liu give a preview of the OIF’s upcoming quarterly meeting and a preview of OFC activities.
Coherent optics | 10:24How the OIF can deliver value by creating coherent optic standards recommendations for shorter lengths, including in campus or building settings.
The Data Center Interconnect (DCI) opportunity |14:25 The OIF is helping its membership address the hyperscale and AI compute needs.
Final thoughts/closing | 16:30Tracy and Liu give their final thoughts about OIF's activities at their upcoming meeting and the OFC trade show in March. 
About our guests
Nathan Tracy, President of OIF Nathan Tracy currently serves as OIF’s President on the Board of Directors. Over the past 13 years, he has also served OIF as vice president of marketing, co-chair of the market awareness and education (MA&E) committee, technical committee chair, and technical committee vice chair. As a technologist on the system architecture team for the Digital Data Networks business unit at TE Connectivity (TE), he is responsible for driving standards activities and working with key customers to enable new system architecture. Tracy has more than 30 years of experience in technology development, marketing, and business development for TE, with a focus on RF/microwave and high-speed signaling technologies for the networking, telecom, wireless, automotive, and defense markets. He is also an active member of other industry standards and associations. He is currently a regular attendee and contributor to IEEE 802.3 and the Ethernet Alliance. Additionally, he is active in several industry MSAs and forums, where he has held leadership roles.
And Cathy Liu, board member of OIFCathy Liu, distinguished Engineer, currently leads Broadcom’s SerDes architecture and modeling group. Since 2002, she has been working on high-speed transceiver solutions. Previously, she developed read channel and mobile digital TV receiver solutions. She specializes in signal processing, FEC, and modeling for high-speed optical and electrical transceiver solutions, has published numerous journal and conference papers, and holds over 20 U.S. patents. She currently serves as the vice president of the board director of Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), a member of the board of advisors for the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) of University of California at Davis, a member of Signal Integrity Journal editorial advisory board, and the co-chair of the DesignCon technical track of high speed signal processing, equalization and coding. She received the DesignCon 2021 Engineer of the Year award. She earned her B.S. in Electronic Engineering from Tsinghua University in China and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Founded in 2023 in Houston, Texas, by Carter Old and SDC Capital Partners, Lyte Fiber focuses on delivering fiber-based broadband in Texas and beyond. Old, a former US Navy officer, has extensive experience in developing new approaches to broadband delivery and financial expertise across various industry segments. Lyte Fiber is not Old's first fiber rodeo. Before co-founding Lyte Fiber, he co-founded Tachus, which fellow fiber broadband provider Ezee Fiber recently acquired.
Lyte offers both residential and business internet service plans supported by an XGS-PON access network capable of delivering up to 10 Gbps. Today, Lyte Fiber serves nine Texas communities and plans to expand further in the coming year. Old acknowledged that while the fiber broadband industry is “really competitive,” there’s a big opportunity to address underserved communities with fiber-based broadband services.
Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:
Opening | 0.00
Host introduction of guests | 0:03
Founding Lyte Fiber | 0:18Old discusses how he worked with SDC Capital to form his latest startup.
Network expansion | 3:13How Lyte Fiber has prioritized fiber builds in underserved communities.
Engaging with communities | 5:35Lyte Fiber focuses on leading first with building long-term relationships.
Fiber’s community impact | 8:02How the presence of fiber-based broadband makes a community more attractive for existing and new residents.
Underserved communities | 11:43Old addresses the challenges of bringing fiber to underserved communities.  
Community permitting | 13:12As it moves to get fiber lit in 15 markets, permitting is an all-hands-on-deck effort.
Navigating the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) Program | 15:11The state of Texas recently awarded Lyte Fiber $142 million to connect seven communities.
The broadband M&A wave |18:41Lyte Fiber is actively evaluating potential opportunities.
Broadband competition | 20:22Within Lyte Fiber’s markets, the provider mainly faces competition from cable operators.
Final thoughts/closing | 23:17Looking ahead, Lyte Fiber will focus on scaling, delivering solid customer service, ensuring network reliability, and addressing each community’s needs.  
About our guest
Carter Old is Founder and CEO of Lyte Fiber, LLC, a Texas-based fiber broadband internet company formed in partnership with SDC Capital Partners. Before he founded Lyte, Carter co-founded Tachus, LLC, a Houston-based fiber broadband internet company that he helped build and grow to nearly 160 employees, 70,000+ passed homes, and 20,000+ customers in three and a half years. Under his leadership, Tachus raised over $190 million in total debt and equity capital. While at Tachus, he and his business partner were named finalists for the 2022 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Central South Awards. In addition to his fiber broadband experience, Old was the co-founder of OmniEarth, an Earth intelligence and analytics company based in Arlington, VA. He also worked at Fieldstone Partners, where he served as Senior Vice President and COO and co-led Fieldstone’s space and ground infrastructure business areas.
Earlier, Old served on active duty for four years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. He was initially the First Lieutenant and then the Naval Infantry Officer for USS BULKELEY (DDG 84) on his first tour, and then the Operations Officer for MCM CREW LEADER on his second tour. He attended the University of Texas at Austin on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated with a B.A. in Government. He also has an M.B.A. from UT-Austin.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from Bluepeak, Cajun Broadband, Comcast, Ezee Fiber, Fidium, Ripple Fiber, Surf Internet and Ziply.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Arelion enhances its European reach while carving out a position in the ever-evolving enterprise services market.   
As chief evangelist at Arelion, Mattias Fridström is passionate about networking. A nearly 30-year veteran of the service provider, Fridström not only has insights into the networked economy but also into the challenges network providers will face tomorrow in meeting ever-increasing traffic demand and customer quality expectations within the same cost framework. However, his passion is not limited to networks: he has played golf professionally and competed at the national level in football and in in-line hockey (the Swedish name for floorball). 
Arelion has continued to evolve since it began building its network in 1993, when its Autonomous System (AS) 1299 was allocated. The provider has continued to grow organically ever since. The service provider’s network now stretches 77,000 km across Europe, North America, and Asia. Customers connect directly to over 2,900 wholesale customers in more than 129 countries. Also, Arelion has over 450 local access partners worldwide. In 2025, the service provider took a significant step to enhance its European network reach by expanding its Baltic network, constructing a fully diverse, high-capacity route between Helsinki and Warsaw. And while Arelion is a well-known wholesale carrier, earlier this year it began to expand into the enterprise services market. Arelion continues to succeed in selling its products to businesses directly and via agents.
In this podcast, we spoke with Fridström about the service provider’s ongoing network expansion and its move to establish a stronger brand foothold in the enterprise services market.
Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:
Opening | 0.00
Host introduction of guests | 0:03
Arelion’s recent Baltic to Western Europe network route | 0:27This new network is built to bypass traditionally congested routes, providing resilience for carrier and enterprise customers. 
The EU's Connecting Europe Facility 2 (CEF2) program | 2:07How Arelion is leveraging CEF2 funding to modernize transport networks in underserved areas of Europe, like the Baltics.
Arelion’s European network plans | 3:27Fridström explains how the Baltic expansion fits into the broader European connectivity trends.
Arelion’s network redundancy approaches | 4:22How Arelion’s customers value having multiple network paths to data centers and other critical locations.
Approaching data center opportunities | 5:31Arelion works to provide the best path for extending fiber to new data centers.
Local and regional data centers | 7:03 How new data centers drive Arelion’s network expansion plans.
Arelion’s broad network reach | 8:20The service provider’s network can accommodate customers with global reach needs.
Serving enterprise customers | 9:23How Arelion can apply its wholesale service experience to meet business customer needs.
Establishing an enterprise services brand |10:55Arelion is working to show enterprises that it is a viable provider.
The role of Network as a Service (NaaS) | 12:51While Arelion's view of NaaS is excellent, it faces several challenges.
AI’s influence | 14:32How AI-driven traffic influences Arelion’s network planning process.    
Looking forward to 2026 |16:36Arelion sets its course for carrier and enterprise service opportunities.
Final thoughts and closing |18:32Besides anticipating additional traffic growth, Fridström sees potential upside in the enterprise services market.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from Dobson Fiber, Fidium, Henderson Municipal Power & Light, Metronet Fiber, Omni Fiber, Spectrum, TDS Telecom and Wecom Fiber.
About the Podcast  In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

While LightRiver, a network integrator, operates in multiple customer spheres—telecom providers, data centers and the public sector- the one thing they all have in common is that they operate high-reliability communications networks. The company is focused on building networks that they sell services to every fund from the Internet at your house to multi-terabit networks between data centers and enterprises of all sizes in between.
Out of its main customer segments, the largest of the networks that it builds is in the service provider sector. As a result, LightRiver keeps a keen eye on what's happening there and what's happening in the other areas so it can bring value to our customers by sharing ideas that it has learned as best practices across different areas.
In this episode, we talked to two experts at LightRiver about providing a seamless experience for their provider customers:
Walt Paskowski, SVP marketing and sales operations for LightRiver
And
Matt Briley, Senior VP of global sales for LightRiver
Here is a timeline of the episode:
0:03    Opening and introduction of guests
0:26    Customer diversity The unique elements of the three main industries LightRiver serves—service providers, data centers, and the public sector.2:04   LightRiver’s factory-built networks approachHow LightRiver’s approach to building a network in its own facility minimizes disruption for its customers.
4:41    Customer examplesLightRiver shares how it helped Gigabit Fiber build a new network for interconnecting about 12 different data centers in Dallas and other markets.
5:56    Integrating network assetsHow LightRiver can help service providers integrate assets they purchase.
8:02    Cable’s coax and fiber transitionGiving cable customers a common view of their assets.10:59 The evolving data center industryLightRiver’s factory-built network process is finding resonance with data center providers.
12:33 AI’s growing influence How LightRiver has incorporated AI to help its customers track assets, network data, and building agents into its software.
15:16 Light River’s geographic reachThe company has personnel in 26 out of the 50 states across the US and 150 team members in North America and the UK to respond to its diverse customer set.17:46 Final Thoughts/Closing Walt Paskowski and Matt Briley share their final thoughts with Broadband Pulse host Sean Buckley.
About our guests
Walt Paskowski, SVP marketing and sales operations for LightRiverWalt Paskowski oversees LightRiver’s marketing and sales operations, reporting to the CEO. He originally joined LightRiver in 2013 as Senior Vice President of Sales, focused on Utility, Transit, State & Local Government, Public Safety and Research & Education market verticals. He brings over 20 years of experience driving client-centric, mission-critical technology and business solutions, sales leadership and bottom-line revenue contributions to LightRiver and its customers from best-of-breed transport equipment manufacturers, like Alcatel-Lucent and Harris Corporation. Walt has a background in finance, manufacturing, operations and sales. Walt has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Strayer University and another Bachelor of Science in Finance & Business Administration from the University of Connecticut.
Matt Briley, senior VP of global sales for LightRiverMatt Briley is at the helm of LightRiver’s Global Sales and Network Solutions Engineering teams, where he oversees both the business and technology aspects of providing customers and partners with problem-solving technology. His primary focus is empowering companies to automate, modernize, and optimize their communications networks, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-changing industry. With over two decades of experience, Matt has held crucial roles in the industry, including leading Nokia’s Optical Networking business in North America. He also made significant contributions in sales and engineering management positions at Infinera and Ciena, expanding businesses across multiple geographies and sectors. Matt’s passion for the industry is entwined in his background, holding a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma, and beginning his career with the MCI engineering development program. When he’s not shaping the future of telecommunications, Matt enjoys spending quality time with his family in Heath, TX, just outside Dallas. Together, they relish activities such as biking, sporting clays, golf, and Jeeping.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

With most people being distracted during the holidays, online scammers are ready to pounce on consumers. According to Optimum, the most common online scams identified by Optimum’s cybersecurity team this season include phishing websites, smishing scams, non-delivery schemes, charity fraud and travel scams.
The company shared these insights in October during the worldwide Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Today, Optimum’s network blocks thousands of malicious attack attempts daily for our customers, ranging from phishing, smishing, spam, malware and other scams. 
Optimum is in an interesting position to help consumers with battling online threats. Consider that over the last three years, the cable MSO has been transforming its business, which includes investing heavily in its network to expand service across its 21-state footprint. This year, the company has surpassed 3 million Fiber passings and has seen 50% fewer network outages.
In this episode, we talked to Ben Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Optimum, about the top security threats consumers face and how to avoid potential traps.
Here is a timeline of the episode:
0:03    Opening       
0:40    Optimum’s celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month       How scam artists and hackers ramp up their attacks on consumers during the holiday season.
6:54    Scammers leveraging AI.             Using AI to conduct phishing to spoof the look and feel of an email that might come directly from a company.
8:09    Optimum’s cybersecurity effortsThe service provider is scaling its security controls, visibility and governance.
10:31 Bundling security with broadband   Optimum is developing an advanced security offering that will allow consumers to manage their own Internet security.
12:09 Regulatory compliance and resilience. Optimum continues to hold operational testing of its cybersecurity operations.
14:09 Final thoughts/wrap up
About our guestBen Smith serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Optimum, where he leads the company’s enterprise cybersecurity, governance, and IT risk management strategy. With over 20 years of experience across telecommunications, healthcare, and financial services, he has built and led security and IT risk management programs that align technology with organizational strategy, operational resilience, and regulatory requirements.
He serves on the Board of Directors of Hudson Valley Credit Union as Board Secretary and is a member of the Governance and Nominations Committee as well as the Finance Committee. In the past, he has served on multiple not-for-profit and community Boards and Advisory Committees.
A seasoned advisor to leading cybersecurity organizations, Ben leverages his executive and board experience to drive product strategy and market expansion within regulated industries. He holds both an MBA and a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Rochester Institute of Technology, along with CISSP and CHCIO certifications. 
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In this week's episode of Building Broadband, we're tracking new broadband builds from Alabama Fiber Network (AFN), Breezeline, Brightspeed, eX² Technology, Home Telecom, and Ziply Fiber.  
These providers are all using a mix of public and private funding for a host of new broadband build-outs across a diverse set of communities.
Lightwave is tracking service providers' ongoing efforts to extend broadband to more homes and businesses via our Building Broadband series.
If you want to share a new broadband build, contact Lightwave Editor in Chief Sean Buckley at sbuckley@endeavorb2b.com.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In this special edition of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we're in Dallas, Texas, covering this year’s Mplify (formerly MEF) Global NaaS Event GNE 2025 show.
For this episode, we’re taking a look at the key highlights of the first day of the event: 
Mplify’s leadership transition
Mplify Market Brief Positioning NaaS as Foundation for Agentic AI
Mplify’s Carrier Ethernet for AI certification
Advancing Mplify's certification efforts in wireless through aligning with the GSMA
Addressing standardized automation for enterprises
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.