Broadband Pulse

Frontier’s Mispagel on becoming the second-largest fiber builder in the U.S.

In this episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked to Scott Mispagel, Senior Vice President, Network Engineering and Operations at Frontier Communications. During this episode, we talked about the ongoing progress Frontier has made in expanding its fiber broadband reach and customer base.
Frontier, which is being acquired by Verizon, has continued to enhance its standing in the fiber broadband market. As of the end of the second quarter, Frontier added 334,000 fiber passings to reach 8.5 million total locations passed with fiber.
As Mispagel sees it, “it has been a great highlight of my career to be a part of the company’s turnaround and bringing the life-changing technology that we bring to our customers.”
Key Moments in This Episode
Opening
0:07 Introduction of our guest
1:33 The 2025 Connect the Unconnected AwardScott Mispagel talks about being this year’s honoree.
2:39 Frontier's fiber broadband gains momentumHow Frontier’s leadership has made fiber a key part of its strategy.
4:12 Permitting and supply chain challengesFrontier took a proactive approach as it scaled its fiber network.
6:39 Local community partnerships Frontier communicates the value of building out fiber.
8:26 Prioritizing fiber buildsThe service provider weighs factors such as population density and labor availability.
9:42 Frontier’s “Broadband for Good” ProgramHow Frontier contributes fiber broadband service to community-led organizations like the Boys & Girls Club.
11:25 Frontier’s fiber technology visionThe service provider participates in industry organizations like the ITU to drive new standards.
13:04 AI’s growing influenceHow AI is changing business trajectories.
15:16 Frontier’s middle mile visionFrontier sees the middle mile as the highways between every community.
17:21 Final Thoughts/closing Scott Mispagel shares his final thoughts and vision for Frontier’s fiber build program.
Meet our guest:
Scott Mispagel, Senior Vice President, Network Engineering and Operations at Frontier CommunicationsSince July 2013, Scott Mispagel has served as Senior Vice President of Network Engineering and Operations at Frontier Communications. With a proven track record in strategic and technical leadership within the telecommunications sector, Mispagel has held several senior roles, including VP of Network Planning and Engineering, overseeing a large team of engineers responsible for nationwide voice and data network infrastructure. Earlier, Mispagel held several roles at Windstream Communications, advancing from Director of Data Engineering to Vice President of Network Technology Planning and Engineering. Mispagel also served on the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Together North Texas from January 2019 to December 2021. Mispage holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the University of Arkansas.
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 listen here.

ACS completes Northstar submarine cable upgrade; BAM Broadband expands into Tempe, Ariz.

In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from Alaska Communications, BAM Broadband, Brightspeed, Dobson Fiber, Ripple Fiber, TDS and United Communications.
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 listen here.

Comcast's Slovin on crafting smart city solutions

In this episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked with Mike Slovin, Vice President and General Manager of Smart Solutions.
Comcast Smart Solutions (CSS) helps cities to advise, help design, deploy, and support holistic smart technology ecosystems with a vetted and curated ecosystem of top smart technology collaborations to help create efficient and productive buildings and environments. Its offerings include Smart Buildings technology, Video Analytics, Smart Mobility, Digital Signage, and Smart Lighting solutions.
CCS recently announced a collaboration with the City of Tucker, GA, an Atlanta suburb, to upgrade the lighting infrastructure on the city’s public trail and park system with a smart solution designed to enhance visibility and connectivity. The City of Tucker selected Comcast Smart Solutions to implement a fully-integrated video analytics, Wi-Fi, and lighting solution into existing light fixtures along a portion of the city’s public trail that leads to Tucker Town Green, a recreational park. The project aims to strengthen both security protocols and connectivity by providing advanced video analytics and public Wi-Fi access to the area.
Along with Tucker, Comcast has been gaining momentum in other cities in Colorado, Florida, Utah and others.
Key Moments in This Episode
Opening
0:05 Introduction of guests
0:33 Comcast Smart Solutions smart city approach Mike Slovin, Vice President and General Manager of Smart Solutions, addresses how it helps cities solve specific business needs like improving sustainability, improving safety protocols or improving energy management.
2:57 Smart City trendsHow to address cities’ individual needs for managing infrastructure.
4:37 Tucker, Georgia’s work with Comcast Smart SolutionsComcast is monitoring the city’s new public trail.
6:47 Juganu’s multipurpose light fixtures How Juganu can help cities transform city spaces with what they call “digital intelligence.”
8:20 Targeted solutions approach Comcast crafts solutions that meet an individual city’s needs.
8:38 Dedicated internet connectivityHow Comcast is leveraging its internet connectivity to support Tucker, Ga.’s smart city applications.
10:13 The status of the Tucker, Georgia deployment
11:13 Comcast’s smart city momentumComcast Smart Solutions provides tailored service for every smart city opportunity.
12:10 The evolution of Comcast’s Smart SolutionsComcast changed the division name to Smart Solutions to reflect its diverse customer base.
13:17 Final Thoughts/ClosingComcast Smart Solutions’ Mike Slovin gives us his insight about new opportunities for the division.
Meet our guest:
Michael Slovin, Vice President and General Manager Smart SolutionsA 30-year telecom and cable veteran, Slovin oversees integration of Comcast’s advanced connectivity options with industry-leading smart technology partners to enable the delivery of smart technology solutions to clients. Slovin has spent the last 18 years in corporate leadership positions at Comcast. His roles have included leading Xfinity Communities’ national accounts and direct sales channels and, most recently, serving as the Vice President of National Field Sales, managing the teams that transform individual multifamily properties into smart, connected communities, supporting millions of residents. Prior to Comcast, Slovin occupied various leadership positions with Sprint, Winstar and MCI Communications (now Verizon Communications).
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 listen here.

Brightspeed and Comcast complete broadband builds in Pennsylvania and Georgia

In this latest Broadband Pulse broadband roundup, we are tracking new deployments from several providers, including: Brightspeed, Comcast, C Spire, Fastbridge, Fidium, Greenlight Networks, Lumos Networks and Omni 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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.
 

Airvine brings fresh wireless approach to enterprise campus network backhaul

In this new podcast, we talked with Dave Sumi, CEO of Airvine, about new wireless-based opportunities for enterprise campuses and multi-dwelling unit (MDUs). 
In this episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked with Dave Sumi, CEO of Airvine.
Airvine, which has gained traction in the broadband market with its multi-Gigabit-speed wireless Ethernet backhaul system for indoor connectivity, recently introduced outdoor connectivity options with the WaveCore Flex. The Flex offers Gigabit-speed wireless connectivity and eliminates the need for costly drilling through walls or floors and running cable from, for example, an IDF or MDF to end user terminals or IoT devices. 
Key Moments in This Episode
Opening
0:05 Introduction of guests
0:42    Who is Airvine?Dave Sumi, CEO of Airvine, talks about the company’s approach to providing broadband wireless backhaul solutions for the enterprise.
1:46    The evolution of the campus marketAirvine is seeing an uptick in connecting campus buildings wirelessly
2:52    Airvine’s new Wave core platformHow Airvine’s WaveCore Flex addresses enterprise campus networks outside backhaul needs.
4:31    Campus switch vendor marketHow Airvine’s wireless products are compatible with traditional campus switch products
5:44    Non-invasive network installationsAirvine enables broadband operators to deliver service without disruption, rapidly
6:48    The Multi-dwelling unit (MDU) marketService providers can upgrade existing MDU connectivity with wireless infrastructure.8:36    Market adoptionAirvine is finding opportunities in factory and warehouse settings  
11:04  Supporting Internet of Things (IoT) Property owners can leverage wireless connectivity for building operations, such as leak detection.
11:53 Final thoughtsDave Sumi shares his closing thoughts on serving campus environments wirelessly.
Meet our guest:
Dave SumiA 30-plus-year telecom veteran, Dave Sumi serves as the CEO of Airvine. Airvine has developed an indoor wireless system that rivals the reliability of existing cabling at a fraction of the deployment time and cost. He has extensive experience and contacts in wireless domains ranging from chips to systems, client devices to infrastructure, and hardware to software. Before becoming the CEO of Airvine, Sumi spent time at several other key wireless companies, including KYOCERA, Siklu, Proxim, SOMA Networks and Malibu Networks.
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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.
 

Brightspeed and Ezee Fiber further their broadband presence in NC and Chicago

In this week's Broadband Pulse broadband roundup, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from a host of providers, including:
Brightspeed
Ezee Fiber
Fidium
Glo Fiber
GoNetspeed
IdeaTek
RightFiber
Surf Internet
These providers are all expanding broadband in various communities through a mix of venture capital and state funding sources. 
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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.
 

ACA Connects and NCTC leaders weigh in on emerging cable broadband trends

In this episode, we talked with two key cable industry veterans about emerging trends--Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC and Grant Spellmeyer, president and CEO of ACA Connects. 
Key Moments in This Episode
Opening
0:06 Introduction of guests Lightwave Editor in Chief Sean Buckley introduces Broadband Pulse’s latest guests--Lou Borelli, CEO of NCTC and Grant Spellmeyer, ACA Connects president and CEO.
The state of the independent cable operator market.1:02 Lou Borrelli shares his perspective 2:15 Grant Spellmeyer gives his perspective
3:47 Highlights of the recent 2025 Independent Show. 4:13 Lou Borrelli discusses opportunities its members can use to expand and grow. 5:34 Grant Spellmeyer addresses the value of member-to-member interaction.
7:15 The influence of the Brendan Carr-led FCC.7:37 Grant Spellmeyer talks about how the new FCC removes private sector investment uncertainty.8:32 Lou Borrelli sees the opportunity to reduce regulatory burdens.
9:32 Fiber broadband trends 10:06 Lou Borrelli notes how NCTC’s members are aggressively rolling out fiber broadband. 11:45 Grant Spellmeyer says ACA Connect’s members are delivering competition to others.12:10 The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program situation.12:35 Grant Spellmeyer addresses changes to the BEAD program requirements.14:24 Lou Borrelli expresses support for ACA Connect’s policy efforts in Washington, DC.14:58 AI technology 15:25 Lou Borrelli discusses its new AI Center of Excellence.17:22 Grant Spellmeyer looks at AI regulations.
18:22 Streaming and convergence18:48 Lou Borrelli talks about how the video industry is evolving.20:44 Grant Spellmeyer addresses how providers are adapting.
21:35 Final thoughts21:22 Grant Spellmeyer gives his roundup.22:06 Lou Borrelli touts the power of independent telcos and cable operators.
22:34 Wrap/Outro
Meet our guests:
Lou Borelli, CEO of NCTCA 40-plus-year cable television industry veteran, Lou Borrelli was named NCTC’s CEO in 2021. Before joining NCTC, Borrelli served as the CEO of Home and Entertainment for Digicel Group, which provides mobile phone, cable, and broadband services to 27 countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. He was responsible for cable and broadband strategy, policy, operations, content strategy and distribution rights for Digicel's sports and entertainment networks.Having owned and operated cable systems in second and third-tier markets, Borrelli has plenty of experience in the independent cable industry segment with an extensive understanding of the challenges facing operators of all sizes in today's competitive landscape. A founding partner of Marcus Cable, Borrelli and his colleagues were recognized as Cable Operator of the Year in 1998, and he was inducted into the Cable Pioneers in 2002.
Grant Spellmeyer, ACA Connects president and CEOGrant Spellmeyer oversees the daily operations and affairs of America's Communications Association (ACA Connects). Grant joined ACAC in 2022. Before coming to ACAC, he was VP of government affairs for US Cellular, where his primary duties included directing the federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts across the company’s 21-state operating territory on all policy matters. He joined U.S. Cellular in 2006 from ACA Connects Member company TDS Telecommunications.  As part of the TDS enterprise, Grant served in a variety of wireless and wireline legal and regulatory roles for more than 20 years.  Before that, Grant was an attorney in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin. Spellmeyer is a 1988 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, he holds an M.A. in public policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School.  He also has an MBA from Northwestern University. 
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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.

Building Broadband: BCE completes acquisition of Ziply Fiber, accelerating its fiber growth strategy; Brightspeed lights up fiber broadband in five new rural Ohio counties

In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from several regional and national broadband players, including:
Brightspeed lights up fiber broadband in five new rural Ohio counties
Comcast connects over 1,200 Montgomery County, Indiana locations
Dobson Fiber expands fiber internet to Kingston, Oklahoma
Greenlight Networks continues expansion across New York’s Orange County
Home Telecom brings 5 Gbps fiber internet to South Carolina’s Nexton community
IdeaTek lights gigabit fiber internet to Leoti and Tribune, Kansas
KKR wraps acquisition of Metronet through joint venture
We’re also sizing up various broadband M&A deals that took place this week, including:  
BCE’s Ziply Fiber acquisition accelerates its fiber growth strategy
Uniti wraps its Windstream merger, accelerating residential and business fiber strategy
FBR Solutions ramps rural capabilities with Johnson Communications acquisition
Amphenol deepens data center presence with $10.5 billion deal for CommScope’s CCS business
About the Podcast In the Lightwave+BTR 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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Ezee Fiber’s CEO leads with a team sport philosophy

If you ask Ezee Fiber’s CEO Matt Marino about his leadership style, he likens it to the nature of a football team: “I'm a big believer that the residential fiber business is the ultimate team sport.”
As a 15-plus cable industry veteran, Marino brings plenty of customer service and network knowledge to the table. Before coming to Ezee Fiber in 2023, he held various positions at some of the top cable providers, including Altice USA, Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Insight Communications.
During this podcast we talked to Marino about Ezee Fiber’s customer centric approach and how it is enhancing its network through a series of targeted builds and acquisitions of other regional fiber providers that fit its growth model.
Key Moments in This EpisodeOpening
0:45 CEO role strategyMarino shares his philosophy that the residential fiber business is the ultimate team sport.3:28 Ezee Fiber’s 2025 prioritiesHow Ezee Fiber is executing on a multi-state build and customer growth plan.5:16 Fiber acquisition strategyEzee Fiber’s recent Tachus Fiber deal was a match in terms of fiber and approach. 7:18 Conterra Purchase How Conterra was a network backbone purchase.8:30 Future M&A plans Ezee Fiber will utilize a combination of M&A and organic growth strategies to achieve its goal of becoming one of the largest independent fiber providers.10:07 Ezee’s market expansion strategy
Outside of its Texas home base, Ezee is expanding into Washington State and New Mexico. 12:29 State of competitionEzee Fiber mainly competes against cable operators.13:49 Business services plansThe service provider creates packages for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises.15:11 Final thoughts Matt Marino shares how Ezee is continuing to advance its fiber broadband vision in Houston, New Mexico and Washington.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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.

TeleGeography makes call for new submarine cable repair ship investments

A new TeleGeography report reveals that $3 billion worth of investment in submarine cable repair ships will be required to sustain current service levels and reduce repair delays for the undersea cables that carry global internet traffic. While there’s a surge in submarine cable infrastructure investment, maintenance and repair capabilities have lagged. 
In “The Future of Submarine Cable Maintenance,” a joint report by TeleGeography and Infra-Analytics, the research firms forecast a 48% net increase in total cable kilometers to be deployed in the world's oceans by 2040, driven by rising bandwidth demands and the need for network redundancy and resilience. However, by the same year, approximately two-thirds of cable maintenance ships will have reached the end of their service life, with about half of the global cable ship fleet also approaching this milestone.
During this episode of the Broadband Pulse, we caught up with Alan Mauldin, Research Director at TeleGeography, one of the of the authors of the new submarine cable report. Mauldin said the the “study illuminates the increasingly urgent need for investment in the global connectivity critical infrastructure—both submarine cables and maintenance vessels.” 
Meet our guest Alan Mauldin is a Research Director at TeleGeography. He manages the company’s infrastructure research group, focusing primarily on submarine cables, terrestrial networks, international Internet infrastructure, and bandwidth demand modeling. He also advises clients on due diligence analysis, feasibility studies, and business plan development for projects worldwide. Alan speaks frequently about the global network industry at a wide range of conferences, including PTC, Submarine Networks World, and SubOptic. Alan began his career as an analyst at The Trade Partnership in 1998.
Key Moments in This EpisodeOpening0:05 Introduction
0:24 State of the submarine cable marketHow hyperscalers and traditional providers are investing in new cables
2:19 New submarine cable repair shipsA new TeleGeography report estimates $3B in submarine cable repair ships will be required.3:56 Advocacy for new repair shipsWhile there’s a desire to invest in repair ships, capital expenditure (Capex) costs are challenging.5:44 Cost issuesThe expense of building new vessels.
7:13 Cable decommissioning Cables deployed during the telecom boom of the 1990s and early 2000s are now at or beyond the 25-year mark. 9:09 Regional market needsBy 2035, replacement vessels will be required across most regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Middle East
10:50 Final Thoughts 
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 click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.