In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Harold Feld, Senior Vice President at Public Knowledge, and Arturo Juarez from NextGen Policy for a conversation about the high-stakes battle over California's Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules and what it means for the future of universal service.

Chris, Harold, and Arturo discuss AT&T's aggressive push to end its long-standing obligations to provide basic phone service across the state as telecommunications providers transition away from legacy copper networks. 

They examine AT&T's multi-front strategy—spanning state legislation, regulatory proceedings, FCC petitions, and federal lawsuits—and explore the potential fallout for vulnerable residents who rely on these lines for affordable, daily communication.

Along the way, they reflect on the critical role landlines continue to play during public safety emergencies like wildfires, when cellular networks frequently fail or overload. 

They also dive into the national context of telecom deregulation, how corporate pressures like stock market performance drive decisions to abandon less profitable areas, and why alternative solutions like satellite internet or chat apps cannot yet replace universal, highly reliable phone networks.

Throughout the episode, Chris, Harold, and Arturo emphasize that network modernization shouldn't come at the cost of public safety or consumer protection. It’s about ensuring that as technology evolves, no community is left behind or forced to accept lower standards of connection.

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 again by Matthew Rantanen for a conversation about the future of Tribal spectrum policy and why access to wireless spectrum remains essential for Tribal self-determination.

Chris and Matt discuss the Federal Communications Commission's proposed changes to the Tribal Licensing Window, exploring why the policy has been an important tool for Tribal Nations seeking to build and operate their own broadband networks. 

They examine the concerns surrounding the current proceeding and what the changes could mean for future Tribal access to spectrum.

Along the way, they reflect on the history of Tribal spectrum policy, the unique legal and sovereign status of Tribal Nations, and the work that has gone into expanding broadband access across Indian Country. They also discuss why continued advocacy, education, and engagement are critical as new spectrum decisions are made.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Matt emphasize that Tribal broadband is about more than technology. It's about ensuring Tribal communities have the opportunity to shape their own digital future and continue building the networks their communities need.

This show is 32 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 the first live episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Heather Mills, Doug Dawson, and Drew Garner for a wide-ranging conversation about BEAD, permitting, mobile wireless, and the latest debates around broadband policy and infrastructure.

They begin with a discussion about Amazon’s Leo service, efforts to preempt local government “to encourage more investments in Internet access,” and the realities of mobile wireless performance after Chris spent weeks traveling around the country.

From there, the conversation turns to BEAD and where things currently stand. Drew explains that most states and territories have finally signed their award agreements and are getting closer to construction, while also warning that the process remains “interminable” because there are so many seeming final steps. Chris, Heather, Doug, and Drew discuss delays, permitting, workforce challenges, NTIA guidance, and concerns that states may face a very narrow list of eligible uses for remaining funds.

The group also talks about affordability, quality, and value in broadband infrastructure, including whether LEO satellite service is truly an acceptable alternative to fiber-based networks. Heather reflects on the risks of creating “a class system of who gets what,” while emphasizing that affordability programs and local capacity still matter for communities trying to get connected.

The episode closes with a conversation about mobile networks, fixed wireless capacity, and why networks may feel like they are “running hotter” than they used to.

This show is 64 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 Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined again by longtime guest Blair Levin for a conversation that spans decades, from the origins of modern Internet policy to the uncertain future shaped by artificial intelligence.

They begin by revisiting the legacy of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the lesser-known policy decisions that helped shape today’s communications landscape, including spectrum auctions, number portability, and the push to make wireless a mass-market service. 

Along the way, Blair offers a candid look at what policymakers got right, what they got wrong, and how technocratic decisions quietly transformed competition and access.

From there, the conversation turns toward the future. As AI rapidly reshapes the economy, Chris and Blair explore what role the Federal Communications Commission should play in an AI-driven world and whether it is equipped to do so. 

They discuss the need for better data, long-term thinking, and a renewed focus on the public good in policymaking.

But this episode goes beyond infrastructure and regulation. In the closing segment, the discussion shifts to trust, power, and civic responsibility, reflecting on recent community actions in Minneapolis as an example of collective courage and local solidarity. 

It’s a reminder that while technology and policy matter, the choices people make for one another may matter even more.

This show is 70 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 Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined again by Doug Dawson for a candid conversation about where U.S. broadband policy stands as 2026 begins—and where it’s falling short.

The discussion takes a hard look at BEAD implementation delays, how uncertainty at the federal level is reshaping ISP behavior, and why many communities still struggle to plan amid shifting rules and political pressure. 

Doug explains what he’s hearing directly from providers on the ground, including concerns about overbuilding, affordability gaps, and the long-term sustainability of different network models.

Chris and Doug also explore the limits of satellite and fixed wireless solutions, the continuing importance of fiber infrastructure, and why policy debates often miss the practical realities of deployment and operations. 

The episode offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective on what communities should realistically expect in the coming years—and what questions they should be asking now.

This show is 41 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 or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license