In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris sits down with TechFreedom President Berin Szóka and Benton Institute Senior Fellow Gigi Sohn to analyze the growing threats to free speech and broadcast licenses under FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and the Trump administration. 

They break down Disney's landmark First Amendment lawsuit against the FCC, discussing how political pressure, "jawboning," and implicit threats to license renewals are creating a dangerous culture of anticipatory obedience among media organizations and journalists.

The conversation delves into the erosion of regulatory norms, the limits of current administrative structures, and the chilling effect on newsroom independence. Concluding on a constructive note, Szóka and Sohn outline crucial paths forward, calling for robust congressional oversight, structural legislative safeguards, and reform of the administrative state to restore accountability and protect the First Amendment.

For more information from TechFreedom, see "FCC Can't Use ABC's License Renewal Process to Punish Its Editorial Choices." 

This show is 48 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 and Sean break down the flawed realities behind national broadband data and policy. They dive into the Federal Communications Commission’s latest 706 report, calling out its questionable citations and reliance on unchecked ISP claims. 

The conversation moves to the BEAD program, exploring why one-third of rural electric co-ops are pulling out of fiber awards, and examines new research from Ohio revealing how tree canopy issues and tall tower costs challenge Starlink’s promises.

Later in the show, Chris and Sean highlight a municipal fiber effort moving forward in Southwick, Massachusetts, discuss what a massive airport ground stop says about the fragility of fiber infrastructure, and tackle the risks of introducing AI into air traffic control in the What the Tech!? segment. 

Finally, they wrap up with a look at a Government Accountability Office report detailing the missteps and misleading figures surrounding DOGE.

This show is 42 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 Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting for a wide-ranging conversation about fixed wireless access performance, federal broadband definitions, the BEAD program's true-up process, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on network infrastructure.

Chris and Doug begin by diving into a recent Ookla report on Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. They break down how FWA operates on de-prioritized cellular capacity, why seasonal foliage can slow down speeds, and how the limitations of upload performance highlight the stark difference between cellular home broadband and wireline fiber connections.

From there, the conversation turns to federal policy and mapping challenges. Chris and Doug critique potential shifts at the FCC regarding broadband speed definitions and discuss a GAO report highlighting the hurdles local governments and Tribal nations faced during the bulk broadband collection challenge process. They also examine the NTIA’s plan for truing up unserved locations under the BEAD program, as well as the final funding distributions across fiber, Low Earth Orbit satellites, and fixed wireless networks.

Finally, Chris and Doug tackle the popular debate around AI and network congestion. They unpack why data center traffic differs from residential internet usage, address the security and infrastructural risks of rapid AI development, and discuss the long-term economic viability of major AI models.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Doug connect these technical and policy developments to broader questions about network reliability, federal oversight, market competition, and who will ultimately build and control the future of telecommunications.

This show is 46 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 reconnects with Keith Hanson, former Chief Technology Officer for Shreveport, Louisiana, and current consultant at KeithHanson.io. The two dive into the practical realities, trade-offs, and systemic challenges local governments face when deploying smart city technology, public safety infrastructure, and community broadband.

The conversation begins with Keith's experiences leading technology initiatives in Shreveport, including the establishment of a civilian-led Real-Time Crime Center and the deployment of local camera systems. 

Keith explains why he opted to build low-cost, off-the-shelf camera systems rather than paying steep subscription fees to private vendors who harvest public data into centralized cloud databases. 

Chris and Keith discuss the privacy implications of mass surveillance, contrasting focused license plate readers (LPRs) with dragnet AI tracking systems, and examine why local governments should maintain strict control over municipal data.

From there, Chris and Keith turn to the operational and cultural barriers within municipal IT departments. Keith shares his perspective on navigating government bureaucracy, managing talent, and overcoming rigid HR policies that disincentivize innovation. 

They also discuss creative infrastructure solutions—such as using CBRS networks and library fiber to deliver low-cost connectivity, conducting Wi-Fi war driving via municipal garbage trucks, and exploring fiber-optic acoustic sensing for traffic management and leak detection—before reflecting on the political friction that can derail ambitious public technology projects.

Finally, Keith reflects on his transition back to the private sector and shares how modern AI coding tools and documentation agents are making it easier for lean municipal IT teams to build, maintain, and own custom technology solutions.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Keith connect local IT procurement and surveillance debates with broader questions about digital privacy, fiscal responsibility, and how local governments can foster genuine innovation.

This show is 56 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 sits down with independent reporter Daniel Boguslaw to explore the growing friction between technology, privacy, and local governance. 

The conversation centers on Flock Safety—a network of automated license plate readers and surveillance cameras—and how it has sparked a nationwide debate over corporate surveillance, national databases, and civil liberties.

Chris and Daniel begin by exploring what Flock actually is—beyond simple traffic cameras—and how its centralized, network-wide license plate tracking creates massive databases of human movement. 

They examine how private surveillance data is increasingly bought, repackaged, and utilized by federal agencies to bypass constitutional protections, enabling broader dragnet tracking and political intimidation.

From there, the conversation turns to the growing grassroots resistance to mass surveillance. Daniel and Chris discuss how citizens across the political spectrum are exercising local civic power through city councils to cancel Flock contracts and reject ungoverned technology in their communities.

Finally, Chris and Daniel tackle the false choice between total surveillance and public safety, contrasting high-tech dragnet systems like Flock and ShotSpotter with proven, trust-building community policing strategies.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Daniel connect these local battles to broader questions about civil liberties, corporate power, and how everyday people can reclaim control over the technology in their lives.

This show is 55 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 Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting for a wide-ranging conversation about Fiber deployment, Starlink’s latest ambitions, and the changing role of the Federal Communications Commission.

Chris and Doug begin with some good news for Fiber builders, discussing a recent Seventh Circuit ruling in a dispute between CSX and Zayo over railroad rights-of-way. They explore why crossing railroad tracks has long been a costly and frustrating obstacle for broadband projects and how the decision could make it easier to deploy Fiber across railroad corridors if the ruling holds.

From there, the conversation turns to Starlink and its ambitions to become a mobile network operator. Chris and Doug examine what it would actually take for Starlink to compete with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, including the enormous number of cell sites, ground stations, Fiber connections, and other infrastructure needed to build a competitive mobile network.

Finally, Chris and Doug discuss the future of the FCC following recent court decisions that have reshaped the authority of federal agencies and the president’s ability to remove commissioners. They consider what those changes could mean for the FCC’s independence, its ability to set communications policy, and the role of courts in reviewing agency decisions.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Doug connect these developments to broader questions about competition, infrastructure investment, regulatory authority, and who will shape the future of telecommunications.

This show is 31 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 by Lee Brown, President and CEO of Erwin Utilities, and John Fredericks, Director of Information Technology at Erwin Fiber, for a conversation about community resilience, local infrastructure, and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.

Lee and John reflect on the devastating flooding that struck Erwin, Tennessee, in September 2024, washing away homes, damaging the industrial park, and destroying hundreds of utility poles carrying both electric and fiber infrastructure. They share how the community responded in the days and months that followed, from neighbors helping neighbors to utility crews working to restore essential services.

The conversation also looks back at Erwin Fiber’s incremental approach to building its network. Chris, Lee, and John discuss how careful planning, local support, and investments in redundancy helped the system remain resilient during the disaster, allowing much of the community to stay connected even as other infrastructure failed.

From there, they explore how Erwin Utilities is using the recovery process to build back stronger. John shares plans to expand network redundancy, move toward XGS-PON, and roll out new Wi-Fi capabilities designed to support first responders and customers during future emergencies.

Throughout the episode, Lee and John emphasize that reliable Internet access is about more than speed. It is about connection, trust, and having local institutions that understand the community they serve. Their experience after Helene offers a powerful example of why resilient infrastructure and local accountability matter when disaster strikes.

This show is 35 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 by Sean Gonsalves for a wide-ranging conversation about some of the latest stories shaping broadband and telecommunications.

Chris and Sean begin in Massachusetts, where they discuss the state's Residential Retrofit Program and how targeted investments are helping bring reliable, affordable Internet service to thousands of residents living in older affordable housing developments. They explore why focusing on existing housing can make a meaningful difference for communities that have often been left behind.

The conversation then shifts to Minnesota, where Windomnet, one of the state's longest-running municipal broadband networks, is being sold to a regional provider. Chris and Sean reflect on the network's legacy, the value it brought to the community over two decades, and why the success of community broadband shouldn't be measured by simple financial metrics alone.

From there, they examine new data showing how Americans are using more upstream bandwidth as upload speeds improve, reinforcing the importance of building networks that support both consumption and creation in an increasingly connected world.

Finally, Chris and Sean dive into one of the more unusual technology stories of the week: the Federal Communications Commission's approval of a proposal to test a satellite designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth. They discuss the regulatory questions surrounding the project, the potential unintended consequences, and what it says about the pace of technological innovation.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Sean connect today's headlines with broader conversations about community investment, local accountability, and building communications infrastructure that serves people for the long term.

This show is 40 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 Sascha Meinrath, Palmer Chair of Telecommunications at Penn State University and Director of X-Lab, for a wide-ranging conversation about privacy, artificial intelligence, and "The Cost of Inaction" in Pennsylvania.

Chris and Sascha begin by discussing the future of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), examining the ongoing debate over government surveillance, constitutional protections, and what renewed surveillance authorities could mean for privacy and civil liberties.

The conversation then turns to AI, where they explore the rapid development of new technologies, the growing role of AI in surveillance, and the need for stronger safeguards to protect personal privacy. They discuss the work of the Center for Agentic AI Research, the opportunities AI presents, and the risks of deploying increasingly powerful systems without meaningful oversight.

Finally, Chris and Sascha examine the broader state of broadband policy through the lens of Pennsylvania's The Cost of Inaction report. They discuss the consequences of delayed broadband investment, the importance of competition and local accountability, and why community-driven solutions continue to play a critical role in expanding reliable, affordable Internet access.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Sascha connect today's debates over surveillance, AI, and broadband with broader questions about accountability, local decision-making, and how technology should serve the public interest.

This show is 59 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 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).