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Sonar 2026 · The Podcast

BANDWIDTH

Operators talking shop. Off-script.

Conversations with ISP operators, BEAD leads, network engineers, and the people running the field.

40Episodes
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40 episodes

  1. The Toughest Tradeoffs in an ISP

    Bandwidth Podcast

    The Toughest Tradeoffs in an ISP

    Every ISP says everything matters, until competing priorities force a choice. Larry Weidig, Georgette Lopez-Aguado, and Rick Seemann rank the hardest tradeoffs in broadband: people, process, or technology; trust, employees, or market share; and what to save first when the business is on fire.

    42:20October 13, 2026
  2. What Matters Most at Every Stage of ISP Growth

    Bandwidth Podcast

    What Matters Most at Every Stage of ISP Growth

    Sustainable ISP growth requires different priorities at every stage. This conversation covers what matters most during the initial buildout, what breaks as the network densifies and services expand, and what it takes to grow through new markets or acquisition without adding chaos.

    45:05September 29, 2026
  3. Add-Ons Are Easy to Sell. Supporting Them Is the Real Job.

    Bandwidth Podcast

    Add-Ons Are Easy to Sell. Supporting Them Is the Real Job.

    Managed Wi-Fi, smart home, mobile, streaming bundles, premium support: the ISP add-on menu has never been longer. This conversation covers where the line sits between value and clutter, why owning the customer experience matters more than building every product, and whether the triple play is really dead.

    32:12September 15, 2026
  4. When Financial Stress Shows Up Before the Metrics Do

    Bandwidth Podcast

    When Financial Stress Shows Up Before the Metrics Do

    Financial stress shows up in subscriber behavior long before it appears in churn or bad debt. This conversation covers the early warning signs, why rigid billing processes accelerate cancellations, and how structured flexibility helps ISPs keep customers through hard times.

    34:11September 1, 2026
  5. AI Maturity Is Not About Intelligence. It's About Trust.

    Bandwidth Podcast

    AI Maturity Is Not About Intelligence. It's About Trust.

    AI means different things depending on who is selling it and who is buying it, and broadband operators are still sorting out which capabilities actually belong in their operations. This conversation covers how to think about AI maturity, where the risk tolerance differs across billing, support, and network ops, and what happens when the subsidized pricing era ends.

    44:14August 18, 2026
  6. What ISPs Must Become by 203033

    Episode 33

    What ISPs Must Become by 2030

    Broadband went from a nice-to-have to a must-have almost overnight, and the industry has been recalibrating ever since. David Zumwalt, President and CEO of WISPA, joined us to talk through what that shift revealed, where consolidation is heading, and what independent operators need to be doing now to stay relevant in a market moving toward universal coverage.

    30:57August 5, 2026
  7. The Backbone of Broadband Has Always Been Local32

    Episode 32

    The Backbone of Broadband Has Always Been Local

    When people talk about the future of broadband, the conversation usually revolves around new technologies, government funding, or the next big infrastructure project.

    16:10July 22, 2026
  8. TV Isn't Dead. It's Becoming Easier to Watch.31

    Episode 31

    TV Isn't Dead. It's Becoming Easier to Watch.

    For years, the broadband industry has been telling the same story: the future is internet, and traditional TV is on its way out. As streaming services exploded onto the scene, it certainly felt that way.

    14:35July 8, 2026
  9. The Internet Runs on Relationships: What NANOG Can Teach Every ISP About Building a Better Network30

    Episode 30

    The Internet Runs on Relationships: What NANOG Can Teach Every ISP About Building a Better Network

    One of the best parts of attending industry events is the opportunity to sit down with people who spend their days solving a completely different set of challenges than most operators think about.

    11:03June 23, 2026
  10. AI Isn't Coming. It's Already Here. The Real Question Is: What Are You Going to Do With It?29

    Episode 29

    AI Isn't Coming. It's Already Here. The Real Question Is: What Are You Going to Do With It?

    Artificial intelligence has become impossible to ignore. Whether you're attending industry events, scrolling through LinkedIn, reading trade publications, or sitting in on internal planning meetings, AI inevitably finds

    46:33June 10, 2026
  11. The Digital Divide Isn’t What We Think It Is Anymore28

    Episode 28

    The Digital Divide Isn’t What We Think It Is Anymore

    For years, the industry has talked about the digital divide as a coverage problem. Build the network, extend the footprint, and the problem gets solved.

    35:01June 1, 2026
  12. Field Operations Are Brand Moments27

    Episode 27

    Field Operations Are Brand Moments

    Field operations shape brand perception. Ensure quality installs to build trust and prevent churn. Learn how technician performance impacts CX...

    29:51May 12, 2026
  13. Everything Works… Until It Doesn’t26

    Episode 26

    Everything Works… Until It Doesn’t

    Everything works fine until one person takes a day off. This conversation covers how growth exposes manual processes, undocumented knowledge, and the tension between sales and operations, and what to fix before those gaps become bottlenecks.

    31:31April 28, 2026
  14. The Stories We Carry: What the Field Teaches You About Running an ISP25

    Episode 25

    The Stories We Carry: What the Field Teaches You About Running an ISP

    The field teaches lessons no manual covers. In this episode the team trades real stories from support and field work, from de-escalating a tense install to the judgment calls technicians make inside customers' homes.

    37:45April 14, 2026
  15. MDUs: The Growth Opportunity That Isn’t So Simple24

    Episode 24

    MDUs: The Growth Opportunity That Isn’t So Simple

    Explore the complexities of managing MDUs, from customer expectations to operational challenges, and learn how to unlock their true growth potential.

    36:22April 1, 2026
  16. When the Internet Breaks, It’s Always the ISP… Even When It’s Not23

    Episode 23

    When the Internet Breaks, It’s Always the ISP… Even When It’s Not

    When a video will not load, customers blame the ISP, even when the network is healthy. This conversation covers the gap between network status and the experience inside the home, and why every connected device is now part of the service in the customer's mind.

    32:07March 17, 2026
  17. Traffic Shaping Isn’t the Villain. It’s a Responsibility.22

    Episode 22

    Traffic Shaping Isn’t the Villain. It’s a Responsibility.

    Traffic shaping sounds like throttling, but done responsibly it is one of the smartest tools an ISP has. This conversation covers what it is, how deep packet inspection and data inform it, and how to explain it without damaging customer trust.

    36:10March 3, 2026
  18. If You’re Accepting “Normal Install Confusion,” You’re Accepting Churn21

    Episode 21

    If You’re Accepting “Normal Install Confusion,” You’re Accepting Churn

    Learn how normal install confusion can lead to customer churn and discover actionable strategies to improve your ISP's onboarding process for

    31:12February 17, 2026
  19. AI for ISPs: Stop Guessing, Start Predicting20

    Episode 20

    AI for ISPs: Stop Guessing, Start Predicting

    Discover how AI can streamline workflows for ISPs, improve customer support, optimize field operations, and reduce churn, all while maintaining...

    38:32February 4, 2026
  20. Security Is a Moving Target — and ISPs Feel That Every Day19

    Episode 19

    Security Is a Moving Target — and ISPs Feel That Every Day

    ISPs face evolving security threats, from legacy hardware risks to access control failures. Discover strategies to strengthen your network in this episode.

    28:36January 20, 2026
  21. Marketing Without Guesswork: What ISPs Get Wrong and How to Fix It18

    Episode 18

    Marketing Without Guesswork: What ISPs Get Wrong and How to Fix It

    You do not get to opt out of marketing. You only choose whether to do it intentionally or poorly. This conversation covers branding, channel choice, measurement, and why being the only provider in town no longer protects an ISP.

    32:48January 6, 2026
  22. From Chaos to Clarity: Why ISP Growth Starts in the Field, Not the Funnel17

    Episode 17

    From Chaos to Clarity: Why ISP Growth Starts in the Field, Not the Funnel

    Discover how ISP growth starts on the ground with operational clarity, not just in the sales funnel. Learn insights from the latest Bandwidth podcast...

    39:05December 16, 2025
  23. When a Competitor Moves Into Your Market: What Really Happens Inside Your ISP16

    Episode 16

    When a Competitor Moves Into Your Market: What Really Happens Inside Your ISP

    A new competitor in your market tests more than your pricing. This conversation covers why fear pushes teams to overreact, how to make your presence and value clear before a rival arrives, and what actually protects your customer base.

    39:15December 2, 2025
  24. Outsourcing, Call Centers, and AI: Scaling Without Losing Your Identity15

    Episode 15

    Outsourcing, Call Centers, and AI: Scaling Without Losing Your Identity

    How ISPs can scale using outsourcing, call centers, and AI without sacrificing their identity. Learn what works and what risks to avoid for sustainable...

    34:17November 18, 2025
  25. When Culture Becomes a Punchline: Protecting Your ISP’s Values Through Growth14

    Episode 14

    When Culture Becomes a Punchline: Protecting Your ISP’s Values Through Growth

    Discover how to protect and nurture your ISP's culture through growth by aligning operations with core values and fostering a resilient, people-first team.

    35:35November 4, 2025
  26. Building Better Broadband Starts With Building Better Partnerships13

    Episode 13

    Building Better Broadband Starts With Building Better Partnerships

    Building better broadband requires strong partnerships. Learn from Curtis Dean of C-BAN on the importance of collaboration and community connection in...

    50:23October 28, 2025
  27. What No One Tells You About Selling Your ISP

    Bandwidth Podcast

    What No One Tells You About Selling Your ISP

    Selling an ISP is more than accepting the highest bid. Rick and Larry, who have both been through a sale as operators, join Georgette to cover how to evaluate a buyer, when to tell staff and customers, how private equity differs from a competitor, and why every owner needs a succession plan.

    37:16October 21, 2025
  28. When the Infrastructure Breaks, So Do Communities. That’s Why We Show Up.12

    Episode 12

    When the Infrastructure Breaks, So Do Communities. That’s Why We Show Up.

    After Hurricane Helene destroyed sections of North Carolina's fiber network, MCNC rebuilt it for the schools, hospitals, and regional providers that depend on it. Tracy Doaks, CEO of MCNC, joins Georgette and Rick to talk about disaster recovery, middle mile investment, and the rural digital divide.

    29:08October 16, 2025
  29. Data That Doesn’t Get Used Is Just Clutter11

    Episode 11

    Data That Doesn’t Get Used Is Just Clutter

    Maximize the value of your data by ensuring it's visible, timely, and relevant to every team member, driving better decisions and outcomes across your org.

    37:53October 14, 2025
  30. The Digital Divide Is Evolving, and It’s Not Just About Access10

    Episode 10

    The Digital Divide Is Evolving, and It’s Not Just About Access

    Explore how the digital divide has evolved beyond access to include device ownership, digital literacy, and connectivity, with insights from Megan...

    26:09October 1, 2025
  31. The Hidden Impact of Internet Failing in Disasters

    Bandwidth Podcast

    The Hidden Impact of Internet Failing in Disasters

    Wildfires, floods, ice storms, and tornadoes do not wait for a plan. This conversation covers how ISPs communicate before, during, and after a disaster, the safety calls that should never be close, how insurance and credits factor in, and why recovery plans need to account for mental health.

    43:10September 23, 2025
  32. When the Internet Isn't Intuitive: What We Miss in the Digital Divide Conversation09

    Episode 9

    When the Internet Isn't Intuitive: What We Miss in the Digital Divide Conversation

    Exploring the digital divide beyond access: understanding adoption, use, and the importance of digital literacy for true connectivity and community.

    30:30September 16, 2025
  33. Why Wireless Still Matters (and Always Will)08

    Episode 8

    Why Wireless Still Matters (and Always Will)

    Exploring the vital role of wireless broadband in modern connectivity, balancing costs, speed, and strategic deployment even as fiber continues to...

    33:34September 9, 2025
  34. “Only Certainty Is Uncertainty”: Live from Broadband Communities 202507

    Episode 7

    “Only Certainty Is Uncertainty”: Live from Broadband Communities 2025

    Explore industry insights and future strategies in our live podcast from Broadband Communities 2025, featuring Brad Randall of Beyond the Cable...

    28:30September 2, 2025
  35. AI Won’t Replace Support. But It Will Redefine It.06

    Episode 6

    AI Won’t Replace Support. But It Will Redefine It.

    AI is transforming support, but the human touch remains crucial. Ready to learn how to balance automation and empathy for a seamless customer experience?

    29:30August 19, 2025
  36. What Happens After the Deal Closes: The Messy Middle of M&A in Broadband05

    Episode 5

    What Happens After the Deal Closes: The Messy Middle of M&A in Broadband

    Explore post-acquisition integration in broadband M&A, highlighting how communication, culture, and strategy shape smoother transitions and outcomes.

    44:12August 7, 2025
  37. It Makes You Go Like This: The Real Stress of Running Network Operations04

    Episode 4

    It Makes You Go Like This: The Real Stress of Running Network Operations

    Facing the relentless stress of network operations? Learn about the key challenges & effective strategies to maintain a resilient, reliable network and...

    38:36July 23, 2025
  38. Radios, Meth Labs, and Poop Rooms: The Realities of ISP Field Work03

    Episode 3

    Radios, Meth Labs, and Poop Rooms: The Realities of ISP Field Work

    Discover the gritty, real-life experiences of ISP field techs, from bizarre mishaps to dangerous encounters, and why understanding these stories is crucial for anyone in the broadband industry.

    47:55July 9, 2025
  39. What AI Means for ISPs Like Yours: It’s Not Hype, It’s Coming02

    Episode 2

    What AI Means for ISPs Like Yours: It’s Not Hype, It’s Coming

    Ready to learn how AI is transforming ISPs, increasing bandwidth, and reshaping customer support? Discover actionable steps to prepare your business for...

    42:46June 24, 2025
  40. How Small ISPs Win in the Big Game | Bandwidth Podcast01

    Episode 1

    How Small ISPs Win in the Big Game | Bandwidth Podcast

    Ready to discover how small ISPs thrive by building strong, personal connections and delivering reliable service? In this episode, we share how to...

    44:28June 20, 2025