Rephonic
Artwork for Unbuffered
Starlink
Community Broadband
Broadband Access
Digital Equity
Digital Divide
Municipal Broadband
Rural Broadband
Broadband
NTIA
Affordable Connectivity Program
Digital Equity Act
FCC
AT&T
Broadband Connectivity
Internet Access
Telecommunications
Universal Service Fund
Fiber Optics
CBRS
Internet Service Providers

Unbuffered explores Internet access, digital equity, and local technology solutions, but with a broader lens on how tech shapes our lives, our communities, and our sense of agency. We make technology and technology makes us.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes728Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Tech NewsNewsScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for Unbuffered

Latest Episodes

Are Flock safety cameras keeping communities safe, or just building a private dragnet for mass surveillance? Chris sits down with independent reporter Daniel Boguslaw to unpack the Flock Safety debate and reveal how everyday citizens are fighting bac... more

Chris and Doug Dawson discuss a major court ruling that could make Fiber deployment across railroad rights-of-way easier, Starlink’s ambitions to become a mobile network operator, and what recent court decisions could mean for the future of the FCC. more

Lee Brown and John Fredericks join Chris to discuss how Erwin Fiber weathered Hurricane Helene and what the community is building back stronger.

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From Massachusetts' affordable housing retrofit program to a giant mirror in space, Chris and Sean unpack the latest stories shaping broadband.

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Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Connected NationJessica Denson

Recent Guests

Lee Brown
President and CEO of Erwin Utilities
Erwin Utilities
Episode: Built for the Storm - Episode 21 of Unbuffered
John Fredericks
Director of Information Technology and Erwin Fiber
Erwin Fiber
Episode: Built for the Storm - Episode 21 of Unbuffered
Arturo Orez
Advocate for California broadband policy
NextGen Policy
Episode: Dialing Back Protections: The Battle for California's Lifelines - Episode 18 of Unbuffered
Sean Gonsalves
Co-author of Verge piece on broadband BEAD implementation
The Verge
Episode: The Plot to Hijack America’s Broadband - Episode 15 of Unbuffered
Karl Bodhi
Co-author of Verge piece on broadband BEAD implementation
The Verge
Episode: The Plot to Hijack America’s Broadband - Episode 15 of Unbuffered
Matt Rantanen
Board President, Waska Weegin; Tribal Broadband Bootcamp co-founder
Waska Weewin; Tribal Broadband Bootcamp
Episode: Five Years of Tribal Broadband Bootcamps - Episode 14 of Unbuffered
Christopher Mitchell
Director, Community Broadband Networks; co-founder of Tribal Broadband Bootcamp
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Episode: Five Years of Tribal Broadband Bootcamps - Episode 14 of Unbuffered
Jeff Gavlinski
CEO of Mountain Connect
Mountain Connect
Episode: What the Tech!?! SpaceX IPO Edition - Episode 13 of Unbuffered
Valerie Dodd
Executive Director, NextLight (Longmont, CO)
Episode: How NextLight Became the #1 Internet Service Provider in the Country - Episode 12 of Unbuffered

Hosts

Christopher Mitchell
Host of Unbuffered, focused on guiding discussion and introducing guests; long-time advocate for community broadband and municipal networks.
Sean Gonsalves
Co-host / Associate Director of Communications; helps curate guests and topics with a local-networking focus.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 35 ratings
  • Informative beyond recognition

    The folks that do this podcast lay out the issues for rural and low income areas in regards to obtaining quality low cost internet via fiber. It is always worth my time to listen so I can help my neighbors understand why many of us will continue to need satellite options for internet service.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chiefers1998
    United States2 months ago
  • Internet industry experts, unbuffered

    If you want to stay informed about how government and industry affects local access to digital opportunities and resources, you’ve found the right podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crgreene73
    United States5 months ago
  • Warm duck shuffle

    Christopher out there putting in work. Best tech podcast hands down. Thank y’all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Reflectomatron 9000
    United States6 years ago
  • MuniBroadband Bits Rocks!

    Always topical, always exciting, always fresh and fast-paced!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrewClark
    United States8 years ago
  • Fantastic muni broadband info

    As a Systems Admin in a rural community who is two years into municipal fiber deployment, I enjoy hearing about others who have been down the road and the insights they provide.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EPD169
    United States9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great for understanding municipal networks and BEAD implications.
Fresh takes on AI governance and platform power complement classic broadband topics.
Accessible yet technically solid, good for sponsors targeting policy-minded tech audiences.
Experts and insiders provide clear, pragmatic takes on broadband policy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#163
New Zealand/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Technology Without Guardrails - Episode 19 of Unbuffered
Q: So what is going on with the Center for AI Research and why was it created?
It was created as a multi-million-dollar effort staffed by open-source and circumvention experts to develop tools that protect privacy and provide safeguards against AI-enabled surveillance, while also exploring how to harness AI for beneficial uses.
Technology Without Guardrails - Episode 19 of Unbuffered
Q: Did I get that right? I just wrote FISA, but then what's the I? Is intelligence?
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; it's the foreign part that is most confusing, but the act governs surveillance within and related to the United States, raising questions about warrants and oversight.
Dialing Back Protections: The Battle for California's Lifelines - Episode 18 of Unbuffered
Q: What is the role of state versus federal regulation in this issue?
States like California argue for ongoing oversight to protect universal service, while federal preemption attempts seek to shift decisions to federal rules; advocates emphasize that both levels should coordinate to preserve service standards and reliability.
Dialing Back Protections: The Battle for California's Lifelines - Episode 18 of Unbuffered
Q: Why is the copper-to-IP transition controversial from a public safety perspective?
The concern is that replacing copper with IP-based or wireless solutions could reduce reliability during disasters and emergencies, and absence of copper-legacy safeguards may undermine emergency 911 access and location data, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Dialing Back Protections: The Battle for California's Lifelines - Episode 18 of Unbuffered
Q: Arturo, can you set the stage for what is happening in California right now?
California is in a pivotal moment where AT&T is attempting to end its copper-based carrier obligations through legislation, CPUC proceedings, FCC petitions, and a federal lawsuit, all while advocates insist on maintaining universal service, reliability, and affordability for all Californians.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Unbuffered

What is Unbuffered about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful deep-dive into how connectivity is built and governed, with a focus on universal access, digital equity, and locally driven solutions. Episodes frequently explore community networks, municipal fiber projects, permitting, funding (BEAD, ACP), and regulatory dynamics, alongside broader tech policy topics like AI governance and platform power. The show tends to blend practical case studies from cities and utilities with policy analysis, inviting guests from public agencies, advocacy groups, and industry to illuminate how local action can shape national outcomes. It stands out for its hands-on, local-first lens on broadband deployment and for unpacking complex policy questions in accessible terms, making it useful for listeners who... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unbuffered?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unbuffered:

1. The Broadband Bunch
2. Fiber for Breakfast with Gary Bolton
3. Light Reading Podcasts
4. Connected Nation
5. Ralph Nader Radio Hour

How many episodes of Unbuffered are there?

Unbuffered launched 14 years ago and published 728 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Unbuffered?

Recent guests on Unbuffered include:

1. Lee Brown
2. John Fredericks
3. Arturo Orez
4. Sean Gonsalves
5. Karl Bodhi
6. Matt Rantanen
7. Christopher Mitchell
8. Jeff Gavlinski

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