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Artwork for Light Reading Podcasts

Light Reading Podcasts

Light Reading
Digital Divide
Broadband Access
Affordable Connectivity Program
Artificial Intelligence
BEAD Program
Telecommunications
AT&T
Broadband
Telecom Industry
FCC
Data Centers
Universal Service Fund
Cybersecurity
Ciena
Generative AI
Digital Equity Act
Huawei
Nokia
Verizon
5G Technology

This feed is Light Reading's main podcast feed for "The Light Reading Podcast," "The Divide," "The Light Reading Extra," and "What's the Story?"

Light Reading provides daily news, analysis and insight for the global communications networking and services industry. The publication was founded in 2000 and, since July 2016, has been a part of Informa Tech, a division of Informa PLC. We're part of a b... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes925Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Light Reading Podcasts

Latest Episodes

This week: Connect Humanity's Samantha Schartman and Mission Telecom's Mark Colwell discuss their 'Alt Funding Field Guide,' which explores a new approach to co-investing in digital adoption initiatives focusing on six sectors.

Hosted on Acast. See ... more

NCTC's Lou Borrelli and ACA Connects' Grant Spellmeyer hop on the podcast to preview The Independent Show, set for July 26-29 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, which will dig into top policy issues and tech trends for small and midsized operators.

Hoste... more

This week: Joey Wender, executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), joins to discuss the FCC's 'war on the E-Rate program' and what advocates can do to help save it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo... more

This week: NDIA's Angela Siefer returns to the podcast to discuss what's happened in the digital inclusion space since the Digital Equity Act was 'ended' by President Trump last year as well as ongoing efforts to restore funding.

Hosted on Acast. Se... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Samantha Schartman
Director of Philanthropic Programs, Connect Humanity
Connect Humanity
Episode: The Divide: Why digital inclusion needs a new funding model
Mark Colwell
Executive Director, Mission Telecom
Mission Telecom
Episode: The Divide: Why digital inclusion needs a new funding model
Joey Wender
Executive Director of SHLB (Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition)
SHLB
Episode: The Divide: SHLB's Joey Wender on the fight to save E-Rate
Angela Siefer
Executive Director at the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
Episode: The Divide: NDIA's Angela Siefer on the fight to restore the Digital Equity Act
Jessica Epley
Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs for Ziply Fiber
Ziply Fiber
Episode: The Divide: How permitting problems delay broadband builds
Pamela Sherwood
Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Broadband Office at Brightspeed
Brightspeed
Episode: The Divide: How permitting problems delay broadband builds
Brad Welch
Chief Operating Officer at CentraCom and Mayor of Fairview, Utah
CentraCom, City of Fairview
Episode: The Divide: How permitting problems delay broadband builds
Carol Mattey
Founder of Mattey Consulting; former Deputy Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC
Mattey Consulting
Episode: The Divide: Carol Mattey on BEAD hope and hysteria, and stalled USF reform
Vikash Harlalka
Director at New Street Research
New Street Research
Episode: Cable shows signs of improvement, but is it out of the woods?

Hosts

Nicole Ferraro
Host of The Divide; long-time Light Reading journalist and analyst.
Jeff Baumgartner
Senior Editor at Light Reading; frequent host and commentator on industry trends.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Pathetic

    Pathetic podcast, had high hopes to learn about Telco news!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SKLAMD
    Norway4 years ago
  • Easy way to Learn outside my core tech Area

    I really have enjoyed this podcast since I found in late in 2020. I listen to the new ones and go back through the history.

    I am in tech, but not not in the backbone networking. I find this really interesting, and have learned lot from this. If you have a broad tech background, this is easy to listen to and mostly understand,.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ivy League Writer
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel it guides non-technical audiences to telecom topics.
Others say it's accessible to tech pros outside core backbone networking and easy to follow.
Longtime listeners value breadth of topics and consistency in covering policy, funding, and deployment.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#161
Finland/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#214
Japan/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Divide: NDIA's Angela Siefer on the fight to restore the Digital Equity Act
Q: What is the outlook for BEAD and non-deployment funds?
There are delays and uncertainty in guidance on non-deployment funds, with frustration that funding could accelerate adoption and navigation programs; advocates expect ongoing work to shape future deployment and policy.
The Divide: NDIA's Angela Siefer on the fight to restore the Digital Equity Act
Q: What was learned from the Digital Equity Act Month of Action?
The month showed broad, cross-partisan engagement and a strong desire to push forward digital equity efforts, including meetings with lawmakers and a growing coalition beyond NDIA affiliates.
The Divide: Gigi Sohn on how to defeat opponents of public broadband
Q: Do you see private equity playing a larger role in these broadband debates, and why is that concerning?
Private equity control of critical infrastructure can drive up costs and consolidate ownership, which may undermine community-oriented outcomes and public access aims; the trend is concerning because it shifts power away from local communities.
The Divide: Gigi Sohn on how to defeat opponents of public broadband
Q: What resources are needed at the local and organizational level to respond quickly to dark money campaigns?
Have a prepared, visible community backing, rapid information dissemination through local channels, and an ongoing relationship with a watchdog or advocacy group like AAPB to respond to misinformation quickly; timing and community momentum are critical.
The Divide: Gigi Sohn on how to defeat opponents of public broadband
Q: What are some lessons learned for the town if they choose to try again?
Earlier engagement and grassroots backing are essential; mobilizing the community before engaging town processes makes campaigns less able to derail from outside influence, and clear, credible information about taxes and costs helps reduce misinformation.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Light Reading Podcasts

What is Light Reading Podcasts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A tech-forward business podcast focused on broadband, fiber deployment, policy, and network infrastructure. Its conversations consistently center on deployment realities, regulatory reform, funding programs, and the evolving technologies shaping connectivity, from BEAD and ACP to AI-enabled networks and fixed wireless. A distinctive strength is bringing together policy experts, industry analysts, and senior operators to translate complex policy and market shifts into practical implications for providers, policymakers, and investors. The show often features veteran FCC policy voices, industry executives, and technologists, offering pragmatic takes on timelines, funding, and technology choices that impact nationwide connectivity and the digit... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Light Reading Podcasts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Light Reading Podcasts:

1. Telecoms.com Podcast
2. The a16z Show
3. The Week with Roger
4. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
5. FT News Briefing

How many episodes of Light Reading Podcasts are there?

Light Reading Podcasts launched 8 years ago and published 925 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 Light Reading Podcasts?

Recent guests on Light Reading Podcasts include:

1. Samantha Schartman
2. Mark Colwell
3. Joey Wender
4. Angela Siefer
5. Jessica Epley
6. Pamela Sherwood
7. Brad Welch
8. Carol Mattey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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