Webinars

The AAPB, in partnership with the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, is celebrating the publication of its new community broadband handbook “Own Your Internet: How to Build a Public Broadband Network” with a webinar series that spotlights the experiences of a number of communities building community networks.

Moderated by Bill Coleman, author of the AAPB handbook and longtime leader in community broadband, these webinars provide expert advice for AAPB members and feature the experiences of community leaders as they navigate establishing, building, or running a public broadband network.

Webinar One: How to Build a Public Broadband Network

This webinar focuses on why communities might consider building a publicly owned network, and the steps they would take to embark on this journey.

  • Bill Colman, Moderator
  • Jeff Reiman, The Broadband Group
  • Ellie de Villiers, Maple Broadband – Middlebury, Vermont
  • Cynthia Garza, Director or External Relations, City of Pharr, Texas
  • Christa Thorpe, Island Institute

Webinar Two: Determining Roles and Partnerships

The second webinar focused on the possible structures for public broadband networks, from government entities to cooperatives. The panelists discussed how communities determine which model is appropriate for them as they pursue and evaluate the partnerships they need for success.

  • Bill Colman, Moderator
  • Kim McKinley, Chief Marketing Officer of UTOPIA Fiber
  • Ann Marie Gordon, Senior Field Marketing Manager, Municipalities for Calix. Service Providers
  • Brieana Reed-Hamel, Broadband Manager for the City of Loveland Colorado’s Pulse Broadband
  • Greg Springer, Chief Financial Officer, CTC

Webinar Three: Building and Operating the Network

The last webinar focuses on the challenges of and strategies for building the physical infrastructure and launching services. Panelists discuss how they manage complex operations while also adapting to changing conditions, all in view of a community invested in their broadband.

  • Bill Colman, Moderator
  • Suzanne Heritage, Underline
  • Sachin Gupta, Cetranet Fiber
  • Eric Lage, Waterloo Fiber
  • Jon Willow, Community Broadband Action Network