Connected Nation – Details, episodes & analysis

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we conclude our coverage of the Broadband Communities Summit West.  Learn how a relatively new nonprofit is helping community organizations bridge the Digital Divide; explore another company's unique approach to helping smaller ISPs secure funding; AND hear from one man who is taking connecting his community into his own hands.

Recommended Links:
Curtis Dean Linkedin
Community Broadband Action Network
Scott Sampson Linkedin
Mac Mountain LLC.
Robert Ford Mance Linkedin
Ford Mance Capital Advisors

Past Broadband Communities Summit West episodes:
Sounds of the Summit: Episode #1
Sounds from the Summit: Why 100% connectivity is a moving target in the Sunflower State
Sounds of the Summit: Upcoming trends in digital inclusion and how one ISP is revolutionizing local connectivity
Sounds of the Summit: Today's perceptions in telehealth and Hawaii's vision for full connectivity

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Communities Summit West conference.

We discuss new trends in telehealth with a leading researcher on the topic and talk to a representative from Hawaiian Telecom about the state's goal to have a 100% connectivity by 2026.

Recommended Links:
Chris McGovern Linkedin
Jonathan Delahoyde Linkedin
Hawaiian Telecom

Past Broadband Communities Summit West episodes:
Sounds of the Summit: Episode #1
Sounds from the Summit: Why 100% connectivity is a moving target in the Sunflower State
Sounds of the Summit: Upcoming trends in digital inclusion and how one ISP is revolutionizing local connectivity

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership at Total Telecom about a new event that’s focused on connecting “every community in the Western US with next-generation communications infrastructure.”

From cutting-edge technologies to proven broadband strategies – we’ll find out what topics, speakers, and innovations you can expect to explore during the inaugural Broadband Communities Summit WEST. 

Recommended Links:
BBC WEST REGISTRATION
Brad Randall's LinkedIn

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the "need for speed" when it comes to internet connectivity – specifically how the U-S is doing in comparison to the E-U.

The Fair Internet Report has been tracking *international* broadband performance for years. The report’s lead researcher shares when there was a “transformational change” in download speeds, how the US approaches upgrades differently than European countries, and where the fastest internet speeds can be found.

Related Links:
Compare broadband providers near you at https://fairinternetreport.com/

Read the full study at https://fairinternetreport.com/research/usa-vs-europe-internet-speed-analysis

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On this episode of Connected Nation,  we talk with those behind Accelecom  – a company created specifically to manage commercial access to Kentucky’s newly created state-owned, fiber optic network.

We ask how the company is helping  private and nonprofit organizations tap into the  new, high-speed network, why it’s a good business model, and what mistakes - and victories - were made along the way  that other states can learn from.

Related links:
Company website: https://accelecom.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accelecom/

NOTE: In the podcast, we discuss the founder of Connected Nation but did not name the professor. In 2001, Dr. Linda Ellis Johnson joined the staff of the Kentucky Governor’s office as Chief IT Strategist in the Office for the New Economy and simultaneously started a non-profit corporation committed to building technology public-private partnerships.

Dr. Johnson began her career as an academic at Western Kentucky University where in 1991 she joined the faculty as a Professor of Information Systems in the Gordon Ford College of Business.  She became Chair of the Department in 1996 providing leadership for the unit until 2001.

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the President and CMO for Parks Associates - a national market and research consulting firm.  Learn how this woman and family-owned firm became one of the most trusted companies in tech research and find out what emerging consumer tech trends leadership sees on the horizon. 

Related links:
Parks Associates website - https://www.parksassociates.com/

Twitter: @elizparks and @ParksAssociates

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/parksassociates/

Parks Associates events page - https://www.parksassociates.com/events

Recent press releases:
25% of US broadband households intend to purchase a smart appliance in the next six months 

Parks Associates estimates that almost 114 million US households access the internet at home 

Health at home is entering the mainstream 

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the idea of building an internet for everyone in every corner of the globe. 
 
We’ll talk with the man who serves as the regional Vice President for North America for the Internet Society – a nonprofit working to not only extend the internet’s reach but also protect its long-term well-being.   

Related links:
Internet society website: https://www.internetsociety.org/

The Internet Society’s Action Plan 2022 (pdf) - https://www.internetsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-ISOC-Action-Plan-EN.pdf

Learn more about Community Networks: https://www.internetsociety.org/issues/community-networks/

Follow the Internet Society on social media - Twitter at @internetsociety and Facebook at Internet Society

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Dr. Fallon Wilson, who is the co-founder and CEO of Black Tech Futures Research institute. We’ll discuss her work for equal access and representation in tech, media, and telecommunications AND learn more about her prophecies for Black tech in America.

Related links:
Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council website - https://www.mmtconline.org/

 #BlackTechFutures Black Institute website - https://www.blacktechfutures.com/

 Twitter: @sistahwilson and @mmtconline

 TEDx Talk from Dr. Fallon Wilson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNkWdZoqcMk

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On this episode of Connected Nation,  we explore the important work being done by the Black Churches 4 Broadband Coalition.   

Learn how the group is working to better connect black communities, what resources each of us can share to help others, AND why the Coalition calls the need for universal broadband "a civil rights issue." 

Related links: 
Black Churches 4 Broadband Coalition website - https://www.blackchurches4broadband.org/

Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council website - https://www.mmtconline.org/

Twitter -  @blackchurchpacand @mmtconline

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On this episode of Connected Nation, we take a deep dive with those behind efforts to improve high-speed internet coverage across all areas of Texas – which is not an easy task when you consider how large the Lone Star State is.

We’ll discuss what it has taken to develop better broadband coverage data for a whopping 254 counties – we’ll ask why that’s so important and explore the reason 2022 is a critical time not for just Texas but for every state in the union.
 
Related links:
Interactive broadband coverage map:  https://connectednation.org/texas/interactivemap

State Maps Link: https://connectednation.org/texas/state-maps
County Maps Link: https://connectednation.org/texas/county-maps/

The Connected Nation Texas website: connectednation.org/texas