CBAN Fall Forum 2023 (1200 x 630 px)

CBAN 2023 Fall Forum: What's Next For Broadband?

As BEAD and other funds begin to flow into states and communities, the landscape is evolving quickly and taking on new dimensions of opportunity and need. No longer simply about fast, reliable access, today's broadband advocates must take a myriad of new goals and considerations into account.

Join CBAN for three mornings of virtual learning and conversation designed to provide insight - and actionable ideas - to everyone working towards better broadband for all.

Admission is FREE, but you're welcome to make a small contribution to support CBAN's digital equity work here, or when you register.

CBAN 2023 Fall Forum Schedule 

(ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL. Some sessions will be pre-recorded; most will have a panelist present in chat during broadcast.)

 

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

10:00am

Opening and Welcome

10:05am

Sponsor Spotlight: Power & Tel

10:07am

Keynote: What's Next for Broadband?

John Horrigan, Benton Institute

After years - in some cases, decades - of working to bring reliable broadband to everyone in America, we are finally on the blocks and waiting for the starting gun, when BEAD funds are dispersed and all the years of planning and incremental progress will finally come together for communities everywhere. But before we get too comfortable, let's talk about how to sustain the momentum.

John Horrigan is a Benton Institute Senior Fellow and respected national expert on digital equity policy - from USAC and the ACP to the critical role of devices and skills training - and many things in between.

10:45am

TBA

10:50am

Preparing for BEAD

Host: Curtis Dean, CBAN

Learn about avoiding common BEAD challenges for communities and for states,

from red tape to letters of credit, procedural pitfalls and more.

Guests:

Chris Hall, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Sean Kelly, Newcom Technologies

11:30am

Closing Remarks

 

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

10:00am

Opening and Welcome

10:05am

Smart Cities: Key to Urban Digital Equity

Host: Curtis Dean, CBAN
Interconnected cities can deliver coordinated services seamlessly, to the benefit of all. But inequity

in broadband connections could serve to reinforce existing barriers instead.

Guests:

Ken Demlow, HR Green

Deb Socia, The Enterprise Center

10:45am

TBA

10:50am

Mapping Your Broadband Ecosystem

Host: Jon Willow, CBAN

As local and regional digital equity ecosystems develop and evolve, information sharing and

ongoing mapping of available resources will be key to digital equity success.

Learn how Michigan and others are getting it done.

Guests:

Eric Frederick, CCO, Michigan High Speed Internet Office

Wes Kerr, Connected Nation

11:30am

Closing Remarks

 

Thursday, October 5, 2023

10:00am

Opening and Welcome

10:05am

The Future of the Affordable Connectivity Program

Host: Jon Willow, CBAN

Current ACP funding is slated to be exhausted by mid-2024, sunsetting the program unless

Congress acts. Learn about what's being done to ensure the program's future, and what

you can do in your community to help keep the ACP strong.

Guests:

Tsion Tesfaye; NDIA; 

Sean Gonsalves, Institute for Local Self-Reliance

10:45am

TBA

10:50am

The Role of Devices in Digital Equity

Host: Curtis Dean and Jon Willow, CBAN

Wait, there's more to broadband access than connectivity? The need for quality, connected

devices to achieve digital equity is finally being recognized on a broader scale. But which

devices help the most, and how can communities tap into affordable device options?

Guests:

Karisa Tashjian, Digitunity,  

Ryan McFadden, Electronic Access Foundation

11:30am

Closing Remarks

CBAN 2023 FALL FORUM CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Chris Hall

Chris Hall joined the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in December 2022 as the Federal Program Officer (FPO) for the State of Iowa. In this role, Chris coordinates partnerships and outreach with state and local government, community organizations, and industries with a vested interest in NTIA’s high-speed internet grant programs.

Deb Socia

Deb Socia is President and CEO of The Enterprise Center, a nonprofit that nurtures innovation in Chattanooga with the goal of connecting people to resources and building an inclusive community. Growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the Innovation District, building digital equity, and supporting research and implementation of smart city applications are all a part of her focus.

Eric Frederick

Eric Frederick serves as Chief Connectivity Officer for Michigan's High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI). He is a state and community broadband policy and planning expert and a sought-after speaker on broadband and technology issues with experience working with local to international stakeholders to improve the access, adoption, and use of broadband.

John Horrigan

John Horrigan is a national expert on technology adoption, digital inclusion, and evaluating the outcomes and impacts of programs designed to promote communications technology adoption and use. He served as a member of the FCC's leadership team for the development of the National Broadband Plan and was a Pew Associate Fellow.

Karisa Tashjian

Karisa Tashjian is Digitunity’s Director of Programs. She is responsible for shaping and implementing the organization's vision, content strategies, and growth initiatives in alignment with its core mission to ensure that everyone who needs a computer has one along with the skills to use it.

Ken Demlow

Ken is an expert on Smart Meters and Smart Grid, fiber deployment, and economic development. His work spans the design, engineering, and operation of hundreds of thousands of telecommunications infrastructure miles, including over 30k miles of fiber.

Ryan McFadden

Ryan is the founder of the Electronic Access Foundation (EAF), a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey that is entirely volunteer-led. Ryan founded EAF to address the need for digital access and the organization works in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Sean Gonsalves

As Senior Reporter and Editor at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative, Sean is well-versed in how federal broadband funds in the American Rescue Plan Act and the BEAD program are being put to use by states and local communities.

Sean Kelly

Sean's areas of expertise are Geographic Information Systems, Cartography, Project Management and Statistics. His breadth of experience spans GIS data aggregation and setup, network design, construction plan standardization and staff training. 

Tsion Tesfaye

Tsion joined the NDIA team in February 2022 in the role of Senior Research and Policy Manager. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Tsion is enthusiastic about advocating for policies that ensure everyone can benefit from advancements in technology.

Wes Kerr

Wes Kerr is a skilled professional with over 18 years of experience working to close the Digital Divide all across the United States. He is currently the Director of Community Solutions for Connected Nation, where he supports the development and implementation of Technology Action Plans for communities.

FOR OUR CBAN ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

You are welcome to participate in CBAN events as an attendee at no charge. Or, you may choose to become a SPONSOR to help CBAN offset the costs for the Forum! Contact Curtis Dean at cdean@broadbandaction.com to learn more.

CBAN members are always encouraged to suggest or contribute events, provided they are open to the public and of general interest to the broadband community. Please contact us with your event submission.