The New Challenges Facing Community Broadband with Curtis Dean #48
In this episode of Print to Pixel, Dennis Kelly speaks with Curtis Dean, executive director of the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN), about the changing broadband landscape and the role community-focused providers play in expanding access. Curtis shares his journey from radio journalism into broadband and explains how CBAN connects communities, providers, nonprofits, and vendors to help solve broadband challenges. The conversation explores how federal funding, regulatory uncertainty, and growing competition from Starlink, 5G, and national brands are affecting local broadband operators. Curtis also discusses why providers need to keep telling their story, how marketing can help them compete and build community trust, and why measuring marketing’s impact matters. The episode looks ahead at industry trends, including supply-chain pressures and the rising cost of fiber. Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome and Curtis’s path into broadband 02:15 — From radio journalism to community broadband 04:10 — What CBAN does and who it serves 08:55 — Broadband growth and the gaps that remain 15:20 — Competition, BEAD funding, and regulatory uncertainty 21:10 — Why broadband providers need stronger marketing 29:10 — Measuring marketing impact and using data 33:35 — Trends ahead: competition and fiber supply 36:35 — How to connect with CBAN Get in Touch with Curtis: Email: hello@broadbandaction.com Website: https://broadbandaction.com Mentions: Fiber Broadband Association Starlink Amazon T-Mobile Verizon Corning More About Postalytics: Postalytics Website LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
