Wavelengths

Hosted by Amphenol Broadband Solutions

Business Science

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Wavelengths, a podcast with Amphenol Broadband Solutions.

Listen to episodes

48 recent

September 24, 2024Episode 138 min

Creating and Enhancing Network Resilience Can Curtail Threats From Natural Disasters

Richard Murtha, of Kinetic by Windstream, discusses how broadband networks can be fortified to endure natural disasters.

August 27, 2024Episode 140 min

In Bridging Together, Utilities and Broadband Partnerships are Shaping the Future of Connectivity

Bill Major, CEO at FiberLight, discusses the evolving landscape of utilities and broadband partnerships, and how it's the key to modernizing.

June 11, 2024Episode 159 min

Navigating the Future of Telecommunications: Demand Forecasting, Government Programs, and Artificial Intelligence

Bill O'Donnell and Barry Holt of Amphenol Broadband Solutions, discuss how the telecommunications industry is responding to increased changes.

April 17, 2024Episode 141 min

Rural Broadband Infrastructure is Foundational for the Next Wave of Agricultural Technology

Curt Blades, SVP of Agriculture Services & Forestry at AEM discusses agriculture technology, and rural broadband infrastructure's importance.

February 20, 2024Episode 147 min

Bridging the Digital Divide Will Depend Heavily on the Future of Rural Broadband Expansion

High-speed internet access is synonymous with economic prosperity, however, the disparity in broadband infrastructure between urban and rural communities has never been more pronounced. As the digital revolution marches on, the divide widens, leaving rural communities deep in the shadows of technological advancement. But this stark reality centers an urgent call to action, spearheaded by initiatives like BEAD funding, which is aimed at revitalizing rural broadband infrastructure. Amidst this backdrop, the critical question looms: How can rural communities navigate the complex maze of broadband expansion to bridge the digital divide effectively? For another insightful episode of Wavelengths, an Amphenol Broadband Solutions podcast, host Daniel Litwin is joined by Brant Carter, Director of Industry Products at Sitetracker. The two unraveled the intricacies of broadband expansion in rural areas. This episode also explored the challenges, opportunities, and innovative strategies pivotal for the successful deployment of rural broadband infrastructure. In this episode, Litwin and Carter delved into: ● The current state of rural broadband expansion and the unique challenges rural communities face, from geographical constraints to resource limitations. ● Exploring actionable strategies for rural telcos to navigate the complex landscape of broadband deployment. ● The Role of BEAD Funding and examining its impact on the rural broadband landscape and how it shapes the future of connectivity in rural America. Brant Carter is the Director of Industry Products at Sitetracker. With a distinguished career at the company, he has a wealth of experience in telecommunications infrastructure. His role includes deploying critical infrastructure across various sectors, managing multi-billion dollar projects globally. This has allowed Carter to be positioned as a leading voice in telecommunications infrastructure.

January 9, 2024Episode 151 min

Nuances of BEAD Funding: A Roundtable Discussion

In a timely and important episode about the deployment and execution of federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, several telecommunications experts weighed in on the program’s future. With 2023 coming to a close, this conversation about BEAD comes at the right time as it marks a year filled with substantial updates and progress in broadband infrastructure initiatives. The BEAD initiative, part of a broader effort to revitalize and expand broadband infrastructure in the U.S., has seen significant progress over the year. Now, with all states and territories having submitted their BEAD funding proposals, this episode delves into the critical phase of this transformative project. The stakes are high as this funding aims to reshape and improve America's digital landscape. This subsequently raises the question, how effectively are the BEAD funds being managed and allocated, and what are the broader implications for U.S. broadband infrastructure? For a new episode of "Wavelengths," an Amphenol Broadband Solutions podcast, host Daniel Litwin brought together an impressive panel for a major roundtable discussion on BEAD funding. He was joined by Zachary Raley, SVP and Advisor to the CEO of Amphenol, Ben Elkins, CEO of AireBeam, and Diana Goovaerts, Executive Editor, Fierce Telecom and Silverlinings. The episode made a deep dive into the state of BEAD funding, exploring its achievements, challenges, and future trajectory. Several points tackled during the episode included: An evaluation of the successes and obstacles encountered in implementing BEAD funding. Assessing the strategic adequacy of proposals submitted by all 56 states and territories. Insights into the expected long-term effects of BEAD funding on U.S. broadband expansion. Zachary Raley is a seasoned advisor at Amphenol and its SVP. He has a unique perspective on equipment and hardware essential for broadband expansion. Ben Elkins is the CEO of AireBeam and provides an operator's viewpoint and is an expert on the success of the BEAD program in Arizona. Diana Goovaerts offers an editorial lens, discussing the broader context and critical issues surrounding BEAD funding.

December 23, 2025Episode 130 min

2025 Broadband Year in Review, Part 1

In this episode of Wavelengths, the Amphenol Broadband Solutions podcast, host Daniel Litwin sits down with Alex Rozek, Founder and CEO of Mac Mountain, to unpack the defining shifts that shaped the broadband industry in 2025 and what they signal for the years ahead. As the industry approaches the end of 2025, broadband looks markedly different than it did just a year ago. Fiber and fixed wireless continue to challenge cable’s long-held dominance, BEAD funding has been rewritten midstream, spectrum has changed hands at historic scale, and satellites have emerged as a more viable connectivity option for a growing number of users. At the same time, new operating and financing models are reshaping how networks are built, owned, and operated. Rozek brings a builder’s perspective to this year-in-review conversation, drawing on his experience investing in, operating, and scaling broadband businesses. In Part 1 of this two-part discussion, the focus centers on financing trends, content shifts, and the growing momentum behind broadband-as-a-service models that treat connectivity less like a one-time construction project and more like a long-term utility. Key Discussion Highlights: • The 2025 Financing Landscape: Rozek outlines how broadband remains a capital-intensive business, but one where capital continues to flow, from private credit and municipal bonds to large-scale satellite investments, highlighting how financing structures are evolving alongside network deployment strategies. • BEAD’s Mid-Flight Reset: He discusses how changes to BEAD funding rules in 2025 expanded eligible technologies and altered expectations around grant availability, forcing operators and communities to rethink how projects are financed and prioritized. • Content as a Catalyst: Rozek explores how cord-cutting, streaming adoption, and ESPN’s move to a direct-to-consumer streaming model represent a major inflection point—reducing friction for data-only broadband adoption and reshaping how consumers think about connectivity. • Broadband as a Service Explained: Drawing from firsthand experience with municipal networks and tax-advantaged financing, Rozek explains how separating network assets from operations unlocks lower-cost capital, operational scale, and more sustainable long-term economics. • Efficiency Through Scale: He details why consolidating billing, network operations, customer service, and systems across multiple networks creates meaningful efficiencies, allowing operators to manage larger footprints without linear cost increases. This episode sets the foundation for a deeper exploration of how service models, partnerships, and differentiated customer acquisition strategies are redefining broadband deployment. In Part 2, the conversation continues with a closer look at competition across fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and satellite, and how operators can position themselves for long-term success in a rapidly evolving connectivity landscape.

November 10, 2026Episode 143 min

A Mountaineer's Perspective on Engineering

In this episode of Wavelengths, the Amphenol Broadband Solutions podcast, host Daniel Litwin welcomes Rakesh Thakare, Director of Product Engineering at Amphenol Broadband Solutions, for a unique conversation exploring how the lessons learned from extreme mountaineering translate into designing reliable, resilient broadband infrastructure. From the frozen landscapes of Antarctica to the demanding terrain of the Himalayas, Thakare has spent more than 25 years pursuing some of the world's most challenging mountaineering experiences. His expeditions have reinforced the importance of preparation, disciplined decision-making, risk assessment, and trusting equipment in environments where even small mistakes can have serious consequences. These same principles play a critical role in his professional work, where engineering decisions must account for harsh climates, remote installations, and decades of reliable performance. Throughout the conversation, Thakare shares stories from his expedition to Antarctica's Vinson Massif, explains how knowing when to turn back can be just as important as reaching the summit, and draws parallels between climbing equipment and the materials, testing standards, and quality control processes behind broadband products. Together, Daniel and Rakesh explore how a mountaineer's mindset can help engineers anticipate failure, design for extreme conditions, and build infrastructure that performs reliably long after installation. Key Discussion Highlights: • Preparation Is the Foundation of Success: Whether planning a mountaineering expedition or developing a new broadband product, Thakare emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation. From evaluating climbing routes and equipment to selecting engineering materials and validating designs, success begins long before the final challenge. • Extreme Environments Demand Physical and Mental Resilience: Thakare recounts his experience climbing Vinson Massif in Antarctica, where freezing temperatures, powerful winds, heavy equipment, and unpredictable weather required extraordinary patience, endurance, and disciplined decision-making. • Knowing When to Turn Back Is a Critical Skill: Reaching a summit isn't always the right decision. Thakare shares experiences where dangerous weather and altitude-related challenges forced him to abandon climbs, illustrating why safety, sound judgment, and long-term thinking must take priority over short-term achievements. • Design for the Worst Conditions, Not the Best: Just as mountaineers prepare for unexpected weather and equipment failures, broadband engineers must design products to withstand extreme operating environments. Thakare explains how anticipating potential failure points and building appropriate safeguards into designs helps ensure long-term reliability. • The Right Materials Make All the Difference: Broadband cables may need to perform in temperatures ranging from approximately -40°C to +40°C. Selecting materials that maintain performance through extreme temperature changes, expansion, contraction, and environmental exposure is essential to creating dependable infrastructure. • Redundancy Requires Strategic Decision-Making: Carrying backup equipment is critical during an expedition, but unnecessary weight can create additional challenges. The same balance applies to engineering, where identifying critical components and implementing targeted redundancies helps improve reliability without adding unnecessary complexity. • Testing and Certification Build Trust: From climbing ropes and harnesses to broadband cables and connectors, Thakare highlights the importance of relying on equipment that has been tested against established industry standards. Material qualification, rigorous validation, and repeatable testing processes help ensure products perform as intended. • Remote Broadband Deployments Present Unique Challenges: Building connectivity infrastructure in isolated locations requires special attention to environmental conditions, maintenance accessibility, and product durability. Thakare explains why remote deployments, harsh climates, and long-term reliability are among his most important engineering considerations. • Small Design Decisions Can Prevent Major Failures: Seemingly minor choices involving materials, component construction, and testing procedures can have significant consequences over a product's lifespan. Thakare discusses how evaluating real-world conditions, including temperature extremes and repeated mechanical stress, helps engineers identify vulnerabilities before products reach the field. • Long-Term Reliability Matters More Than Short-Term Success: Thakare believes the greatest lesson broadband engineering can borrow from mountaineering is the combination of preparation, discipline, and long-term thinking. Just as he prioritizes a lifetime of safe climbing over a single summit, he approaches product engineering with the goal of delivering dependable performance for decades. While mountaineering and broadband engineering may appear to be entirely different disciplines, both depend on preparation, sound decision-making, and the ability to perform when conditions become unpredictable. Thakare's experiences demonstrate how lessons learned in some of the world's most unforgiving environments can strengthen the engineering practices behind the connectivity infrastructure people rely on every day. For Amphenol Broadband Solutions, that mindset reinforces a commitment to durability, rigorous testing, and long-term performance. By approaching product design with the same discipline required to navigate extreme mountain environments, engineers can create more resilient solutions built to withstand the challenges of today's broadband networks and the demands of tomorrow.

October 13, 2026Episode 124 min

Powering the AI Era: How Energy & Connectivity are Converging to Support the Next Generation of Digital Infrastructure Pt. 2

In Part 2 of Wavelengths, the Amphenol Broadband Solutions podcast, host Daniel Litwin continues his conversation with Sandeep Prakash, a senior program manager specializing in data center infrastructure planning, to explore how the industry can balance explosive AI growth with sustainability, efficiency, and long-term infrastructure planning. As AI workloads demand more compute, data centers, connectivity, and power, the infrastructure supporting that growth faces an increasingly difficult challenge: scaling quickly without abandoning environmental and efficiency goals. Sustainability commitments made before the current AI boom are now colliding with a dramatically different demand environment, forcing organizations to rethink how they generate power, cool facilities, locate infrastructure, and plan for future capacity. In Part 2 of the discussion, Prakash examines how renewable energy, more efficient hardware, advanced cooling technologies, workload optimization, and smarter infrastructure planning can help close that gap. Daniel and Sandeep also look further ahead at how geographic diversification, energy storage, nuclear power, and even emerging concepts like orbital data centers could shape the next generation of AI infrastructure—and why greater collaboration between the energy, telecom, and data center industries will be essential. Key Discussion Highlights: • AI Growth Is Challenging Existing Sustainability Goals: Many corporate sustainability commitments were established before today's rapid expansion of AI. As data center demand grows, organizations may need to reassess how they pursue long-term emissions and efficiency targets while supporting significantly higher infrastructure requirements. • Renewable Energy Can Solve More Than One Problem: Solar, wind, and other alternative energy sources aren't only tools for reducing emissions. In certain markets, they can also be deployed faster than traditional grid infrastructure, helping operators bring new power capacity online more quickly. • Efficiency Can Become a Sustainability Strategy: Improvements in GPU architecture and data center design are allowing more of the energy entering a facility to directly support computing workloads, helping operators increase capacity without proportionally increasing energy consumption. • Cooling Technology Is Continuing to Evolve: Advances in liquid cooling and other alternatives to traditional cooling approaches can improve efficiency while reducing pressure on local water resources—an increasingly important consideration for data centers operating in water-constrained regions. • Workloads Can Be Shifted to Better Utilize Available Power: Not every AI workload needs to operate at the same time. Moving certain computing tasks away from periods of peak residential energy demand can help data centers make better use of existing grid capacity. • Future-Proofing Requires a More Flexible Energy Strategy: Long-term infrastructure planning will increasingly depend on a mix of generation, transmission, renewable energy, and battery storage that allows power to move from areas of abundance to regions experiencing capacity constraints. • Location Will Become Even More Strategic: Future data center development will require careful consideration of where power availability, high-bandwidth connectivity, population density, and latency requirements intersect. Geographic diversification can help create more resilient infrastructure while bringing compute closer to demand. • Emerging Technologies Could Reshape the Infrastructure Landscape: Nuclear and fusion power represent potential long-term sources of high-density energy, while concepts such as orbital data centers could eventually offer new ways to distribute certain computing workloads beyond traditional terrestrial facilities. • Infrastructure Industries Are Increasingly Co-Evolving: Energy, telecom, data centers, and AI can no longer develop independently. Decisions about network infrastructure increasingly influence power planning and vice versa, creating a need for much closer collaboration across industries. • Collaboration Will Be Critical to Navigating an Uncertain Future: AI demand remains difficult to predict, making flexibility and cooperation increasingly important. Rather than relying on perfect forecasts, Prakash argues that infrastructure stakeholders should build stronger partnerships and adaptable strategies capable of responding as technology and demand evolve. As AI continues to reshape the digital economy, scaling its physical infrastructure will require more than simply building additional data centers or generating more power. The opportunity lies in making the entire ecosystem more efficient, flexible, and interconnected—from energy generation and cooling technologies to network planning and workload management.

September 22, 2026Episode 122 min

Powering the AI Era: How Energy & Connectivity are Converging to Support the Next Generation of Digital Infrastructure Pt. 1

In this episode of Wavelengths, the Amphenol Broadband Solutions podcast, host Daniel Litwin sits down with Sandeep Prakash, a senior program manager specializing in data center infrastructure planning, to explore how the rapid growth of AI is transforming the relationship between energy, connectivity, and digital infrastructure. Behind every AI model, query, and emerging use case is a physical infrastructure layer responsible for supplying enormous amounts of compute, power, and connectivity. As AI evolves from relatively simple chatbot interactions toward compute-intensive reasoning models, real-time inference, video processing, and other advanced workloads, the industry's infrastructure requirements are growing just as quickly. The conversation examines how this acceleration is shifting the AI bottleneck from GPUs and chips toward the power and data center capacity needed to operate them. Daniel and Sandeep also explore why energy and connectivity can no longer be planned independently, the challenges utilities face in bringing new capacity online quickly, and why forecasting infrastructure demand has become increasingly difficult as AI use cases continue to evolve. Key Discussion Highlights: • AI Is Becoming an Infrastructure Story: The conversation around AI often centers on software and models, but continued growth increasingly depends on the physical data centers, networks, and energy systems capable of supporting them. • The Bottleneck Is Shifting Toward Power: As GPU availability and computing technology evolve, one of the industry's biggest constraints is becoming the availability of sufficient power and data center capacity to operate increasingly compute-intensive AI workloads. • AI Demand Is Growing More Complex: The industry has moved beyond relatively straightforward chatbot queries toward reasoning systems, large language models, real-time inference, video processing, and other workloads that require significantly greater computing resources. • Energy and Connectivity Are Converging: Network engineers historically planned around fiber, bandwidth, and latency while utilities focused on generation, transmission, and load forecasting. AI infrastructure is forcing those planning decisions to become tightly connected. • Data Center Location Now Depends on Both Power and Network Access: Finding fiber is no longer enough. Operators increasingly need locations where high-bandwidth connectivity intersects with hundreds of megawatts of reliable, readily available power. • Utilities Are Searching for Faster Paths to Capacity: With traditional grid infrastructure potentially requiring years to build, providers are exploring renewable energy sources, faster interconnection processes, and upgrades to existing infrastructure to bring additional capacity online sooner. • Forecasting AI Demand Is Especially Difficult: Infrastructure investments require long planning horizons, while AI workloads and use cases can change dramatically in just a few years. Historical demand patterns may no longer be reliable predictors of future infrastructure needs. • Resilient Planning Requires Flexibility: Building additional buffers into infrastructure planning can help absorb short-term volatility, but long-lead equipment, global supply constraints, and rapidly changing technology still create significant uncertainty. • Community and Sustainability Concerns Add Another Constraint: Data center expansion isn't purely an engineering challenge. Environmental concerns, community opposition, and local permitting can delay or stop projects even in regions experiencing significant infrastructure demand. • The Demand-Supply Gap Requires New Planning Strategies: Closing the gap will require closer coordination among utilities, data center operators, network providers, suppliers, and local stakeholders as the industry balances immediate AI demand with long-term infrastructure development. As AI becomes embedded across more industries and applications, its future will depend just as much on physical infrastructure as advances in software. For data center operators, utilities, and connectivity providers, the challenge is no longer simply building more capacity—it's finding smarter ways to coordinate energy and network infrastructure while remaining flexible enough to respond to a demand curve that continues to change.