Light Reading Podcasts The Divide: IEEE's David Witkowski on broadband progress and the AI impact
Mar 4, 2026
David Witkowski, IEEE senior member leading Future Networks work, speaks about broadband deployment, standards, and wireless tech. He covers BEAD and how fiber, fixed wireless and satellite are converging to close access gaps. He discusses AI's effects on network traffic and the challenges of permitting, power and resilience for real-world connectivity projects.
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Broadband Progress Is Real But Uneven
- Broadband progress is real but uneven, driven by programs like BEAD and state broadband offices created after the pandemic.
- Fixed wireless and satellite are now viable complements to fiber for remote or hard-to-reach areas, changing deployment strategies.
Satellite Is Practical For Truly Remote Communities
- Satellite capacity and throughput have improved, making it practical for isolated communities that will never get fiber.
- Latency limits remain and scalability of new constellations is uncertain, so timing and ramp matters for communities awarded BEAD funding.
Communities Prefer Satellite Over Waiting Forever
- David recounts community tradeoffs where satellite may be preferable to waiting for fiber that may never arrive.
- He notes some communities would rather have satellite sooner than indefinite fiber promises.