Light Reading Podcasts
Light Reading
This feed is Light Reading's main podcast feed for "The Light Reading Podcast," "The Divide," "The Light Reading Extra," and "What's the Story?"Light Reading provides daily news, analysis and insight for the global communications networking and services industry. The publication was founded in 2000 and, since July 2016, has been a part of Informa Tech, a division of Informa PLC. We're part of a big team providing specialist research, media, events and training for businesses and professionals working in technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 18, 2026 • 39min
The Divide: Carol Mattey on BEAD hope and hysteria, and stalled USF reform
This week: Former FCC official Carol Mattey joins the podcast to discuss the outcome of states' revised BEAD plans and what's next, as well as why she's not optimistic the Universal Service Fund will be reformed anytime soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 10, 2026 • 29min
Cable shows signs of improvement, but is it out of the woods?
Vikash Harlalka, Director at New Street Research and lead analyst on cable and broadband, walks through recent cable financials and industry trends. He covers Q4 broadband shifts, the role of fixed wireless, pricing and packaging moves, customer perception and NPS gaps, and the limits of large-scale fiber and wireless rollouts. Short-term improvement, long-term challenges remain.
Mar 4, 2026 • 35min
The Divide: IEEE's David Witkowski on broadband progress and the AI impact
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.
Mar 3, 2026 • 28min
From Risk to Opportunity: How Network Operators Can Leverage Resilient Positioning, Navigation & Timing
Miriam Sorond, CEO and inventor leading NextNav’s terrestrial 3D PNT work, talks resilient timing and location. She outlines why GPS is a single point of risk and why operators should build a terrestrial timing backup. She explores 3D positioning’s value for vertical location, public safety and new network services, plus timing needs for future 6G and AI-native networks.
Feb 25, 2026 • 37min
Is cable approaching a tipping point on PON?
Jay Rolls, CTO of BSP and longtime cable engineering executive, discusses cable operators shifting toward fiber. He covers brownfield vs greenfield decisions, cost comparisons between DOCSIS upgrades and FTTP, fiber’s long-lived outside plant, operational tradeoffs of staying on HFC, and the CFO–CTO dynamics that shape migration choices.
Feb 3, 2026 • 28min
The Divide: Shirley Bloomfield on rural broadband progress, BEAD's 'bargain' and USF
Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA and long-time rural connectivity advocate, reflects on her career and urgency to finish key priorities. She talks about rising fiber-to-home deployment, challenges like supply-chain and storm resilience, BEAD rule changes and the controversial 'bargain' approach, why some providers walk away from awards, and the importance of preserving the Universal Service Fund.
Jan 28, 2026 • 39min
AT&T's copper shutdown project takes 'wireless-first' approach
Susan Johnson, Senior Executive VP of Transformation and Global Supply Chain at AT&T, leads the company’s copper shutdown and logistics efforts. She discusses the wireless-first vs fiber-first scaling strategy, customer migration pathways like AT&T Phone Advanced and Internet Air, regulatory and 911 transition challenges, and sustainability benefits from reclaiming copper.
Jan 21, 2026 • 24min
FWA packs on more marketing muscle
Jeff Moore, an analyst at Wave7 Research who studies wireless and fixed wireless access, discusses how many brands and retailers are selling home internet. He covers T‑Mobile’s retail and bundle strategies, AT&T’s fiber-first stance and Internet Air moves, carrier-owned MVNOs entering home internet, Starlink’s retail push, and cable operators’ competitive responses.
Jan 15, 2026 • 30min
The Divide: What's up with BEAD non-deployment funds?
This week: Missouri State Rep. Louis Riggs and Benton's Drew Garner join the podcast to discuss the state of the BEAD program and their push to get the NTIA to 'follow the law' and release full funding to the states. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2025 • 39min
Ookla's Mike Dano on spectrum sagas and WBD dramas
Join Mike Dano, lead industry analyst at Ookla and former mobile expert, as he dives into the fascinating world of mobile networks and spectrum dynamics. He discusses the impact of mid-band spectrum on U.S. infrastructure compared to Canada, and why the EchoStar-SpaceX deal is a game changer. Mike also considers Starlink's potential entry into mobile services and the implications for terrestrial strategies. Additionally, he analyzes the intense bidding between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. assets and its potential effects on the film industry.
