Tackling transitions: From being bought by another company to handling BEAD under a new administration

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Connected America conference, where we dive into the latest in broadband innovation and policy. 

First, we hear from Belden Precision Optical Technologies, a company that was recently acquired by Belden, about how this shift is driving new opportunities in fiber connectivity. Then, we sit down with Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer of the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI), to discuss how Michigan is navigating BEAD funding and broadband expansion in a time of transition. 

Don't miss these key insights into the future of connectivity!

Recommended Links:

Howard Trinh LinkedIn

Anna Depoian LinkedIn

Belden/Precision Wesbite

Takeover story

Eric Frederick LinkedIn

MIHI Website

Chapters

• 0:00 Opening & conference coverage
• 0:56 Belden Precision Optical Technologies & industry growth
• 3:19 Advancing fiber technology & network speeds
• 8:32 Michigan's broadband strategy & BEAD strategy
• 13:47 The importance of state broadband planning
• 18:00 Conclusion + Outro

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:07):

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the conference called Connected America. I talk with one company that's been bought out by a bigger one about what that means for innovation within their broadband space. Plus I talked to the head of Michigan State broadband office called My High about how they are navigating bead in a time of transition. I'm Jessica Denson and this is Connected Nation. I am standing at Belden Precision Optical Technologies, which we're gonna have Anna, who's with us. Explain that in just a moment. But the reason I'm here is because Jersey Mikes, uh, they're giving out sandwiches and there is a line. People are excited. I was one of those people in the line and I was like, what do you guys do? Talk to me about it. So Anna Depo and Howard Rin. Jessica Denson (00:56):

Yes. Jessica Denson (00:56):

Right. Um, have joined us and I'm gonna, first off, I would love to hear what each of you do, what your role is with the company. Howard Trinh (01:03):

Go Jessica Denson (01:03):

Ahead, Howard. Howard Trinh (01:03):

Yeah, I'm the director of engineering, so my role is, um, support, um, the post-sale, pre-sale, anything with a technical support for the sale team. So we do a lot of customer facing support and we do a, I think relate to, uh, fiber, um, you know, connectivity. So do a transceiver, passive, you know, everything relate to the fiber. We have a product can cover from one gig, um, or to eight to 800 gigs. Anna Depoian (01:31):

And Amma your role. I'm the events and experiences specialist at Legacy Precision originally, but now we just got acquired this recent year by Belden. So we are the broadband sector now of Belden as our parent company. So here today we have Precision, we have Legacy PPC, and we cover all things fiber. So whether it's from the street to the home, and then in the home, we take care of all of it. And kind of what we decided to do today was this event. We saw a need for some food and who doesn't love food to bring people together Jessica Denson (01:57):

That will bring people together. Let me tell you, you're gonna feed us. We're there. Um, okay. Howard, talk a little bit more on the technical side. We do have a technical audience that does understand broadband. Um, we're in season six and we have been talking techno technical <laugh> way beyond my brain. So share exactly what Precision does with its products. Maybe pick one of your premier products. Howard Trinh (02:21):

Right. So when Premier product is, we do any, a lot of specialized transceiver, right? So a lot of Transceiver Ally, we premier product for us is tbo. So we do TBO from one gig on the way to 400 gig right now. So one gig, 10 gig, 25 gig tbo, a hundred gig tbo, which is the latest, uh, product we just release that can help a customer to operate their bandwidth. Anybody that doing the DWDM infrastructure and looking to expand the data, uh, the network, um, the data array from 10 gig to a hundred gig, we have that available right now, the full C-band tuna 80 channel 50 gigahertz spacing, and we are excited new. We, uh, recently just tested 800 gig tuna, uh, Zia. So that, that's exciting new, looking forward to, to bring that to the market hopefully, uh, sometime later this year. So Jessica Denson (03:18):

That's, you're usually work it's business to business, it's not necessarily the average customer, right? So explain the difference between what's coming and, and speed wise. Is there a way you can give you an analogy for that? Um, Howard Trinh (03:30):

So yeah, actually we work directly, you know, provide a product to a service provider, not direct to the consumer residential, but the, the, the cus uh, the customer will demand more bandwidth and then that will, uh, force or push the data, the service provider, operate the network and allow that, um, the data rate keep going up and that monitor rate that we have, support that in the back end. So that indirectly that support our, you know, consumer and residential, uh, maintain their wifi, their streaming, their network, um, you know, connectivity to the internet. Jessica Denson (04:08):

So Howard knows all the technical stuff and I also am a commun, I'm a communications director for Connected Nation, so I have to often turn technical things into simple things. So how would you describe what Howard's talking about? Ooh, Anna Depoian (04:22):

<laugh>. Great question. Um, from marketing standpoint, how I always like to describe our company is we're the full end-to-end solution for anyone who's looking for specifically business to business, who's looking for an easier, potentially more cost effective way to get fiber in their home. So we work with MSOs Telcos, we do, um, what were you just telling me about yesterday? Uh, we work with the, Howard Trinh (04:43):

Uh, mso multi multi-service like cable company to so-called cable company. So our product would cover ownership provider from, you know, from a, a server provider, also with enterprise customer as well. And also with, you know, multiple, um, government healthcare education and that vertical that anything that have fiber in their, in their network and that we will have, we could cover on the product in that. Jessica Denson (05:07):

So being purchased or acquired by a larger company, does that open up the world for you guys or, Anna Depoian (05:13):

It really has, since being added into the Bellin like product set, we, we still have our niche of, we're broadband, but working with Belden has opened us up to a new customer base and also just their endless resources. We came from a starter up company, so we were owned very small, it was like 25 employees to start with and grew. So now being part of a larger like Fortune 500 company, I think belden's Fortune 500, it's given us a lot more opportunity with a larger client site. And also people know the name belden. Not a lot of people knew the name Precision or PPC. So it has opened a lot of doors for us and we're in the transition period of still everyone learning like, hey, that we've joined in. But I think doing events like this and having a presence of being able to have people come and be like, Hey, you guys joined in and now you're together. What's that look like now? Jessica Denson (05:57):

So, and what about from the engineering side? Does that open up a whole world where you can innovate? Howard Trinh (06:01):

Yeah, it's a lot of iteration technology between what belt and do, uh, and provide with, for example, like the data center and now we had a product actually can implement and everything in the data center from NUT in the ball and the rail rack, everything that, and basically Precision Transceiver basically to the complement and complete the portfolio for Den. So I think that, Jessica Denson (06:22):

So where are you guys based now? Is it all over the us? Is it Global York is Anna Depoian (06:27):

Rochester, New York is where Precision is based. We have a office where PPC is headquartered in Syracuse, New York. Where is Belden headquartered? Howard Trinh (06:34):

Belden headquartered in, in, uh, in St. Louis. In St. Louis. Okay. Yeah, Missouri. Jessica Denson (06:39):

So Howard, did you come from the Belden side or did you come from Howard Trinh (06:42):

From Precision, um, you know, OT side? Yes. Yes. Jessica Denson (06:45):

So is it kind of exciting? Yeah, it, Howard Trinh (06:47):

It, good open opportunity and then see, you know, enter, you know, interact with our PA on the Belden and talking about technology, what we can support a customer for. Like just say now we can provide a full portfolio, which is got exciting for me doing that. Jessica Denson (07:01):

So, um, if, if someone wants to find out about your organization, uh, I mean we'll put, we'll put a, uh, link to the company. Is it under Belden or is it under Precision still? And Anna Depoian (07:10):

Then belden belden.com. And then we've got the sub-brands all on Belden. So it'll show on the page like these are our sub-brands and then you can go into each one and find our different product sets. Jessica Denson (07:20):

So the most important question, are you guys feeding us tomorrow too? Or is this just a one day deal? So Anna Depoian (07:26):

One day exclusive today. So we've done this for three years now. This is our third year at the event. And the first year and the second year, first year we did just day two. Last year we did both days. So today we are kind of ab testing in a way. We were seeing what would be the most pull. We kind of figured it was a little more exclusive to do at day one. Jessica Denson (07:42):

Oh, that's good. Exclusivity. Did you do this last year? Yeah. That's awesome. And, uh, just for the record, uh, Anna put Howard to work. He was having to pull out water before we could start the interview. The people were lining up, you got anything to drink, they weren't happy with just food. So, uh, thank you both so much. Uh, last question. What, what do you hope that people take away from, um, our conversation? What they remember about Belden Our Precision now under Belden? Howard Trinh (08:07):

Well, I think he just remembered, um, you know, for the brand of, actually we are one stop solution for everything in the fiber beneath connectivity. That's one thing. I hope that they, they can remember us. All right. Anything Anna Depoian (08:19):

You'd like to add? We do great giveaways at our shows, so you should always stop by our booth because we're always coming up with something different that's gonna get you to come see us and talk to us. Jessica Denson (08:27):

Alright, thank you so much Howard and Anna. They appreciate Howard Trinh (08:31):

You. Thank you. Thank you Jessica. Anna Depoian (08:31):

Thank Jessica Denson (08:32):

You. I'm at the Connected America conference taking place in Irving, Texas, which is adjacent to Dallas. And I have run into one of my favorite people in this space, Eric Frederick, who's the Chief Connectivity Officer for the my high office, which stands for the Michigan High Speed Internet Office. I finally got it down, took me a few years, but I've got it down. How are you doing Eric? Eric Frederick (08:55):

Doing pretty good. Uh, it's exciting to be out and about again, to talk about this topic, Uhhuh <affirmative> and be with industry folks, digital inclusion practitioners. Um, it's always exciting to hear what other states are doing and you know, how we can make our program better. So, yeah. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. It's exciting time. Jessica Denson (09:09):

Yeah. Last time I talked to you, we were, you were doing the listening tour in Michigan's and how did that all go? Eric Frederick (09:15):

It was a lot of work. So the summer of, of 23, we embarked on a 43 stop listening tour. Jessica Denson (09:22):

It's pretty incredible. Eric Frederick (09:22):

Yeah. Um, from one corner of the state to the other, to listen to thousands of stakeholders mm-hmm <affirmative>. And what they wanted broadband in Michigan to look like, um, help create our five, be five year action plan, our digital equity plan and all, and everything in between. Um, and now we're implementing the bead program based on what we heard. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, you know, we took a, you know, listen first plan, second approach, uh, and that's what we wanted to do. So it, it was exciting to hear what everybody wanted in the state and then synthesize that all into a program. Jessica Denson (09:49):

Did you find that there were some similarities, but also some areas that had major differences? And, and if so, could you name one or two of those dif differences? Eric Frederick (09:58):

Yeah, I mean, there's, there's certainly geographies of the state that struggle with infrastructure more than others. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. There's some parts of the state that have had infrastructure solved for a while, but struggle with Jessica Denson (10:07):

Affordability. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (10:08):

Um, but even when infrastructure isn't there, we know it's going to be there eventually those areas are gonna struggle with affordability. So the issues, while they do get nuanced from one region to another, they are fairly universal. Jessica Denson (10:21):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (10:21):

You know, low income in rural Michigan is the same as low income and urban Michigan. And so we want to try and make sure that we're lifting everybody up when we talk about, you know, creating a more digitally equitable state. Mm-hmm Jessica Denson (10:31):

<affirmative>. Uh, when we were chatting right before we started the interview, I was asking you, or at least making the statement that I think in my opinion, let's just say that Michigan's probably gonna be one of the most connected states, the soonest. And you were like, well, others are doing some things differently. Uh, why are you, you're kind of taking a slower pace compared to like your Louisiana Sure. Or some other states like that. Eric Frederick (10:53):

Yeah. And, and again, not that these other states aren't doing this, but we want to be very deliberate and thoughtful and comprehensive in how we approach not only bead, but the capital projects fund dollars and the digital equity dollars because we only get one shot at this Jessica Denson (11:07):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (11:08):

Um, we've been planning and planning and planning and planning for broadband for so long that we finally have the opportunity here that we need to make sure we're taking full advantage of it. Um, you know, we, we paused launching our subgrantee selection by three months because we knew that the fccs r doff program, there were gonna be places that defaulted and we wanted to make sure we could include them in our bead program. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So we paused for three months while that default process worked its way through. And again, to be thorough and make sure we're, we are capturing everyone. So now Michigan has 248,253 bead eligible locations in the state, and we have the third highest count of all states and territories. And so while that's a big number, that's a big job to do. Jessica Denson (11:48):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (11:48):

We feel we are very thorough in making sure we captured all of them so that we can truly make sure that the beads, beads objective of universal availability is fulfilled. Jessica Denson (11:56):

So it's one of those things you really can't, you don't wanna put the cart before the horse. You really would need to know what it looks like Eric Frederick (12:02):

Right Jessica Denson (12:02):

Before you start to, to lay that, to lay the infrastructure or do the planning. Okay. Um, so one of the things is, so you mentioned bead and one of the things that we talked about as well is that you don't the, with the new administration yes. Things change, but you, you don't want it to be mandated. Right. You want some options. Explain what you mean by that. Eric Frederick (12:21):

That's right. I mean, because BEAD is implemented by the states and territories, right? It is. It is a state based program Jessica Denson (12:27):

Mm-hmm Eric Frederick (12:28):

<affirmative>. Um, and the biggest criticism so far has been been that bead has been slow. I totally understand that. It takes time and Congress gave states, states a 14 step process mm-hmm <affirmative>. To implement bead to make sure that we were being thorough, um, and comprehensive in the way this was designed because they also saw that we only get this chance once Jessica Denson (12:46):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, Eric Frederick (12:47):

And so at this moment though, every state and territory is in the thick of it. They are in the driver's seat of doing subgrantee selection and finalizing the maps and all of that. Uh, just in Michigan, we we're only a month out from our first round project application window closing Jessica Denson (13:01):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (13:01):

And so every state is moving as fast as they possibly can now. And to go backwards would be absolutely detrimental for the program. Um, you know, a lot of states in Michigan included, there are some things we struggled with when trying to implement the program that NTA wouldn't let us do. Jessica Denson (13:16):

Mm-hmm Eric Frederick (13:17):

<affirmative>. Um, and in, in that message, you know, if there's changes the administration wants to make, that's great, but give them to the states has options who need to enact those options to make their programs fit their states. Jessica Denson (13:27):

Mm-hmm Eric Frederick (13:28):

<affirmative>. Um, in Michigan, we've, we've developed a plan that fits our state and we want to, you know, march that plan forward. Um, if there's places that we can take advantage of some new options that come down, great. We'll make the program that much easier for everybody who participates Jessica Denson (13:39):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (13:40):

Um, but any mandates to the program and big sweeping changes are only gonna delay things longer. And we can't go backwards on bead. Jessica Denson (13:47):

They could even potentially make it where we don't get there. Right. If, if, yeah. If you do that, if you mandate everything. 'cause just like you said, Michigan has different needs, different parts, same thing with the United States. Is there an argument to be made that the state leaders really know what their state needs? Eric Frederick (14:06):

I, I, I think absolutely. A lot of these state offices and state directors and their staffs have been at this for a long time. Jessica Denson (14:11):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (14:11):

Like I said, we've been planning and planning and planning. Some states have had, you know, really great, they're their own state grant programs for a long time. Others haven't. Uh, in Michigan, our office is relatively new. We were, uh, you know, staffed up in 2022 mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, in response to this program. Um, so every, every state's in a little bit different place. But the one thing that is common among all of them is that we do know our states. We went out and did listening tours mm-hmm <affirmative>. We went out and meet with stakeholders. We know what our state needs. Um, and we listen to those that, that are telling us that. And so in trusting the states to implement this program, I think is really, really key. And again, providing us more options to implement our program, I think will only make the program stronger. Jessica Denson (14:49):

Um, do the state program, I know that the different states have, they all have state broadband offices? They're called different things like yours is my high. Um, some may just be the Kentucky State Broadband Office or whatever it may be. Uh, are the state leaders, are y'all talking to each other? Eric Frederick (15:05):

We do. So we, we talk quite a bit. There's a number of us here at the conference, which is always great to run into familiar faces. Um, but yeah, we gather, uh, every year with the state broadband leaders network, um, and simply get together to share best practices. What are you doing about X, what are you doing about y mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, and, and seeing how different states are implementing different pieces of this really helps us craft our own programs. So we all kind of collectively lift these ships together, um, as we collaborate. Um, so that's, that's probably one of the most useful parts of all of this work is that all the states are collaborating on the same program but doing it in a little bit different way because they know their states best. Jessica Denson (15:39):

Um, I've had, I've heard from several people that you know that it is a transitionary time, it is a time of transition, uh, with new administrations. Um, but that there's something to be said for the face-to-face during that kind of thing. Is it easier to connect and understand each other when we're in the room together? Eric Frederick (15:57):

It is. It, it absolutely is. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, as much as we espouse the virtue of teleworking and teleconferencing and, you know, and seeing each other in our little black squares on Zoom mm-hmm <affirmative>. There is something to be said to getting together. Um, and just simply happy hashing something out in person across from the table from each other. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, yeah, there, there's definitely value in that. And that's why coming to this and, and other similar events are, are so helpful. Jessica Denson (16:18):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (16:18):

Is because I can collaborate and hear new things and listen to best practices here and there mm-hmm Jessica Denson (16:22):

<affirmative>. Eric Frederick (16:22):

Um, and really take all that home. Jessica Denson (16:25):

And you were on a panel earlier. What was, what was the panel and what can you give us kind of an overview of the discussion? Eric Frederick (16:30):

Yeah, so it was a pretty broad topic. It was, you know, solving essentially how do we solve the digital divide in the us I mean, just, just a light topic. Jessica Denson (16:36):

Yeah. <laugh>. Eric Frederick (16:37):

Um, and I think the, the point of the panel was to really show that infrastructure is needed. Like bead obviously gets all of the attention because we're building tens of thousands of miles of fiber and that's great. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. We, we need to do that. But we can't forget about the digital inclusion side of it. Infrastructure's only part of the digital divide. Jessica Denson (16:54):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (16:55):

Once that infrastructure is there, we need to make sure folks can afford it. They know how to use it. They have a device to connect to it. They have the support for those devices and those skills to make sure that they can leverage that technology to improve their quality of life. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. That's our mission at the Maha office, is a more digitally equitable state because our work isn't about the technology, it's about the people. And we always have to remember that just because we put the wires in the ground doesn't mean that folks come to, you know, that build it. And they will come again, works for, uh, ghosts and baseball fields in Iowa, but it doesn't work for broadband. Jessica Denson (17:26):

Uhhuh <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (17:27):

And so we have to make sure we're addressing both the supply and the demand of broadband so that these networks can be, you know, sustained and maintained over time, but also making sure that the Michiganders and businesses and institutions can leverage that technology to improve their quality of life. And that's what this is all about. Jessica Denson (17:42):

I think it's interesting that you said that. 'cause there's a panel going on in this room called Build It a Come adoption. How do we deal with adoption, the idea of bringing to it? So, uh, it's, it's no secret to me and maybe to our audience, but you used to work for Connect Nation. That's right. And now you lead this, the state office at, in Michigan. So how has that changed your approach to this problem? Or is it it all leads to the same thing? Eric Frederick (18:06):

So I, I think I've always wanted to work in, in the non-profit or public space Jessica Denson (18:11):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (18:11):

And I think that's what Connected Nation helped me do was be very mission-driven. Right. And so when I started the, my high office in Michigan, I took that same mentality of being mission-driven to our office. Yes, we have directives in policy that we're implementing in laws that we have to enact, but we, at our core, we are mission driven in our office. And I think that's a little unique among state offices. Jessica Denson (18:31):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (18:32):

Uh, as I work with other state agencies now being on, on that public sector side. But I think that's what helped me stand up the office so quickly and efficiently is that we, we start with this mission. If we can rally around this one mission, it helps bring everybody to the table. Um, and I think that's probably probably the, the most valuable thing that I could bring from Connected Nation was that mission, that mission focus in all the work that we do. Jessica Denson (18:53):

I've had the pleasure of speaking to your lieutenant governor, uh, governor Gilcrest, a couple, Lieutenant Governor Gilcrest a couple of times, and he's very tech Yes. Driven, he understands technology. He has a background in technology. Uh, does that help that you have an administration, a state administration that understands tech? Eric Frederick (19:10):

It does, because, you know, a, a lot of the, a lot of the concepts of digital inclusion and equity are challenging to explain very quickly. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. It's, it's not just an elevator pitch to, to sell somebody on digital equity inclusion. It takes time. I don't have to do that. He understands it. He gets, uh, the concept. He understands it. He's worked in that space. And so he brings that energy and knowledge to our program. Jessica Denson (19:33):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Eric Frederick (19:33):

And that is unbelievably helpful. Um, yeah, he chairs the, uh, intergovernmental affairs, uh, committee or advisory committee at the FCC. Um, and, and so through that work, he's able to help bring that knowledge and expertise there and advocate for Michigan as well. And so having him with that background is, is unparalleled. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, has really helped our program. Jessica Denson (19:52):

Yeah. And he's a Detroiter, right? Yes. Eric Frederick (19:53):

He's a Detroiter, Jessica Denson (19:54):

Which makes a big deal. There's a, a TV show called Detroiters that makes me laugh. <laugh>. Um, well, Eric, it's always a pleasure. Did you get one of the free sandwiches that, uh, I Belden was Eric Frederick (20:06):

Offering? I, there's some really great swag including sandwiches at this conference, Jessica Denson (20:09):

So, yeah. Yeah. It's pretty good. Yeah. Yeah. Well, thank you so much, Eric Frederick with the my High office. I really appreciate your time, and I always love seeing Eric Frederick (20:16):

You. Yeah. Thanks. Appreciate it. Jessica Denson (20:17):

Uhhuh. On the next episode of Connected Nation, we'll continue our coverage from a Connected America. Until then, I'm Jessica Denson.