Broadband leaders gather in Houston just weeks after BEAD's new rules are released

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with a representative from the Broadband Communities Summit about the topics and speakers attendees can expect in Houston, Texas — and why now is a critical time to come together.

Find out what Brad Randall has to say about the new BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) rules—and how Total Telecom is involved in the Broadband Communities Summit.

Recommended Links: 

• Broadband Communities Summit 2025
• Total Telecom website 
• Brad Randall Linkedin
  
  

Transcript

Copy Transcript Copied

Jessica Denson, Connected Nation (00:07):
This is Connected Nation, an award-winning podcast focused on all things broadband from closing the digital divide to improving your internet speeds. We talk technology topics that impact all of us, our families, and our neighborhoods. After months of waiting, the NTIA released the new Rules for Bead, also called the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program. This guidance comes just a few weeks before broadband leaders across the country come together for the Broadband Community Summit. On today's podcast, we'll talk with a representative from the summit about what topics and speakers, attendees can expect, and why this is a critical time to come together. I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation. I'm Jessica Denson, and today my guest is Brad Randall, who is the editor for Total Telecom, the company organizing this year's Broadband Community Summit, taking place in Houston, Texas, June 23rd through the 25th. Welcome, Brad. 

Brad Randall, Total Telecom (01:07):
Hi, Jessica. It's a pleasure to be here again. 

Jessica Denson, Connected Nation (01:10):
Yeah. I, and you say again, it's, and behind the scenes, you actually were with us yesterday, but we had so many technical problems. <laugh>, have you come back again. So, thank you for being so gracious and joining us, uh, two days in a row, and today we finally get to talk. Um, we've talked to you before, um, but give our audience a quick review of your background and how you ended up at Total Telecom. 

Brad Randall, Total Telecom (01:32):
Sure. I mean, I've been covering the rollout of the infrastructure bill since 2021. Uh, that's the investment in Jobs Act and previously did it for, uh, world of Concrete at Informa, where I covered kind of the hard infrastructure, uh, ended up at Total Telecom. And it's really a natural fit. I'm kind of a, a tech nerd myself, <laugh> <laugh>. Um, so covering the rollout of broadband spending across the country, or, you know, maybe a lack thereof now, uh, has been eye-opening and fascinating. I mean, I love having a job where I wake up every day and I feel passionate about it. And, and that's, I'm lucky enough to have that. I felt truly blessed, but, you know, journalists by trade and, uh, went to the B2B writing, uh, <laugh> a few years ago and haven't looked back. 

Jessica Denson, Connected Nation (02:22):
Yeah, and you do, you do a great job. You, you have a really strong audience with Total Telecom. Um, the Broadband Community Summit isn't the only conference that you guys handle. Talk about what you do at, at a larger level, um, with the company and kind of what the, the mission or purpose is. 

Brad Randall, Total Telecom (02:39):
Sure. I mean, uh, total Telecom is the umbrella that we're all under. Uh, and I say all of us because there's a number of events we run Connected Britain, uh, that's in September, connected Germany Submarine Networks world. That's in Singapore, uh, telecom's world, Asia, that's in Bangkok. Uh, we run Connected World. That's gonna be in Riyadh World of Communications Awards. We do those every year. And, uh, connected north in Man Manchester, which is focused on the northern part of the uk, which, uh, I guess, you know, here we have a rural urban divide. And in the UK it's not that different, but it's more geographical north south. And if you go over there, there's a lot of argument about where the North starts <laugh>. So we, we, we run a lot of events, uh, focused on telecommunications and it's global, and we also cover the industry. Um, submarine networks is certainly an interesting one where we talk about cables under the sea and how to protect them. So, you know, total Telecom is all encompassing Broadband Community Summit. We focus on communities, uh, communities here in the United States. And it's, and when it comes to communities, we're all encompassing. We don't define, you know, what a community is so much as how to connect them. 

Jessica Denson (03:56):
Uh, I'm fascinated by the submarine cable thing 'cause I can't imagine how difficult and, uh, how much engineering and an ingenuity and, uh, just sheer willpower it must take to put, to bury something under the ocean <laugh>. It just, it blows my mind. It's so fascinating. And you have a whole, or a whole conference dedicated to it, you said in Japan? 

Brad Randall (04:21):
Uh, well, this year it's gonna be in Singapore. 

Jessica Denson (04:24):
Oh, Singapore, I'm sorry. 

Brad Randall (04:26):
Sure. And, and, uh, Singapore is pretty reliant on submarine cable networks, I'd imagine as an island. Yeah. Uh, so, you know, uh, UK where, uh, Terrapin is based and our home base also very reliant on submarine networks. They, they certainly play into it geopolitical, uh, story in Europe. You hear about those things getting cuts sometimes, uh, allegedly by a cargo ship dragon, an anchor or something like that. Oh, wow. Um, and it, it is, it is a fascinating topic. Um, the Houthis rebels have also been accused of cutting <laugh> by optic cables. So, uh, it, it is, it is a vulnerable part of our infrastructure, but certainly an important one. So it's very worth talking about. 

Jessica Denson (05:13):
Yeah. And just for the understanding of our audience, there are places across the u us along the coast where we accept some of those in the submarine landing stations, right? Yes. All around the us mm-hmm <affirmative>. Uh, fascinating. I, I think it's really cool. Do you get to go? 

Brad Randall (05:27):
Well, you know what, before we move on, Jessica, uh, I can give you a little, a little background story. My family used to own land on Duxbury Beach in Massachusetts. And that land, uh, was, it was the first landing point for a submarine cable that came across, uh, the Atlantic Ocean. Wow. Now, I'm not sure if it was the first, or if it was one of the first, uh, but long story short, my father has the ending of that cable in his garage. I mean, it's very old, and he dug it up on the beach, but it's there. And, uh, it's kind of full circle with where I'm now <laugh>. 

Jessica Denson (06:01):
Oh, that's pretty cool. <laugh> <laugh>. Are they massive cables or are they just, uh, 

Brad Randall (06:05):
They're, I mean, now they're very big. Yeah. Uh, but back then it was just kind of like a beefed up phone 

Jessica Denson (06:11):
Wire. Oh, wow. That's interesting. He has it, his garage. That's

Brad Randall (06:15):
Awesome. He has it, it's highly corroded and probably toxic, but <laugh> <laugh>, he, he drags it out as a, uh, a cocktail party piece to tell people what it, what it is, and it always draws some attention. Oh, 

Jessica Denson (06:27):
It sounds like it's in your blood then. You, you've never mentioned that before?

Brad Randall (06:30):
No, I haven't. It just kind of came to mind. It's, it's, he has this garage filled with random stuff, so I'll try to block it out. <laugh> 

Jessica Denson (06:39):
<laugh> at Duxbury Beach. I love the name. Did you guys name that as a since you, or is that like the local town's name? 

Brad Randall (06:46):
That's the town. Uh, and if you're from the area, no one really knows how Duxbury got its name. Um, but yeah, there's Duxbury Woods in the uk, so, 

Jessica Denson (06:57):
Oh, it's 

Brad Randall (06:58):
Probably not too far of a stretch to think the name probably came from that, 

Jessica Denson (07:01):
Probably. That's great. We'll have to have your father on sometime. Is he, is he around with this book? <laugh>? 

Brad Randall (07:08):
I guarantee he'd be more interesting guests. <laugh> <laugh>, but maybe not in the way you're looking for <laugh>. 

Jessica Denson (07:15):
Uh, you dunno. It might be interesting. Um, okay, so well, let's get back on track. <laugh>. Yeah. In, in March, uh, the Trump administration paused all beat activity while the Department of Commerce reassessed how it was being implemented. I mentioned this in our lead into the, to the podcast today. The new rules came out at this, at this, uh, recording just one week ago on June 6th. Um, what are you hearing from broadband leaders about the restructuring of the policy at this point? I know it's very soon, but they've got a tight time, uh, tight timeline of 90 days. So what are you hearing early on? 

Brad Randall (07:50):
Well, uh, yeah, it, it's certainly a big story and just some of Evan Feynman's takeaways that I noticed, uh, posted about this. And I, I certainly pay attention to what he says as the former bead director. And it's hard to get people in there right now to talk, uh 

Jessica Denson (08:07):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Yeah. 

Brad Randall (08:08):
So says the, the, the guidance doesn't respect the prior progress made by states. I mean, I've had a look myself. Uh, it rescinds all non deployment awards, uh, requires the least cost will probably hurt fiber that way. Um, and what I mean is that it requires that you go with the lowest bid, you know, low earth orbit satellite and fixed wireless can probably underbid fiber in a lot of places. So it's gonna have a big impact on awards that have already been given. Uh, he predicts the challenge process for unlicensed fixed wireless will be a mess. Uh, and this, this is his prediction, not mine mm-hmm <affirmative>. But he's gonna be at Broadband Community Summit, and there's gonna be a new sub-grantee selection round a taxpayer expense. Now in business, you always try to find the silver, silver lining of this, uh mm-hmm <affirmative>. And there will be several if you're in fiber, there are less, uh, it's, it's a hit. Um, so it, it's gonna depend on geography, uh, what works where, and how fiber can adjust in terms of lowering the price attached, you know, to their projects. Um, but it is gonna have a monumental impact for sure. 

Jessica Denson (09:26):
And, you know, I know there's a little bit of politics attached to it. Of course, you know, the, the new administration ever likes the old administration no matter what side you're on, <laugh>. Uh, so they talked about in the, in the 23 page documents they dropped about that they're already even, they haven't even put shovels in the ground on the infrastructure. That's been all planning so far. Is that a fair assessment? Uh, do you think that we need to, that this might move things forward much quicker because they're pushing these timelines quicker? Or, uh, is there a sense that you think, um, that might allow for too many mistakes and it's probably gonna roll back? Any, any idea? I know I'm asking you to look in your crystal ball here, <laugh>. Well, you know, they, 

Brad Randall (10:04):
They said that, well, they said that a few weeks before shovels were about to go into the ground. So <laugh>, <laugh>, uh, uh, I mean, I don't think it's a fair assessment. It was bead was, it was bureaucratic, but by design mm-hmm 

Jessica Denson (10:18):
<affirmative>. 

Brad Randall (10:18):
And to give states control of their own destiny. So I think what this really does is it passes the buck on building a resilient infrastructure that can last generations. That was truly the intent of bead. Um, and, you know, if we focus on cost first, that is not usually the way to build a resilient infrastructure. Um, you know, going with the cheapest fix doesn't necessarily build something that will last generations. So when it comes to building for the future, future proofing our networks, getting ready for the rollout of ai, um, we still will have a lot of work to do. So in my mind, uh, this kind of kicks the can down the road mm-hmm <affirmative>. And I think an unwritten goal is as much as possible, of that $42.45 billion will remain unspent. Um, you know, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they actually do care about internet for all.

 
(11:18)
Um, but we just have definit different definitions of what's acceptable when it comes to internet for all. Uh, is it gonna be your spotty, uh, fixed wireless connection out in the woods, out in rural towns, or are they gonna get fiber? Well, it looks like they're probably not going to get fiber. And so the economic benefits that come with those types of development projects, uh, they won't come to a lot of rural areas. So I think that that's why a lot of people are scratching their heads today because Yeah. Uh, we had taken a long time to get to where we were, but a lot of work had also been done. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. A lot of people in the private industry had positioned themselves. Uh, and you know, I've written about how this has already caused layoffs in Louisiana. So unfortunately, uh, there were three states that are really affected by this. And that's, uh, Nevada, Louisiana, and Delaware, the others, uh, it will be harder to see an impact, but those who actually know what's going on, uh, know what they're losing. 

Jessica Denson (12:20):
Right. And the idea that if it's not future proof coming back 10 years down the road, how do you really even make a case for, oh, we need to expand even further. We need to do more. Um, 

Brad Randall (12:31):
Yeah, it will cost, it costs us longer, uh, cost us more in the long run. Right. Because then, then you're gonna have to double dip. Um, and, you know, we've already been down this road, so Yeah, you're absolutely right. It's gonna be harder to make the justification for spending that money. 

Jessica Denson (12:46):
Yeah. I have a feeling when, uh, the Broadband Community Summit, which is just a, a, what, a two weeks, not even two weeks away, um, on June 23rd through the 25th in Houston, Texas. Um, I, I imagine a lot of people are gonna be talking about this if, and within networking, if not on panels, what's some of the other focus of this year? I know, um, bead of course, is always a headline, but, or at least has been for the last couple of years. But what, what else is are you focusing on? 

Brad Randall (13:16):
Well, this year we're focused on, uh, kind of the big picture of delivering high speed broadband to communities. So business models and funding, uh, objectives and operations, community development and digital equity and literacy. Uh, those, those are still main focuses of ours. They, they don't go away based on, you know, who's in office. I mean, this has been a, a, a goal of the industry for a long time to focus on digital literacy and equity. And you, you build internet for people and you wanna make sure they're safe too. Uh, so this is about protecting customers, protecting fellow Americans. Uh, we also explore the technical, operational, legal and commercial challenges for the multifamily sector. And multifamily is still described as one of the great untapped markets that is out there. Uh, so we put a lot of emphasis on technology solutions that can connect those communities.

 
(14:08)
Uh, retrofits have been historically very expensive and have scared off a lot of owners and operators when it comes to those aging MDU structures. But more and more, uh, there are cost effective solutions to deliver high quality internet to residents in those communities. Uh, so we talk a lot about that and the progress being made. We also spend time to talk about innovations, uh, that are coming down the pike. And it's a great place to talk about what to expect too. 'cause we're all seeing different things across the country. And so to get our heads together in a room, um, kind of gives you a full picture. 

Jessica Denson (14:46):
Yeah, I think so too. It gives you a better idea of how everything's working together or how it can, if not, and see places where it's not. Um, the MDU thing is, is very fascinating because, um, it's often, I wouldn't say overlooked. There are certain companies that are very focused on it, but it's not often talked about in a lot of these, this legislation and stuff. Why, why do you think that is? 

Brad Randall (15:11):
Well, it, it's not, but, uh, they have a very strong advocacy, um, lobby. And so I think the MDU communities are overlooked because, you know, there's stigmas attached with some of them. Uh, you know, it's lower income residents. Uh, but it's, it's not just that there's all types of MDU communities and more and more Americans are living in these types of communities, uh, and so is like California housing prices are off the charts. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. 

(15:43)

MDU are thriving. Uh, so I think that any, any sense that you've got that these communities have been ignored, um, they're not being ignored by private industry. I'll tell you that <laugh>, because there, there is certainly a gap there. Uh, and folks are racing to fill it, so it will get filled. Uh, it's a great market for folks to, to go in and, you know, bulk billing is still a thing. So you can go in and, and lock in a whole community to a certain provider. And then there's open access, uh, networks that are also making plays for these types of communities trying to offer choice. And it's really interesting, if you're an owner and operator, you have a, a whole array of choices before you in terms of which direction you could go. A lot of them lead to revenue sharing. Uh, so the margins are very thin for these communities sometimes. And providing connectivity for your residents can actually help you increase the property value, increase your rents, and help you stay alive so that you can pass that investment on to maybe, you know, the next generation or sell it someday. So it may, it may seem overlooked in the industry, but to those who are focused on mdu, it is a thriving sector of connectivity. 

Jessica Denson (17:04):
So talk about who this summit is meant for. It's not just broadband leaders, right? 

Brad Randall (17:09):
Uh, no, it's, it's for community leaders, property owners, network infrastructure builders, uh, telco service providers, investors, uh, regulators. Lenders are becoming more important. Analysts want to be there. Uh, and we also attract healthcare providers, adv advocacy groups, educators, uh, tribal leaders. And they're all critical stakeholders. Uh, right. That's why we offer free tickets to a lot of those folks. Uh, we offer a free ticket program to folks that work for electric co-ops for charities, uh, local market service providers, your tier threes, student housing providers or developers, assisted living facilities. So that's kind of a good example of when we say community isn't just a town, right? It, it can be a lot more than that. Look at the folks that we offer free tickets to, uh, assisted living, student housing. So all of these are different segments of the market that, uh, remain largely untapped. Uh, so if, you know, you're looking at the map and you're saying, gosh, everyone's over building, where can I even go? Uh, there's still a lot of opportunity out there, and we're good at kind of digging that 

Jessica Denson (18:26):
Out. Yeah. It really says, it speaks to the fact that broadband and, um, technology touches every fo faucet of our lives now. 

Brad Randall (18:34):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>. 

Jessica Denson (18:34):
There's not an area that you really, you can't look at and say, oh, that's free of digital connection. 

Brad Randall (18:40):
No, 

Jessica Denson (18:41):
No. Uh, are there any can't miss sessions or speakers that people should really mark their calendars for if they're, when they're attending? 

Brad Randall (18:48):
Well, there's a can't miss session for me. Um, and as a journalist, I'll be looking at updates from state broadband offices on progress and challenges. And this is gonna be a really interesting one. It's moderated by Evan Feynman. Uh, and he'll be joined by Greg Conte, the director of the Texas Broadband Development Office. Brian Mitchell will be there. He's the broadband office director for the state of Nevada Eden Roll. Uh, she's from the Oklahoma broadband office. And I think having Texas and Nevada on the same panel is gonna be an interesting dichotomy, right? Because they're both affected in very different ways by this, uh, this guidance revision. Nevada having their final proposal rescinded and Texas isn't at that stage. So we're gonna get an update on bead progress. And they're both gonna be at different parts of the journey, but faced with the same sort of mandate of reworking their proposals and getting across the finish line, and they don't have a ton of time to do it. So it's gonna be a fascinating moment to get an update from these guys on bead progress. Some surprise they have time to be there. 

Jessica Denson (20:00):
Yeah. That's, that, that will be an interesting panel. I agree with you. Um, you mentioned briefly that the fact that there will be, there's a lot, you're seeing a lot more private equity groups coming to the, to the conference or the summit this year. Yeah. Why is that, you think? And what's the importance of that? 

Brad Randall (20:18):
Well, it's because, uh, we are seeing a pullback in public money. And so with that, uh, providers who have positioned themselves to make a play for bead to make a play for some of these projects, uh, digital equity funding, things like that, they're feeling like they still have to get involved. Uh, you know, they're not just gonna go away. So, private equity has been a savior for many companies. For some companies it has been the only, uh, stream of investment. So private equity is, is a big part of the solution here, and it's connecting millions and millions of Americans giving at least access to them. So I think, uh, there's gonna be more emphasis on it going forward, as it looks like, put it this way, future minded communities, uh mm-hmm <affirmative>. Will still want fiber. Uh, and, you know, the fixed wireless access solution may not appeal to them if they've been talking about this issue for years. Uh, and so where's that money gonna come from? Uh, private equity is somewhere where, you know, you can reach into that pot and work out a public-private partnership. And we have folks there talking about how to do that, what works with public-private partnerships. Uh, and so it's gonna be very attractive for some community leaders, uh, business leaders, and also for investors. So there's a natural fit there, 

Jessica Denson (21:45):
And there's definitely something to be said for the fact that you get to decide how that's gonna happen. <laugh> Sure, yeah. As somebody at a higher level looking, looking at your organiza or your community from afar and telling you. So I can imagine there's some, uh, that, that, that's definitely an attraction of 

Brad Randall (22:01):
That. And if, and if, and if your community has already bought into this, Jessica. 

Jessica Denson (22:06):
Yeah. It's 

Brad Randall (22:06):
Hard, it's hard to go back <laugh>. 

Jessica Denson (22:08):
Yeah, that's for sure. You're, you're being told you're gonna get one thing for years and then something else entirely. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, you host a podcast called Beyond the Cable Interview, and you interview a lot of industry insiders and leaders, and I would encourage our audience to check it out if they haven't. Are there any topics or recent guests that you really have stuck with you or you find interesting right now? 

Brad Randall (22:29):
Well, I had a great discussion with Greg Wilson, the CEO of Ripple Fiber at Fiber Connect. Uh, ripple Fiber is a quickly growing company that has made lots of moves lately, and we kind of talk about their progress. By the way, that's a lot of private equity into ripple fiber. Uh, they're also, you know, going after grants and things like that. But Ripple Fiber has been one of the quickest movers in the industry, and they've made some high profile acquisitions been gobbling up smaller providers, increasing their debt capacity and building out across, uh, the Southeast. So it was a fascinating discussion with him. Another podcast I had from May, it's pretty interesting. We talked with Brandon Dinsmore, uh, and he talks about how tribal connectivity can lead to workforce development on tribal lands. And he's kind of on a mission to, uh, train and get folks on tribal communities interested in telecommunications work. And the idea there is that if they participate in these workforce programs, by the way, he's a workforce program specialist at Oklahoma State. Uh, but the idea there is if they can have their own labor forces involved in these projects, they can take some sort of ownership over maintaining them for years to come and kind of give themselves control over their own destiny. Uh, so I, the, a great podcast, go check it out@bbcmag.com. I'd appreciate it.

Jessica Denson (23:55):
Yeah, I'll, I'll add a link in the description of this podcast as well to make it pretty easy for people. Uh, as we look ahead to this second half of 2025 and into 20 20 26, any predictions or thoughts you, you, you see for the broadband industry? Anything, these things that you're excited about? 

Brad Randall (24:13):
You know, um, <laugh>, my, my only prediction is I predict the only thing certain will be more uncertainty, <laugh>, uh, <laugh>. Uh, and I think it's gonna be important. And, and I'll talk about some of this during my remarks at Broadband Community Summit, not to get too bogged down in the details. Um, and that's why I think these networking events are so important right now. And talk to other folks and find out what they're concerned about, what they're focused on, so that you can kind of, uh, dig through and get to the nuggets of actual importance, actual significance. 'cause there's a fire hose of information coming at us every day right now. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And I think, uh, you know, a good example, I'll bring up the whole Trump Elon Saga <laugh>, which kind of played out before our eyes as the bead restructuring guidance was coming out. And just kind of a timeline here, you know, Trump gets elected and then a lot of folks in the broadband industry hear about this review by Howard Lutnick, and they say, oh man, uh, I think we're transitioning towards low Earth orbit satellite.

(25:21)
I think that's what's gonna result out of this. 'cause Trump and Elon are such good friends, and then there's a falling out, you know, basically on the day the Be guidance is released. Um, and the guidance puts heavy emphasis towards low earth orbit. And then, you know, because of the fallout, there's comments coming from the White House about what's gonna happen to Yvonne's companies. And, you know, it's gonna go a completely different way. And <laugh>, now here we are a week or two later, and they're back on the men's. So, you know, it's hard to stay focused on what's important when you are being hit with a fire hose. We will help you do that, and I'd really advise folks. Uh, just, it's, it's a lot of noise. Uh, think about what is impactful for your goals and focus on that. 

Jessica Denson (26:15):
Very good, good. Very good advice, <laugh>. And it is a little wild to watch. It moves at a rapid pace. Um, yeah. You know, we both were news. You were news, and so was I. And it used to be the 24 hour news cycle, or 48 hour news cycle, and suddenly when Trump came on board, it was the like 10 minute news cycle, <laugh>. Oh yeah. Things can't happen so fast 

Brad Randall (26:37):
Now. We orbit the sun twice a day. I mean, it's, yeah, right. Yeah. 

Jessica Denson (26:41):
Yeah. Okay. The Broadband Community Summit will take place June 23rd through the 25th in Houston, Texas. I'll clune a link to the conference in the description of this podcast, as well as to telecom, uh, total Telecom and to Brad's, uh, podcast. I'll be at the summit on the floor doing interviews for the Connected Nation podcast. And so I love talking with your speakers and your attendees and everybody that's there. Um, so anybody there, please come up, find me. I'm, I'm usually roaming, or I have a spot sometimes <laugh>, uh, Brad is, are there still, is there still time to get some tickets for the event? 

Brad Randall (27:15):
Yep, there's definitely still time. Head to bbc mag.com/tickets. Uh, and if cost is a concern, as I mentioned, please review our free ticket program. Um, the, the show at the summit is gonna be three days of nonstop networking, industry, brainstorming, and educational opportunities. It's gonna be well worth plane ticket to Houston. Uh, so if you can get down there, please do so. 

Jessica Denson (27:38):
Yeah, it's a great con, a great summit. I got to go last year. I'm excited about this year. And I know your, your mind is focused on the next couple of weeks right before coming into the summit, but are there anything else you have planned for later in 2025 or into 2026 that you're already working on, 

Brad Randall (27:55):
Uh, aside from trying to get to Britain for one of those upcoming shows? Yeah, I think that'd be great. Uh, I've, I've never been to Britain myself, and now because I work at Terrapin, I got a lot of friends over there who are pledging to show me around in London, so that sounds like a fun time. It, but what I'm looking forward to is EC 2025. It's gonna be in Las Vegas this November. Uh, so I haven't been to that city in a few years, but it becomes a real estate technology and transformation center event, R-E-T-T-C, that's kind of the, uh, the, the new organization they have there. And it's focused on PropTech, so there's always kind of cool things coming out. And optech is where you see that type of stuff. So I'm, I'm pretty excited for it this year. 

Jessica Denson (28:40):
That sounds cool. 

Brad Randall (28:41):
Yeah. 

Jessica Denson (28:42):
Um, any final thoughts you'd like to leave us with regarding the event or topics that are coming up, or anything that we didn't touch on? 

Brad Randall (28:49):
Well, we have a ton of exhibitors as well. I, I touched on PropTech for, um, I know most of our audience is, is educated on what PropTech is, but property technology, uh, you know, how can technology help you as an owner operator if you are in that position to reduce your costs, uh, to enhance sustainability, which, you know, drives the bottom line. So we're talking about smart technology that can help you save on heating costs, help you secure buildings, help you. Uh, I mean, I'm trying to think of all the things it can do. I've seen, you know, dishwashers that are smart dishwashers, it sinks, you know, I, I have a 4-year-old that loves to turn the sink on and, you know, we'll notice a few, uh, <laugh> like a half hour later that it's on. Uh, they have smart sensors for that type of stuff. I have, uh, water leak sensors in my basement in case I get a leak or a flood. Uh, that'll tell me on my phone. Uh, smart CO2 detectors. So we have a lot of, uh, cool exhibitors coming to broadband communities. So check out the expo hall if you're there, and give them some love too. And you may, what, like what you see may get some ideas out of it. If you're a provider, um, you may get, you know, some light bulbs going off over your head if you walk that expo floor. 

Jessica Denson (30:09):
Yeah, I usually do that at least once or twice. 'cause it's just so interesting some of the things that you find mm-hmm <affirmative>. So I would definitely, uh, echo that sentiment. Well, Brad, uh, it is nice talking to you again, and I look forward to see you in person in just, uh, about a week and a half or so. 

Brad Randall (30:24):
Thank you, Jessica. And, uh, I appreciate your time and, and yeah, your, your focus on broadband community 

Jessica Denson (30:29):
Summit. Yeah, of course. Again, we've been talking with Brad Randall, who is the, with Total Telecom, the company helping to organize this year's Broadband Community Summit. Include a link to the conference and the description of this podcast. Again, I'll be at the conference with the Connected Nation podcast. If you'll be in attendance, be sure to look for me, and let's chat about the broadband issues you care about. I'm Jessica Denson. Thanks for listening to Connected Nation. If you'd like our show and wanna know more about us, head to connect nation.org or look for the latest episodes on iTunes, iHeartRadio, Google Podcast, Pandora, or Spotify.