The connectivity lifeline for schools, libraries, and hospitals

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Joseph “Joey” Wender, Executive Director of SHLB. The conversation explores the future of the Universal Service Fund, the ongoing fight to close the homework gap, cybersecurity challenges facing community institutions, and how reliable connectivity can be life-changing, and even lifesaving, for communities across the country.

Recommended links:

Joseph Wender LinkedIn

SHLB website

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:07):
This is Connect to 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. Let me ask you a simple question. How important is it to you that your local schools, hospitals, and libraries have the connectivity they need to do the work they're doing? I'm guessing it's probably pretty important if you have kids in school, you use the library, or you're ever sick and need to see a doctor. On this episode of Connected Nation, I talk with an organization that is working to ensure your local hospitals, schools, and libraries are connected. We talk with leadership from Shelby about the biggest challenges to making that possible. I'm Jessica Denson and this is Connected Nation. We're back at Fiber Connect 2026 taking place in Orlando, Florida, May 17th through the 20th.

(01:07)
And I have one of my favorite people that I've decided that I think is amazing in the broadband world and that is Joseph Wender. Also, he told me I can call him Joey, so I'm going to refer to you as Joey the rest of the time. He is with the exec- Shelby, he is the executive director with Shelby. Thank you for joining us. 

Joseph Wender (01:23):
Thanks for having me. 

Jessica Denson (01:24):
Yeah. Um, he thought I wouldn't do this, um, on the recording, I'm sure, but I am. We were just talking about some of our past in the broadcast industry and you used to do, uh, calls for who? Cardinal, Wesley Per- The 

Joseph Wender (01:39):
Wesleyan University Cardinals in Middletown, Connecticut. <laugh> That was the voice of the Wesleyan Cardinals. <laugh> 

Jessica Denson (01:45):
So I'm, I'm actually brushing up against celebrity. Is that right? Is that true? 

Joseph Wender (01:49):
Uh, that's one way to describe it, yes. 

Jessica Denson (01:51):
Yes. Yes. Do you want to do a quick call for us? 

Joseph Wender (01:53):
Good afternoon and welcome to Beautiful Andrews Field. <laugh> 

Jessica Denson (01:57):
Yeah. Joey has a personality, which is why I love to interview him. He's fantastic. Plus, you work for an amazing organization that's doing a lot of good across the country and helping a lot of people, I will say that. So you have a good heart too. So that is Shelby, which is SHLB, but that has a, a longer act, um, it stands for something. So I'll let you take it from there. You take us, tell us what Shelby does and what your mission is. Joseph Wender (02:22):

Sure. So we're the Schools Health and Library's Broadband Coalition. Mm-hmm. Our mission is to ensure that anchor institutions around the country, schools, libraries, health clinics, have the connectivity they need to serve their communities. I mean, these are places where we learn, where we grow, where we seek care. Anchors are the heartbeats of our communities and we need to ensure that we've got the resources needed to continue to be that gathering place around the country. Jessica Denson (02:51):

I find that, uh, the anchor institution, the idea of that so important. You know, people don't talk enough about the fact that libraries are a place that a lot of people go to get access. Uh, talk about the importance of supporting our libraries and why that matters. Joseph Wender (03:06):

Sure. Libraries are one of the few places anybody can go to. Jessica Denson (03:10):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (03:11):

The reason to go to a library is endless, right? It's from checking out a book to taking a class to learn Excel and everything in between, right? And so libraries are this hub of community involvement, of community activity. Well, you have to be connected to the internet. You need high speed internet at a library to be able to support all of these functions. Also, Jessica Denson (03:36):

Don't they also help not only they have the access, but they help people learn how to use it as well, right? Yeah. Joseph Wender (03:41):

Talk to a librarian Jessica Denson (03:42):

About what Joseph Wender (03:43):

They do. And they'll say, "How much time do you have? " <laugh> Right? How people come in with a whole range of issues, whether my phone doesn't work to, I want to use a 3D printer to create something for a school project. Jessica Denson (03:57):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (03:58):

I mean, there are so many different things. There's so many different activities that happen in a library that are all dependent upon the internet. Jessica Denson (04:06):

Mm-hmm. And schools may s- may seem like a, I'm obviously breaking apart your- Sure. I know it's good. Schools may seem like an obvious thing that needs connection, especially after we've gone through the pandemic a few years ago, that thing that we will not speak about too much, but, um, it was kind of a learning curve. We used to talk about the homework gap and that, um, millions of children were in that where they didn't have the same access at home as they did at school, but that's really gone even further, hasn't it, that schools really need more technology now or just talk about where schools are in that space at the moment. Joseph Wender (04:41):

Sure. The need for bandwidth only increases over time. It doesn't decrease. Jessica Denson (04:47):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (04:48):

It only increases. So think about a school. Think about a smart building. Really, every building now is a smart building. You need internet not just to access educational materials, you also need the internet for the security system, for the communication system, for HVAC, for all the range of functions that happen in a building, they're all dependent upon the internet. Jessica Denson (05:12):

I see you're pointing, who are you pointing behind me? Joseph Wender (05:14):

Drew Clark. Jessica Denson (05:14):

Hey, Drew Clark <laugh> with, uh, he's awesome. Broadband breakfast, right? You got it. Yeah. I, it took me a second to place him. He's gone into the press lounge so now we can't get to him. <laugh> But he's awesome. Um, and so with, with schools, there's the idea of there was a lot of talk during the pandemic about sending the technology home with the kids. Is that still a thing for, um, is Shelby still working toward that or working with schools to make sure that kids have access at home as well as in the classroom? Joseph Wender (05:42):

The homework gap is still real. Jessica Denson (05:43):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (05:44):

It still exists. There are millions of students out there that do not have access at home. Either they don't have the internet or they don't have a device to connect to the internet. Mm-hmm. We still think that is a big issue. Unfortunately, this FCC has moved in the opposite direction. Jessica Denson (06:01):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (06:02):

This FCC has canceled the hotspot program. They've canceled the school bus wifi program, which we think is regrettable, we oppose, but that doesn't mean they can't come back in the future and Shelby will continue to fight to ensure that students have connectivity, not just at school, but at home. Because you can't, it should be a level playing field. Mm-hmm. Right? If you're a well off student, you're going to be able to connect at home and you're going to be able to do your homework, right? We're fighting for the low income communities, right? The immigrant communities, we're the have- nots, right? Jessica Denson (06:36):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (06:37):

That don't have the resources to connect to the internet at home. We got to keep fighting for those kids, otherwise they're just going to be left behind and be on the wrong side of the digital divide. Jessica Denson (06:47):

Mm-hmm. And I can't help but think while you were talking about that about when, um, you know, all boats rise when you, the idea that- Of course. ... of helping all of people that will help us all and the importance, especially with things like AI coming through and things like that, how critical is it to level that playing field? Joseph Wender (07:07):

Donald Trump put out an executive order last year- Jessica Denson (07:10):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (07:11):

... on education and AI and in it he explicitly said, s- classrooms and teachers need the equipment and tools needed- mm-hmm. ... to support increasing use of AI. I agree. I agree with the president on that statement. Mm-hmm. Now, I think the next statement should have been in the executive order. That's why programs such as the E-rates are so important because how are you going to have the tools- Jessica Denson (07:40):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (07:41):

... to equip teachers and schools to teach AI without high speed broadband? Jessica Denson (07:48):

Right. Joseph Wender (07:48):

That's impossible. Mm-hmm. Those two things are linked, okay? Mm-hmm. And so that's why we're here talking about high schools have to have high speed internet. Mm-hmm. Because you know that in wealthy communities and affluent communities, they'll have those connections. Jessica Denson (08:04):

Right. Joseph Wender (08:05):

Kids will learn those skills. But what about in low income communities? That was the whole idea of E-Rate in the first place to ensure that it is a leveling, level playing field and that every student had those opportunities when they walked inside the classroom. Jessica Denson (08:19):

So it's really aligned with the current administration in that sense. Um- It should be. Joseph Wender (08:23):

I mean- Right, Jessica Denson (08:24):

It should be, yes. It should be. Mm-hmm. So explain for, uh, someone who may not know, I know a lot of our audience are in the broadband space, but we do have people who are not. So explain what rate is. Joseph Wender (08:34):

Sure. Rate is part of the universal service fund. Mm-hmm. It was Congress's first attempt to really close the digital divide and bring high speed internet to all Americans. Rate is a discount, okay? Mm-hmm. The more kids that qualify for school lunch in a given school district, the more the federal government subsidizes the school's internet bills, Jessica Denson (09:02):

Right? Mm-hmm. So essentially just bringing that to the low, low income areas- That's right. ... helping those that are, that are, that have us. It pays for the Joseph Wender (09:10):

OPEX. It pays for the operation- Jessica Denson (09:12):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (09:13):

... to pay the bill for the internet to come into the school. Jessica Denson (09:17):

Mm-hmm. I always tell people when, um, I don't have any children, but, um, just so that everybody knows, but I'm just kidding. I don't have any children and I, I do have a point with this and, um, I've had conversations with people about, you know, that I pay property taxes because I have a home and part of that goes to the schools and I'm like, yes, I want our kids educated because that's <laugh> those are the people who are gonna run our country down the road. Those are the people who are gonna build our, our bridges and our businesses and, and it's so important. So I applaud this just as from a personal level. I think it's fantastic to do that. These kids need to have the connectivity. They do. And so you wanted to touch and before we were, before we started the, the interview, you were talking about USF and that you really want to touch on where that is, what's happening in Congress, the courts.
(10:02)
You, you kind of, you touched a little bit on the FCC, but why don't you expand upon where USF is, the Universal Service Fund and Shelby's point of view on, on that pro- right now? Joseph Wender (10:12):

Sure. Well, let me start with from the premise that the Universal Service Fund should be strengthened. Mm-hmm. We should be modernizing it and ensuring that it's more sustainable and predictable for the future. It is a good thing and should remain and get stronger and better. The current state of play though is it faces a number of threats. I like to call them the trifecta of threats. <laugh> Three Cs. Jessica Denson (10:41):

Uh-huh. Joseph Wender (10:41):

Courts, Congress, commission. And with, within there, I'll explain there's both threats and opportunities. We'll start with the courts. Mm-hmm. Last year, Shelby won a landmark Supreme Court case. The constitutionality of the whole thing of the Universal Service Fund, which includes not just E-Rate, but also the rural healthcare program as well as Lifeline and the High Cost Program were challenged in court and it went all the way to the high court. Mm-hmm. Shelby was a named party in the case. We won 6-3. It was a major victory for students, for library patrons, and for rural residents who use healthcare all around the country. Mm-hmm. So that threat was, um, neutralized. That being said, there is continuing litigation in the Fifth Circuit challenging certain aspects of the Universal Service Fund and Shelby is a named party and we are pushing back and we're optimistic we will continue to prevail.
(11:45)
Then you got Congress. The story from Congress is a better story because in courts we're just trying to preserve the status quo, but in Congress, there's a real opportunity to modernize and improve. Mm-hmm. So there's a group of senators, bipartisan, by Camero, who have come together, formed a working group with the stated goal of making it better, making it more sustainable. And we have worked very closely with those offices and we are hopeful, we're optimistic that they will come up with some type of plan this summer that they will publish- mm-hmm.
(12:20)
... and that we'll get, you know, obviously a lot of feedback and the hope is that one day that can become law. Jessica Denson (12:25):

Mm-hmm. Instead of something that's at risk every year? Joseph Wender (12:28):

Exactly.
(12:30)
Mm-hmm. Finally, you've got the commission. You know, the commission, we don't agree with the steps it's taken on e-rates. Mm-hmm. Right? It has taken away school bus wifi, it has taken away the hotspot program. It has now created this new thing called a bidding portal, which is only going to create more burdens on applicants, meaning schools and libraries- mm-hmm. ... as well as providers to participate in the program. So I think the commission is moving in the wrong direction. Mm-hmm. Not trying to expand and improve the program. They're making it more difficult. Uh, but we will continue to work with the commission and hope that, you know, they take no more negative steps and instead our, you know, work to actually improve it. Jessica Denson (13:10):

And you're, you're dealing with schools, hospitals, libraries, these very, um, important pieces in the com- in communities across the country. Uh, are, are a lot of them stepping up and adding their voices to this? Joseph Wender (13:24):

They are. Jessica Denson (13:24):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (13:25):

They are. You know, my biggest challenge, I should say my job- Uh-huh. ... right, is to lift up their voices. This program has existed for nearly 30 years. Mm-hmm. It's nearly a $3 billion year over year program, specifically the E-Rate program. Mm-hmm. And on the rural healthcare side, it's about $800 million a year. You have to constantly remind lawmakers. This Jessica Denson (13:50):

Is not- You have to Joseph Wender (13:50):

Constantly remind policymakers that this matters. We don't have to go into politics, we don't have to go into specifics, but I, I, I think everybody understands there's so much noise- mm-hmm. ... and there's so many different priorities in DC that if you wanna make sure your thing, right, the thing you care about, and in this case it's internet connectivity, if you think it matters, you have to raise your voice. You have to go in, right? We had a fly- this spring Shelby organized. Uh-huh. 87 meetings across the hill with key lawmakers on the committees of jurisdiction. One after one emphasizing, this thing matters. You should support it. You have to continue to do that over and over and over again. Jessica Denson (14:37):

Especially when you have turnover <laugh> or if you get turnover. Joseph Wender (14:41):

You have turnover of members of Jessica Denson (14:42):

Congress- Right. Joseph Wender (14:43):

... and you have turnover of staff. Jessica Denson (14:44):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (14:45):

So a lot of politics is just education and reeducation. Jessica Denson (14:49):

Mm-hmm. And, uh, I wanna come back, I wanna put a pin in that because I wanna come back to some of your background because you have, you understand how the Hill works and DC works- I do. ... for good reason. But I wanna pick out that H in Shelby and talk about the hospitals out there. Is it just rural hospitals or is it across the board or, um, and what are some of the things that they're saying that you're hearing from them? Joseph Wender (15:11):

Sure. It is not hyperbole- Jessica Denson (15:14):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (15:15):

... to say that connectivity in a rural health clinic is a matter of life or death. That is not a hyp- that's not hyperpole. Jessica Denson (15:22):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (15:23):

If you get into a car crash, if you have a heart attack in a rural area and you're rushed to a health clinic, the chances are that there is not, if you break a bone there's not a radiologist or if you have a heart attack, there's not a cardiologist there, but there is one at an urban hospital and there's one that could read that x-ray- mm-hmm. ... and scan that patient in real time. Jessica Denson (15:50):

If they have the connectivity. Correct. <laugh> You're waiting for me to ho- Joseph Wender (15:54):

Thank you. <laugh> Jessica Denson (15:55):

Thank you for, Joseph Wender (15:55):

For finishing my sentence. Jessica Denson (15:56):

You're welcome. Seconds Joseph Wender (15:57):

Matter. Jessica Denson (15:58):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (15:58):

Seconds matter. Jessica Denson (15:59):

Yeah. If you're Joseph Wender (15:59):

Having a heart attack, seconds literally matter- mm-hmm. ... between life or death. And so these, and one more point I would make is that these connections or this care, right, these, this, the work between rural and urban centers, it requires more and more bandwidth because there's more and more data that is flowing back and forth. Mm-hmm. Again, more bandwidth needs, more fiber needs, right? More, more help needed to ensure that rural residents get the healthcare that their urban counterparts enjoy. Jessica Denson (16:33):

And you think about some of these rural hospitals that have closed over the last five, 10 years, I can imagine that need has only expanded. Joseph Wender (16:40):

Absolutely. Jessica Denson (16:41):

Mm-hmm. And that with remote monitoring devices, all kinds of things, we could, we could dive into that for an hour, for sure. Joseph Wender (16:48):

Absolutely. Jessica Denson (16:48):

Yeah. Joseph Wender (16:48):

I mean, the, the, the use cases in telehealth- Jessica Denson (16:52):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (16:53):

... are both evident, self-evident and endless. <laugh> Jessica Denson (16:56):

Yes. Joseph Wender (16:56):

Endless. Jessica Denson (16:57):

Mm-hmm. So I said we're gona put a pin in this, so let's come back to it. Great. Um, talk a little bit about your background before you joined Shelby and why you have some understanding of, of how things work in DC. Joseph Wender (17:09):

Sure. Uh, I've worked in both branch, two of the three branches of government. Mm-hmm. Right? I worked on the Hill for almost 13 years, most of it for Senator Ed Markey- mm-hmm. ... who founded, created the E-rates amongst other things. So I've seen it on the legislative side- mm-hmm. ... right? How this works, why support from Congress matters so much, why you need champions on the hill for your programs. I also spent the last three years before I came to Shelby in the administration running the director of the Capital Projects Fund, which was the $10 billion down payment, I say down payment because it came before BEAD, I'm bringing affordable, reliable, high speed internet to all Americans. So I've seen why these federal programs, these year over year opera- OPEX programs such as ERA and the rural healthcare program are so important. But I've also seen why CapEx programs such as the Capital Projects Fund or BEAD are also so important. Jessica Denson (18:09):

The Capital Projects Fund, a lot of states did something, did, were able to act really quickly with that. Didn't it, did it move very fast? Joseph Wender (18:16):

It did. That's why we set up, we purposefully set up the rules so that states could move quickly so that they could deploy the funds and get the fiber and get the connections to homes and businesses and anchors as quickly as possible. The longer you wait- mm-hmm. ... the more opportunity that's missed. Jessica Denson (18:37):

Yes. So we agree. And now we're in this A- age of AI, I don't know what else to call it because that's the conversation everybody's having. And without that connectivity, your e- the divide's even bigger as we- The Joseph Wender (18:46):

Divide is even bigger and the costs only increase. Mm-hmm. So the cost of deployment only go up every year. So the quicker you deploy, the more efficient and cheaper it is. Jessica Denson (18:57):

Right. Joseph Wender (18:57):

Just as a function of inflation. Jessica Denson (18:59):

Right. So because you've had this with that experience, I'm gonna put you on the spot a little bit. Sure. Tell me what people get right and what they get wrong about the inner workings of DC. <laugh> From your point of view. Joseph Wender (19:15):

I think ... <laugh> That's a great question. What do they get? I think they get, I think some people get wrong that there are many, many members of Congress and people in the administration- Jessica Denson (19:29):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (19:30):

... that care deeply about these issues. Jessica Denson (19:32):

About being a public servant, I Joseph Wender (19:33):

Think- Absolutely. And that there's really not that wide a disagreement between parties. Mm-hmm. You know, you look at the bipartisan working group on the Universal Service Fund and we had at our conference last October, Anchor Nets, which we host every year in D.C. Mm-hmm. We had a staffer from Senator Sullivan's, uh, office who's a Republican from Alaska and a staffer, a Democratic staffer from Senator Luhan's office of New Mexico. So a Republican staffer and a Democratic staffer on stage talking about the future of the Universal Service Fund. Mm-hmm. Well, if you closed your eyes and you didn't hear the female voice and the male voice, the two sounded the same. They sounded the same. They wanted, they had the same objectives. Mm-hmm. They had the s- similar ideas, they had a general sense of what the solution is. And so I think people in our obviously very polarized time on certain issue- mm-hmm.
(20:36)
... overlooked the fact that when it comes to infrastructure, when it comes to connectivity, most people are of like mind. Jessica Denson (20:43):

Mm-hmm. And do you think sitting ... So what, what do people get wrong? It's just that they, they think that there, every, there's all this polarizing. Yeah, everybody's, everybody's Joseph Wender (20:53):

In disagreement. Jessica Denson (20:53):

Uh-huh <affirmative>. The Joseph Wender (20:54):

Truth is most people agree on these issues. <laugh> Jessica Denson (20:57):

So, um, do you think that's important when it, it, or do you think it helps that we have things like this like anchor nets that you brought up or Fiber Connect, these conferences where we're face to face? There's a little more- Absolutely. Joseph Wender (21:10):

Absolutely. It forces people to acknowledge that there is common ground. Mm-hmm. And it also builds momentum for what we all as stakeholders want, whether it's be non-deployment implementation or we want to reform the Universal Service Fund, it still matters gathering. Look, I think in, even though we have, you know, we're promoting internet connectivity, my job is to promote anchor institutions. Anchor institutions are inherently places where humans gather together. <laugh> Yes. And that's more relevant than ever, I think, in 2026. Jessica Denson (21:46):

Oh, yeah. I would agree with you there. And when you, when you connect an anchor institution, does that make it easier to connect the community from there? Joseph Wender (21:54):

Yes. That is another benefit, right? Mm-hmm. So thinking very basically an anchor, part of the punm is an anchor tenant for an internet service provider. Jessica Denson (22:06):

Got it. And then they can s- branch off there. Joseph Wender (22:08):

They're bringing a big pipe into the anchor. And so now you've got high speed at the, at the anchor and anchors are, think about a school, think about a library, think about a health clinic. They're in a community. Mm-hmm. So now all community benefits from the fact that there's a high speed connection going to the anchor. Jessica Denson (22:24):

Right. So anchor nets, what, uh, when's the next conference? Joseph Wender (22:27):

October 7th through 9th. It's in Arlington, Virginia. So just over the river from DC we have four to 500 people, uh, deep on policy, deep on connections, right? Deep on, deep on, um, thinking about what the future is for schools, for libraries, for healthcare providers, for anchors generally and so many great ways to meet people, to connect, uh, strongly encourage your listeners to come out to anchor nets. Jessica Denson (22:59):

I'll include a link to the, the Joseph Wender (23:01):

Conference description podcast. I know Connected Nation comes every year and you guys are terrific members. Uh, it's a, it's a wonderful time, uh, to come to DC. Jessica Denson (23:09):

So let's talk future. What, what is, what is Shelby ... I mean, yes, UC- USF, you're focused on that and you're focused on, um, uh, E-Rate, but where do you see the future going for Shelby? Where do you, where are you really looking in the next year, five years? Is it just to, to keep that moving forward or, or are there some other things that you're looking at? Joseph Wender (23:32):

Sure. I think it's, I think the, the thing I also want to raise here besides putting the Universal Service Fund on, on, on stronger financial and legal grounds is there are more needs out there- Jessica Denson (23:45):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (23:46):

... that schools, libraries, and health clinics are facing. And one of those is cybersecurity, right? So E-Rate and, and, and the rural healthcare program, the ability for anchors to spend money on cybersecurity is limited. Mm-hmm. And I'd like to see these funds expanded because the rate of cyber incidents, the, the rate of attacks on our schools, libraries and health clinics is only increasing. Jessica Denson (24:13):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (24:13):

And we need to be ready for that and we need to address that. We saw a major attack last week, you know, Canvas is a, is a, is a system that many school districts, including, uh, where my kids go to school, my elementary students, uh, and my son was telling me there was some attack, kid's nine, and he's telling me about a cyber attack. That's just one of, uh, many, many, many examples of the need for increased funding on cybersecurity. Jessica Denson (24:41):

And is that also what you're hearing from, from your members is, yeah, we need, we need some focus on help with, and help with that. The Canvas thing is a great example though. So, I mean, you don't even think about elementary and high schools or being an area that a hacker would, uh, target. So where are there some other, uh, places that perhaps we lack that need? Is, is it the hospitals? Is it the libraries? I mean, where do you think there are some old there? If Joseph Wender (25:08):

You, Jessica, if you talk to a chief technology officer- Jessica Denson (25:13):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (25:14):

... of any school, library or health clinic, the top thing or one of the top things they will raise to you is cybersecurity. Mm-hmm. If you say, "So how many cyber attacks have you gotten this week?" Their response will be, "How many cyber attacks are we receiving right now?" Like literally right now we are being probed and prodded by some attacker right now. Jessica Denson (25:42):

Yeah. So for you, you would like the USF or something, some of the, a portion of that used for this or is it something- Joseph Wender (25:50):

Yeah, we add eligible services. I gotcha. Right? You would, you would allow, you would allow the anchors to use, to have more funding and to be able to use their universal service funds to, for cybersecurity protections. Jessica Denson (26:02):

Gotcha. And right now, about how many members are in Shelby? Joseph Wender (26:06):

About 350. Jessica Denson (26:07):

About 350. And those are all those, it's at, at an organizational level, right? Yes. Yeah. So what would you hope that people would take away from our conversation today? What is, for you, the most, um, urgent need, the most important thing, um, things that if, if people have conversations with their Congressmen or women that they would have a conversation about and say, "I care about this because ... Joseph Wender (26:34):

" Support funding for schools, support funding for libraries, support funding for health clinics at a time when there's increased strain on state and local budgets. Mm-hmm. This is not a time to be cutting federal funding for these essential activities, these places need internet connectivity. We live in 2026. Let's not be moving backwards. We need to move forward. Mm-hmm. And these places are more relevant and important as ever. A school will always be essential. It's our future. Jessica Denson (27:10):

Right. Joseph Wender (27:10):

Libraries are, they even now are more important than ever. It's, it's one of the only places in a community where people can go to learn and grow. Mm-hmm. And then as you stated on the healthcare side, with the closing of more and more hospitals, health clinics in rural areas can't live without them. Jessica Denson (27:32):

And I, I know I'm doing a little backtracking here, but I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the BEAD non-deployment funds. Yes. Um, which for those who don't know, which I imagine most of our audience does, is it's about half of what the initial BEAD deployment was going to be, which was 42 billion. There's still about 20, 21 billion on the table, um, that we're s- states were supposed to still get, but how it's going to be used is a question. How would you like it to be used? Joseph Wender (28:01):

I like it to be used in accordance with the text and the intent behind the law. Jessica Denson (28:06):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (28:06):

Right? There was a whole long list of eligible uses in the law that states are permitted to use the money for. Jessica Denson (28:15):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (28:16):

Let states decide. Free up the money and put states in the driver's seat. That's what I want to see happen, and I hope NTIA moves fast. Jessica Denson (28:26):

So that they're actually the states who are on the ground, the people that, at those state broadband offices who know what their communities need can really- Joseph Wender (28:32):

Yeah, I just had a wonderful breakfast with Eric, the state broadband director of Michigan. Jessica Denson (28:35):

Mm-hmm. Joseph Wender (28:36):

I mean, he's ready. They got all sorts of plans. Mm-hmm. Right? And albeit for me as someone in DC to think I know what's best in Michigan, right? One of the things that I said often when I was the director of the Capitol Projects Fund- mm-hmm. ... is Washington does not know best. The design of the Capital Projects Fund, the design of the BEAD program is to really put states in charge, but the Feds are really supposed to be a supporting act. Mm-hmm. And it's designed that way because the needs in Nevada are different than that in New York or New Jersey or North Carolina. It's different geography, it's a different set of providers, it's a different footprint- mm-hmm. Jessica Denson (29:23):

... of an Joseph Wender (29:23):

Existing network. So why should we have a one size fits all program? Jessica Denson (29:28):

Yeah, I would agree with that. I talked to these <laugh> a lot of state broadband offices, um, even on this podcast and they all have different needs, some similarities, but they're all very different. Right. Even just from topography to whether to just how many people don't have access. So I would agree with Joseph Wender (29:44):

That. Why, why would we impose the same solution on New Hampshire- Jessica Denson (29:47):

Right. ... than Joseph Wender (29:47):

We do on Nebraska? Jessica Denson (29:49):

Yeah. Yeah. Joseph Wender (29:50):

Doesn't make sense. Jessica Denson (29:51):

Mm-hmm. I agree with that. Well, uh, Joey, as I get to call you <laugh> Jerry's executive director of Shelby, I really appreciate Appreciate your time today. Do you wanna do a call us off like this is Connected Nation or something with your, your, uh, your baseball voice? <laugh> Joseph Wender (30:09):

Thanks everyone for tuning in. Connected Nation. Thank you so much. Jessica Denson (30:14):

And the crowd goes wild. The Joseph Wender (30:15):

Crowd goes wild. Jessica Denson (30:16):

Yeah. Joseph Wender (30:17):

Drive home safe. Jessica Denson (30:18):

<laugh> Thank you so much for joining me today. Bye. Bye. I'll continue my coverage from Fiber Connect 2026 in upcoming episodes of the Connected Nation podcast. Until then, I'm Jessica Denson and this is Connected Nation. If you wanna know more about us, head to connectednation.org and you can find our latest episodes on your favorite podcast platform.