Bonfire Infrastructure Group

The Rural Broadband Institute is an initiative designed to help under-resourced communities navigate the complexities of broadband planning, funding applications, and long-term digital infrastructure development. As rural communities work to expand connectivity, programs like this can play a critical role in building local capacity and ensuring no community is left behind.

Reliable broadband access continues to be foundational for economic development, healthcare, education, and community resilience especially in rural and underserved regions. https://bbcmag.com/rural-broadband-institute-launches-to-help-under-resourced-communities/

Rural Broadband Institute launches for disadvantaged communities - Broadband Communities The newly launched Rural Broadband Institute will offer memberships for rural broadband advocates alongside a full range of services.

New to broadband or video service? You don’t have to go it alone.

In this Broadband Heroes clip, Nick asks how first-time network owners can launch broadband and video without deep in-house expertise.

Emily from Whitepaw Solutions shares a partner-first approach: stay customer-facing locally while experienced partners handle outages, operations, and video behind the scenes.

Why it matters: the right partnerships cut capex, reduce risk, and speed time-to-service—especially for communities adding video for the first time. https://youtu.be/56J8g_uaRe8?si=DtjpTi8SK44JCg4j

For years, the focus in telecom was on the build—cost per passing, miles of fiber, homes reached. But today, with tens of millions of homes now passed and a clear path to near-universal coverage, the conversation is shifting.

It’s no longer just about where fiber goes. It’s about who’s connected, who understands its value, and how we, as an industry, help communities fully realize the benefits.

Our guests on this episode include:
🦸🏻‍♂️ Jessica Koch, Controller at Consolidated Business Services, LLC & FBA Conference Chair
🦸🏻‍♂️ Patrick Mulhearn, Director of Government Affairs at Ripple Fiber & FBA Conference Vice-Chair
🦸🏻‍♂️ Josh Orlowitz, Director of Strategy and Planning at Bonfire Infrastructure Group
🦸🏻‍♂️ Nick Dinsmoor, Chief Marketing Officer at Bonfire Infrastructure Group

https://youtu.be/EXXsD7iujVo?si=e018v0Wbqwlzta5m

BROADBAND HEROES Broadband Heroes | Ep. 54 | We Built the Network… Now What?