Broadband Breakfast on September 18, 2024 - Measuring Broadband: What’s the Next Step?

In the evolving world of broadband, measuring connection is as crucial as it is complex. In light of major federal broadband fundings, how do we quantify broadband deployment? Join Broadband Breakfast as we examine lessons from past efforts, debate current metrics, and chart a course for more effective broadband measurement to ensure our investments truly bridge the digital divide.

Panelists

• Bryan Darr, Vice President - Government Affairs, Ookla
• Joe Ross, Senior Partner and Co-founder, Televate, LLC 
• Randall René, Director - Telecom Industry Solutions, Esri
• Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO, California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF)
• Alexis D. Schrubbe, Director of the Internet Equity Initiative, University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute
• Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Bryan Darr is the Vice-President of Government Affairs at Ookla, spearheading the company’s programs for federal, state and local governments. He also leads Ookla’s advocacy efforts with lawmakers and policy organizations, promoting the value of crowdsourced intelligence to help with better data-driven decisioning. Bryan founded Mosaik in 1988 (originally branded as American Roamer) and began developing consumer roaming guides. The company ultimately built a global catalog of mobile network spectrum and coverage as well as developing and acquiring other telecom related datasets. In June 2018, Mosaik was acquired by Ookla. Bryan currently serves on CTIA’s Smart Cities Working Group, WIA’s Innovation Technology Council and the Wireless History Foundation’s Board of Directors. 

Joe Ross is a Senior Partner and co-founder of Televate, LLC. Founded in 2001, Televate has provided governments with consulting services for wired and wireless networks at the state and local level. His advocacy for wireless broadband spectrum in the wake of 9/11 ultimately led to the creation of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network. Joe began his career building some of the first cellular networks across multiple continents. He is currently engaged in the support of governments to take advantage of federal grant funding to address broadband gaps in infrastructure and utilization. 

Dr. Alexis D. Schrubbe is the Director of the Internet Equity Initiative at the University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute. With over 12 years of experience in digital equity, broadband research, and technology policy, she is a leading figure in advancing digital inclusion through innovative, data-driven approaches. Her work integrates research, education, and community engagement to promote equitable access to digital resources and broadband infrastructure.

Breakfast Media LLC CEO Drew Clark has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing tool to collect and verify broadband data left unpublished by the Federal Communications Commission. As CEO and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media community advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.