Local Roadblocks and Minefields: Avoiding Common Mistakes with New Market Entry

Sunday, June 1, 2025

4:30 PM - 5:15 PM CT

Location: Canal D

Moderator(s)

Josh Motzer

Director, Public Policy, Government Affairs
Brightspeed

Panelist(s)

Megan Bertino (she/her/hers)

Corporate Counsel
Lumos Fiber
High Point, North Carolina, United States
Ryan Kudera (he/him/his)

Manager, Client Services
Finley USA
Baggs, Wyoming, United States
Louis Panzer (he/him/his)

Executive Director
NC811.org
Josh Summit

Director, OSP Engineering
GloFiber
Lincolnton, North Carolina, United States
Betty Chang

Expansion & Operational Alignment Program Management Lead
GFiber, North Carolina, United States

One of the biggest challenges facing new broadband networks is the paperwork, specifically the environmental reviews, locates, and permitting approvals needed before construction can start. Given that most networks will likely be deployed across a combination of state, federal, and privately owned land, and possibly Tribal-owned land, or access to railways, bridge/overpass infrastructures, poles or towers, ducts or conduits or federal and state highways, the number of federal, state, and local agencies an operator must work with can be overwhelming.