Biographybroadband maine

The Maine Broadband Coalition gives voice to internet users across the state to secure universal, affordable, and equitable access to broadband connectivity.
Adam Bender, Senior Editor, is the state and local telecommunications reporter for Communications Daily, where he also has covered.
A lack of broadband is strangling Maine's business ecosystem what can be done to get high-speed access across the state?

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Statewide Broadband in Maine – The Benefits to Business – Kerem Durdag

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This week on Fast Forward Maine we’re going to be talking about what it will take to bring broadband throughout the state of Maine.

We’ve got President and Chief Operating Office of GWI, Kerem Durdag, with us, to talk about why broadband is essential to the growth, health, and well-being of the people and the business ecosystem here in Maine.

Rich: My guest today is President and Chief Operating Officer of GWI, a leading ISP in telco here in Maine. Previously, he served as the entrepreneur in residence for the Maine Technology Institute, a quasi-public loan and venture capital entity. He was a CEO of a startup in the sensors market, leading into growth and eventual acquisition by a public company.

Another startup he led, Medical Device and Advanced Materials was sold in 2016 to a global Chinese company, after he failed to sustain the growth trajectory. Who includes that in their bio? You’ve got to be pretty awesome if you

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I’m Cameron Kilton, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Nextlink, where I leverage over 25 years of experience in telecommunications to connect rural America through innovative broadband solutions. My career spans designing, building, and managing wireless broadband, cellular, AMI, and fiber-optic networks—delivering reliable connectivity to underserved communities.

A passionate advocate for customers and a recognized leader in the WISP community, I’ve spent nearly two decades driving large-scale wireless and fiber network deployments at local, state, and federal levels. At Nextlink, I’ve spearheaded cutting-edge projects like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) initiative, helping secure $429.2 million in funding to deliver broadband to over 206,000 locations across 12 states.

I’m also leading Nextlink’s early adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance customer interactions, streamline operations, and automate network management. These initiatives are shaping a smarter, more responsive network while positioning Nextlink

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Adam Bender

Neb. PSC Hiring, Mapping for Coming Broadband Dollars

December 14, 2022 by Adam Bender|Top News

The Nebraska Public Service Commission is preparing for the NTIA broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program, after receiving planning funds, Chair Dan Watermeier (R) told state senators Tuesday. The Nebraska Senate Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard updates on state broadband and 911 upgrade efforts at a livestreamed hearing. Earlier that day, PSC commissioners opened a docket to administer Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) broadband support through the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP).

Topics:Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Maine Officials Tout State Broadband Efforts

December 12, 2022 by Adam Bender|State Telecom

Maine broadband officials are “moving at lightning speed,” while “trying to be strategic,” as they attempt to close the state’s digital divide, said Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) President Andrew Butcher Friday at the partially virtual Maine Broadband Summit. The state