Fixing problems with broadband permitting has long been a goal of the telecom industry. But the need for broad reforms has been highlighted in recent years, particularly with the creation of the $42 billion BEAD program, which will soon inject roughly $21 billion into broadband deployment, giving providers four years to complete their builds.In this episode, we hear from three ISP leaders – Pamela Sherwood, VP of the regulatory, compliance and broadband office at Brightspeed; Jessica Epley, VP of regulatory and external affairs, Ziply Fiber; and Brad Welch, COO, CentraCom, and mayor of Fairview, Utah – about the biggest barriers to obtaining permits for fiber broadband deployment projects and what can be done about it.Release date: 5/7/2026Show notes: https://www.lightreading.com/fttx/the-divide-how-permitting-problems-delay-broadband-builds