Episode 439: Heather Gold Talks BEAD, Fiber Strategy, and the Path Forward

The Broadband Bunch

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine welcomes back a true pioneer in the broadband space—Heather Gold, Principal at HBG Strategies and former President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association. With a career spanning over 40 years across XO Communications, Sprint, ALTS, NTS, and more, Heather shares unparalleled insights into the evolution of broadband, the regulatory landscape, and the current fiber deployment challenges facing the industry. Recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025, Heather reflects on her time at the helm of the FBA, the genesis of Women in Fiber, and key takeaways from the recent NTIA guidance and its impact on BEAD funding and rural broadband deployment. She also discusses the long-term ROI of fiber over alternative technologies like fixed wireless and LEO satellites, leadership lessons from her executive roles, and her advocacy journey from financial analyst to industry thought leader. From policy shifts to permitting bottlenecks and workforce gaps, this episode is packed with actionable insights, historical perspective, and candid advice—especially for emerging professionals in the telecom space.