New ThoughtWaves Documentary Explores the Untold Story of the Brilliant Minds, Breakthroughs, and Politics of Human Connection

Film shares the untold story, through the lens of those that created the breakthroughs, of how the Internet and Fiber Broadband are unlocking America’s unlimited potential

Today at Fiber Connect 2025, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced an exclusive first look of a new documentary, ThoughtWaves. The film interviews the most pivotal figures who created and shaped the modern, digital economy. It explores a story that began over fifty years ago, highlighting the stories of the brilliant minds, visionaries, and thought leaders across the areas of broadband policy, innovation, and adoption. Most importantly, it underscores the original intent of these founders and creators as we, today, work to connect every community to reliable broadband and grant everyone access to unlimited possibilities and opportunities.

"ThoughtWaves is the story of how we connect everyone to a better future, in a world where access to the digital economy is synonymous with opportunity. To secure our nation’s success, it is necessary to invest in robust broadband infrastructure. Fiber is the only technology that can support the capacity needed today and the future of connectivity,” said Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association. “This is the story of the impact we are having on the communities and people we serve, a story that is just now being told, and we are excited to see how it continues to evolve as everyone is afforded the same access to opportunity and hope.”

The documentary traces the journey from the inception of the internet and the development of fiber optics to the current efforts aimed at bridging the digital divide. It showcases the conversations, conflicts, challenges, and brilliant minds that made closing the digital divide possible. It frames the critical role in ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and technological advancements means to everyone, everywhere. Viewers will enjoy insights from industry pioneers, policymakers, and technologists, including:

• Vint Cerf, “Father of the Internet” and VP and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google
• Laura Breeden, early internet activist, Founding Director of the Federation of American Research Networks (FARnet), Founding Director of the NTIA’s Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, and Co-Founder of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
• Jean Armour Polly, “Mother of the Internet,” early internet evangelist, known for her contributions welcoming nontechnical users to the internet and the first librarian to connect her library to the internet to provide community access
• Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
• Andy Berke, former Mayor of Chattanooga, the first Gig City
• Larry Irving, former head the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications Infrastructure Administration, key architect of internet policy including the 1996 Telecommunications Act to connect schools, first African American in the Internet Hall of Fame
• Dr. Karen Rheuban, Co-Founder and Director of the UVA Center for Telehealth
• Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer, Land-o-Lakes
• Blair Levin, former Chief of Staff for FCC Chairman Reed Hunt, Author of the National Broadband Plan
• The Honorable Juandiego Wade, Mayor of Charlottesville
• Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Director, Office of Broadband, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
• Kathryn de Wit, Project Director, Broadband Access Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Joseph Wender, former Director of the Capital Projects Fund at the U.S. Treasury Department
• Shane Seibel, Executive Director of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund
• Kirk Lougheed, Cisco Fellow
• Dr. Christopher Ali, Pioneers Chair, Professor of Telecommunications, Penn State University, Author of Farm Fresh Broadband

The documentary will have a private screening at Fiber Connect 2025 on June 2nd, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to engage with the film's themes and contributors. ThoughtWaves was developed in partnership with Cisco, Corning, Nokia, Bonfire, EPB, and GFiber. For more information about ThoughtWaves and to view trailers, visit www.thoughtwavesfilm.com.

About the Fiber Broadband Association

The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policymakers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org.

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