Broadband Development Conference

Brent Legg

Connected Nation, EVP, Government Affairs

Brent has primary responsibility for leading Connected Nation’s government affairs and public policy team, working with federal, state, and local officials to advance legislation and/or executive actions that will improve access to, and the quality of, broadband service and related technologies. Brent has more than ten years of experience working at the intersection of technology, politics, and public policy, and has provided expert testimony on broadband issues before the U.S. Congress and the legislatures of 12 states. Mr. Legg also has extensive experience working on education technology and school connectivity issues, and is a recognized expert on the federal E-rate program.

All Sessions by Brent Legg

8:00 am - 9:00 am
General Session Ballroom

The Goldilocks Build: Getting Infrastructure “Just Right”

Part 1: The Goldilocks Build: Getting Infrastructure “Just Right”
As broadband investments accelerate nationwide, the traditional “one-size-fits-all” deployment model is giving way to a more pragmatic, multi-purpose build strategy. This approach—grounded in a “Goldilocks” philosophy—focuses on designing infrastructure that is not overbuilt, not underbuilt, but right-sized to serve multiple community needs at once. By aligning fiber (and wireless) deployment with transportation corridors, vertical assets, CAIs, smart infrastructure, and resilience planning, states and providers can stretch every dollar further while delivering greater long-term value. Multi-purpose builds unlock efficiencies in permitting, construction, and maintenance, while also enabling use cases beyond connectivity, including public safety, grid modernization, and environmental monitoring.
 
Part 2 - Panel Discussion: Making It Real: Implementing Multi-Purpose Builds Across Sectors
This session will explore how leaders are operationalizing this shift, moving from single-purpose broadband projects to integrated infrastructure strategies that maximize return on investment and community impact. The discussion will highlight real-world examples, policy considerations, and funding alignment opportunities that make multi-purpose builds viable at scale. A follow-on panel featuring cross-sector experts will dive deeper into implementation challenges, partnership models, and lessons learned from the field & providing attendees with actionable insights to bring this & just right; approach to their own programs.