Broadband Development Conference
Comcast, SVP of Network Operations
Tony Speller is Senior Vice President of Network Operations for Comcast’s Connectivity & Platforms business. In this role, he leads the deployment of the company’s network operations strategy across the company’s 40-state footprint, with responsibility for ensuring network reliability, performance and seamless service delivery for residents and businesses.
Starting as a technician, Speller has more than 35 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He has held numerous senior-level technology and operations roles across various geographies and is widely recognized for his commitment to innovation, talent development and mentorship.
Most recently, Speller served as Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and Engineering where he oversaw large-scale network infrastructure, operational performance and the deployment of next-generation technologies across 17 states – all with a focus on delivering a high-quality experience for customers.
Speller has received multiple industry and community honors, including recognition as a Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers “Cable TV Pioneer” and as a recent recipient of the NAMIC Leader in Technology Award. He remains actively involved in civic and community initiatives, reflecting his ongoing commitment to leadership, service, and giving back beyond the workplace.
A dynamic discussion among state broadband officials about multiple broadband programs (BEAD, CPF, SLFRF and RDOF) converging 2026 deadlines and the collaboration required to overcome the barriers to deployment ensuring the promise of universal broadband is finally delivered.
We will discuss BEAD’s broad bipartisan support with potential to be a major win for federal, state, and local governments. Specifically, we will explore the opportunities at the local level for BEAD, and some of the challenges that still need addressing.
Federal, state, and local governments have varying authorities and roles to address barriers to BEAD deployment. We plan to examine the unique role state broadband offices can play in helping overcome obstacles related to permitting, poles, and easements.
This panel will cover:
Permitting - Permitting challenges impacting network expansion across the country. We will discuss concrete steps state and local governments can take to reduce permitting delays, and which broadband ready practices states have already taken and those outcomes.
Pole Attachments - We wil also include questions about how states should balance pole replacement funding, utility responsibility, and fair cost distribution, and what innovations in undergrounding or grid modernization can accelerate BEAD builds.
Easements and Rights of Way - Included discussion around how states can clarify or modernize antiquated easement laws to support rural buildout, and where federal and state authorities need tighter coordination.
