ACA Connects and NCTC leaders weigh in on emerging cable broadband trends

In this episode, we talked with two key cable industry veterans about emerging trends--Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC and Grant Spellmeyer, president and CEO of ACA Connects. 

Key Moments in This Episode

Opening

0:06 Introduction of guests Lightwave Editor in Chief Sean Buckley introduces Broadband Pulse’s latest guests--Lou Borelli, CEO of NCTC and Grant Spellmeyer, ACA Connects president and CEO.

The state of the independent cable operator market. 1:02 Lou Borrelli shares his perspective 2:15 Grant Spellmeyer gives his perspective

3:47 Highlights of the recent 2025 Independent Show. 4:13 Lou Borrelli discusses opportunities its members can use to expand and grow. 5:34 Grant Spellmeyer addresses the value of member-to-member interaction.

7:15 The influence of the Brendan Carr-led FCC. 7:37 Grant Spellmeyer talks about how the new FCC removes private sector investment uncertainty. 8:32 Lou Borrelli sees the opportunity to reduce regulatory burdens.

9:32 Fiber broadband trends 10:06 Lou Borrelli notes how NCTC’s members are aggressively rolling out fiber broadband. 11:45 Grant Spellmeyer says ACA Connect’s members are delivering competition to others. 12:10 The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program situation. 12:35 Grant Spellmeyer addresses changes to the BEAD program requirements. 14:24 Lou Borrelli expresses support for ACA Connect’s policy efforts in Washington, DC. 14:58 AI technology 15:25 Lou Borrelli discusses its new AI Center of Excellence. 17:22 Grant Spellmeyer looks at AI regulations.

18:22 Streaming and convergence 18:48 Lou Borrelli talks about how the video industry is evolving. 20:44 Grant Spellmeyer addresses how providers are adapting.

21:35 Final thoughts 21:22 Grant Spellmeyer gives his roundup. 22:06 Lou Borrelli touts the power of independent telcos and cable operators.

22:34 Wrap/Outro

Meet our guests:

Lou Borelli, CEO of NCTC A 40-plus-year cable television industry veteran, Lou Borrelli was named NCTC’s CEO in 2021. Before joining NCTC, Borrelli served as the CEO of Home and Entertainment for Digicel Group, which provides mobile phone, cable, and broadband services to 27 countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. He was responsible for cable and broadband strategy, policy, operations, content strategy and distribution rights for Digicel's sports and entertainment networks. Having owned and operated cable systems in second and third-tier markets, Borrelli has plenty of experience in the independent cable industry segment with an extensive understanding of the challenges facing operators of all sizes in today's competitive landscape. A founding partner of Marcus Cable, Borrelli and his colleagues were recognized as Cable Operator of the Year in 1998, and he was inducted into the Cable Pioneers in 2002.

Grant Spellmeyer, ACA Connects president and CEO Grant Spellmeyer oversees the daily operations and affairs of America's Communications Association (ACA Connects). Grant joined ACAC in 2022. Before coming to ACAC, he was VP of government affairs for US Cellular, where his primary duties included directing the federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts across the company’s 21-state operating territory on all policy matters. He joined U.S. Cellular in 2006 from ACA Connects Member company TDS Telecommunications.  As part of the TDS enterprise, Grant served in a variety of wireless and wireline legal and regulatory roles for more than 20 years.  Before that, Grant was an attorney in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin. Spellmeyer is a 1988 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, he holds an M.A. in public policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School.  He also has an MBA from Northwestern University. 

About the Podcast  In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.