The Builder Era: The AI Shift You Can’t Ignore

A New Era for Search: Google's AI Revolution

This week on Buffering, we are exploring Google's latest search transformation and what may be the biggest shift to search in more than 25 years. From the end of the ten blue links to AI powered answers, autonomous agents, and the rise of the synthetic consumer, the rules for how people discover information and interact online are changing in real time. As search evolves from finding information to delivering outcomes, businesses may need to rethink everything from content strategy to customer experience. Join Zack and Gabe as they break down the biggest announcements from Google I/O and what they mean for broadband providers and beyond. They discuss why SEO alone may no longer be enough, how AI agents could reshape customer interactions, why stale content is becoming a liability, and what happens when your next customer might not actually be human.

The Conversion Crisis: What Bad Websites Actually Cost

This week on Buffering, we are diving into the state of broadband websites in 2026 and asking a simple question: what is a bad website actually costing you? From outdated service pages and broken buyer flows to zombie pages, endless pricing tables, and mobile experiences that still feel stuck in 2014, Zack and Gabe unpack why so many providers are still losing customers before the sale even starts. They also explore how AI is completely reshaping the rules of web design, search, and conversion optimization, and why the old “refresh your website every few years” mindset no longer works. Join Zack and Gabe as they break down the hidden friction points killing conversions, debate the future of service tiers, and share practical ways providers can use AI to rapidly improve their websites without massive agency budgets. Along the way, they explore what it means to build websites for both humans and AI agents, why personalization matters more than ever, and how your website can either become your best salesperson or your most expensive liability.

Architecting Intelligence: A Long-Term Approach to AI in Telecom with Frank Ploumen

This week on Buffering, Gabe and Zack are joined by Frank Ploumen, SVP of Product Line Leadership at Calix, to unpack a growing risk in today’s AI race: “AI orphans.” As service providers accelerate experimentation, many are deploying isolated AI solutions that deliver short term wins but fail to scale, integrate, or sustain long term value. Frank shares why this pattern is emerging, how it mirrors past technology cycles like IoT, and what it means for the future of telecom. Join Frank, Gabe, and Zack as they explore how providers can move beyond fragmented point solutions toward cohesive, end to end AI strategies. From orchestration and governance to seamless customer experiences and click to buy journeys, this episode breaks down what it takes to design AI that actually drives business outcomes and avoids becoming tomorrow’s technical debt.

The ROI of Customer Experience: Turning Loyalty into Growth with Jon Picoult

This week on Buffering, we welcome back Jon Picoult, founder of Watermark Consulting and author of From Impressed to Obsessed, to break down the real business impact of customer experience. With nearly two decades of data from his firm’s Customer Experience ROI Study, Jon shares why companies that win on experience don’t just earn loyalty, they dramatically outperform the market. From a 7.8x return advantage over laggards to hundreds of percentage points of outperformance vs. the S&P 500, this episode unpacks why CX is no longer a “nice-to-have,” but a proven growth strategy. Join Jon, Gabe, and Zack as they explore what actually drives those results, how to convince skeptical leaders that CX pays off, and what it takes to evolve from a traditional service provider into a true experience-driven business. Plus, they discuss how these insights apply beyond public companies, especially for broadband providers looking to increase ARPU, reduce churn, and build lasting customer relationships.

The Satellite Threat: Amazon’s $11B Bet on Your Customers

This week on Buffering, we are talking about Amazon making their boldest move yet in the connectivity space with a $12 billion acquisition of Globalstar, and why communication service providers need to pay attention. Join Zack and Gabe as we discuss the “good enough” experience that’s winning over subscribers, the ease-of-purchase advantage tech giants have, and more as we explore why competing on specs alone is a losing game, and how CSPs can take action today to protect their markets and grow customer loyalty.