PODCAST: Ripple Fiber’s Wilson on disrupting the broadband market with a super local approach

Ripple Fiber sees an opportunity to address America’s underinvestment in fiber broadband infrastructure. The company, founded by broadband entrepreneur Greg Wilson, views itself as a disruptor in the U.S. fiber broadband market.

In this latest episode, we talked with Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Ripple Fiber, a Charlotte-based independent fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) provider founded in 2021.

Greg leads the company's expansion, which aims to build 1.5 million new passings across 15 states over the next five years, following a 2025 merger with fellow fiber broadband provider Hyperfiber.

Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:

Opening | 0:00

Host's introduction of guests | 0:03

Ripple Fiber's emergence | 0:39
Wilson notes that underinvestment in the nation’s fiber networks has left the door open for disruptors like Ripple to deploy new broadband infrastructure.

The Ripple Fiber brand | 2:15
With a focus on optimism, the Ripple Fiber brand centers on how communities can create opportunities through fiber.

A local feel | 3:42
Unlike traditional cable operators and telcos, Ripple focuses on establishing a strong local presence in each market it serves. 

Working with communities | 5:14
How Ripple Fiber will engage with community leaders to understand their priorities.

Broadband competition | 6:59
Ripple Fiber is looking to be honest with its customers with straightforward pricing, no hidden costs and no bandwidth restrictions.

Cable’s response | 8:52
In the markets Ripple enters, the provider sees local cable operators upgrading their DOCSIS platforms and implementing enhanced retention strategies but not building out fiber-based broadband.

Ripple Fiber’s expansion strategy | 9:54
The company has created an advanced data set and algorithm to identify underserved and unserved broadband markets.

Broadband provider consolidation |12:04
Wilson predicts that 2026 will be a busy year for mergers and acquisitions in the fiber broadband market.

Fiber broadband speeds |12:51
Wilson notes that its fiber network supports 10 Gbps and that it will release a new 5 Gbps product soon.

Business services | 14:22
While Ripple Fiber has focused on residential customers, the service provider plans to launch a business-grade service soon.

Wholesale services | 16:06
Today, Ripple Fiber’s focus is on providing fiber broadband to homes and businesses, but Wilson said it has the network capability to address data centers, enterprises and wireless backhaul opportunities as they arise.

Convergence | 17:15
Ripple plans to keep its product set simple with a continual focus on providing high-speed fiber-based broadband services.

Fiber shortages | 17:38
While there have been reports of fiber shortages, Ripple Fiber maintains that, because it has already planned with its supplier, it does not foresee any issues.

Final thoughts | 18:44
Greg Wilson shares his final thoughts about Ripple Fiber’s disruptive approach to the fiber broadband market.