The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by intelegrate and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Denise Manka, Vice President of Business Development at MP Nexlevel, to discuss the company’s legacy in telecom construction, the ever-changing broadband landscape, and the need for infrastructure preparedness in an AI-powered world.
Denise shares her unconventional journey from the housing and construction industry into broadband infrastructure. Her passion for building things from the ground up—both figuratively and literally—has followed her throughout her career. After a brief stint in nursing and a long history in construction materials, Denise found her way into telecom construction through relationships and entrepreneurial drive. That path ultimately led her to MP Nexlevel, a company whose culture and reputation were a natural fit.
While MP Nexlevel has been in business for over 50 years and operates in more than 30 states, Denise explains that the company hasn’t historically focused on branding or visibility. That’s changing now. 2025 marks the first year MP Nexlevel has exhibited at Fiber Connect, and the goal is clear: increase national awareness of the company’s wide-ranging capabilities, from fiber builds to utility services and hyperscaler infrastructure.
While many in the broadband industry are anxiously waiting on BEAD funding, Denise offers a refreshing perspective. “I don’t feel the uncertainty,” she says. MP Nexlevel is already deeply engaged with engineering firms conducting feasibility studies—a strong indicator that builds are moving forward regardless of federal funding timelines. She encourages listeners to look beyond BEAD and examine the significant broadband investments already happening at the state level.
“There’s so much other funding out there. If the government doesn’t fund it—build it anyway.”
Denise makes a case that the U.S. is already two years behind in building the infrastructure needed to support AI. She urges providers to stop constructing for today’s demand and start planning for the next 10–20 years. The private sector—particularly hyperscalers—is already investing in transport and metro ring builds, signaling a shift in capital from fiber-to-the-home to the core infrastructure that will underpin the next wave of digital transformation.
One of the most innovative ideas Denise brings to the conversation is the concept of a broadband emergency response plan. Inspired by recent natural disasters and infrastructure failures, MP Nexlevel is working on a tangible, scalable disaster readiness plan for telecom. The goal? Equip providers with a playbook they can activate in times of crisis—whether it’s a hurricane, flood, or wildfire. She hopes to unveil the initiative at Mountain Connect later this year.
Denise doesn’t shy away from addressing what she sees as contradictions in the digital equity conversation. “If you’re going to talk about digital equity, put your money where your mouth is,” she says, calling on providers and policymakers to invest proactively rather than waiting on subsidies. She also points to permitting delays as a key bottleneck in network expansion and argues for more streamlined public policy at local and national levels.
While Denise personally uses Starlink at her rural home, she’s clear-eyed about its limitations. Satellite and fixed wireless may play a role in certain scenarios—like disaster recovery—but they’re not long-term solutions for bandwidth-intensive applications like AI, gaming, or telehealth. “We need fiber builds,” she insists.
As 2025 continues, MP Nexlevel is pursuing major projects, large-scale bids, and stronger presence at national telecom events. Denise’s enthusiasm for the future is contagious, especially when talking about evolving the broadband conversation beyond capacity to resilience, scalability, and preparedness.
“This whole planet—and everything above it—is going to be running on digital infrastructure. We’re just getting started.”
© 2025 Enhanced Telecommunications.
