Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation That Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom

by Dan Caruso

Though it seemed to occur in a split second, the Bandwidth story was an up-and-down ride over decades with massive successes and devastating failures. The unquenchable ambition of a new class of billionaires and tycoons led to incredible value, unprecedented value destruction, and limitless opportunities for a courageous few.

This reflects tech’s past, present, and future—and is a tale you won’t want to let go. Amid the cataclysmic breakup of AT&T, the mostly unnoticed birth of the Internet, and the creation of mobile communications and fiber optic networks, the early eighties were full of disruption. The collision of these four events sparked a revolution that would forever transform how humankind worked, played, educated, and entertained. This boom was a time of insight, creativity, and courage alongside deception, fraud, and prison terms. The pace of consolidation was intense —but soon, the bubble burst, and the industry was in ruins. Few could recognize that the stage was set for a glorious rebirth.

No one knows this boom-bust-rebirth cycle with better clarity than Dan Caruso, one of the changemakers who was a key figure in shaping the modern communications age. At the outset of the digital revolution, he was about to begin a journey that would not just impact his life for many years to come, but forever change the basis of how we relate to each other on a regular basis.

For the first time, Caruso opens the curtain in Bandwidth, a no-holds-barred memoir that recognizes the pioneers who invented the Internet’s early backbones, the renegades who lit the fiber revolution, the choices that caused it to all come crumbling down, and the new wave of entrepreneurs who rose the industry back from the ashes.

With insider views into the cyclical nature of innovation and the intrepid spirit of human ingenuity, Bandwidth is a powerful saga that reveals how history may be repeating itself as the AI, quantum, and blockchain Boom cycle ascend.

Genres: Unfinished, Technology

504 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Erik Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling from a legend in the industry. It’s cool to see the lessons learned from challenges that continue to pop up.

[James M. Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a telecom industry veteran myself, I was looking forward to the release of this book and perhaps a trip down memory lane.
The first half of the book was exactly what I was expecting, lots of names and companies are discussed and their part in the telecom boom and bust of the late '90's and early 2000's. Since I was part of it, my memory was refreshed and I caught myself saying "Oh yeah, I forgot about that" or "I remember him, I wonder whatever happened to him" and Dan Caruso provided that information.
Dan is integral to so many pieces of the telecom puzzle so he offers a unique perspective on all the wheeling and dealing. He was able to point out what went right and wrong for so many companies that came into the telecom world like lions and left like lambs (to slaughter for most of them).

My favorite part of the book was the second half, where Dan discusses building his company, how it started, and all the acquisitions he made along the way, up until the acquirer became the acquired. The pace of the book really picks up in this half and starts to read like a Grisham novel as CEO's, investors, and their staffs race to the finish line to push their acquisitions through and beat the competition, sometimes by just a few hours.
This book does not have to be read by telecom workers only, everyone will be interested to know where all the Bandwidth came from, and Dan gives a great explanation of it.

[Jennifer Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bandwidth by Dan Caruso is a captivating and insightful journey through the history of modern telecommunications, vividly illustrating the ambition, innovation, and resilience that shaped the Internet age. Caruso, an industry insider, skillfully chronicles the rise, fall, and rebirth of the bandwidth industry, weaving personal anecdotes with the dramatic saga of key players, from ambitious entrepreneurs to larger-than-life tycoons.

The book excels in presenting the complexities of the dot-com boom and bust while making the intricate world of fiber optics, telecommunications, and high-stakes mergers accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Caruso’s unique perspective as a pivotal figure in the industry adds depth to this narrative, giving readers a firsthand look at the triumphs, failures, and lessons learned during this transformative era.

What sets Bandwidth apart is its dual role as both an engaging memoir and a roadmap for navigating cycles of innovation and disruption. It not only celebrates past achievements but also inspires leaders tackling the frontiers of AI, quantum technology, and more.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business professional, or simply a fan of gripping true stories, Bandwidth is a must-read. Its powerful storytelling and profound insights will resonate long after the final page.

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for telecom, digital infra investors. The story of Dan Caruso's rich career includes failure, luck, hard work, and grit. Great overview of how the modern internet industry and infrastructure was developed, including who failed along the way and who has survived so far. Today's consolidated industry obfuscates the fragmented and choppy history that really occurred. Lots of failures, lots of success. Also paints some views on where we are headed. As Dan admits, he's always operated with a chip on his shoulder, and that comes across in his writing. But makes for a more enjoyable read.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of a power player in the network infrastructure wars who never made a mistake in any of his business dealings, as told by the author himself.

An incredibly dry book that goes into endless details of the people and the deals made around the network infrastructure wars of the 1990s and 2000s. A few names stand out like Warren Buffett, but mostly it's people and companies you've never heard of, making hundreds of deals between each other. Occasionally there's an interesting white-collar crime committed, but mostly it's just endless details of stocks and mergers.

[September Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bandwidth is a fascinating journey through the rise, fall, and rebirth of the Internet age. Dan Caruso offers an insider’s perspective on the dot-com boom, weaving ambition, innovation, and human ingenuity into a compelling narrative. His memoir not only chronicles the technological and business upheavals of the era but also provides valuable lessons on resilience, risk, and the cyclical nature of innovation. Perfect for anyone interested in tech history, entrepreneurship, or the forces shaping the digital world.

[Mark H Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, so THAT’S what happened

A great summary of the happenings around the turn of the century in the optical and CLEC markets. It was hard to keep up with all the bankruptcies and M&A.
For me, it was a bit of a walk down memory lane.
The book reinforced my opinion that most of these “titans of industry” know little (and care less) about actually RUNNING a company. When I was interacting with many of them, it seemed neither did many of their employees.

[Daniel Rosanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an awesome detailed view of an industry that reshaped the world we live in. And Dan was there. He provides the insiders view of the most significant technological change of the last 100 years. One that AI is only an extension of.

[Kevin Grossman · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice history in a somewhat self absorbed format