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Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation That Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom
Though it seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, the Bandwidth adventure was a multi-decade rollercoaster ride involving larger-than-life successes and devastating failures. The unbridled ambition of newly minted billionaires and high-profile tycoons created extraordinary value, unprecedented value destruction, and endless opportunities for a brave few.
This reflects tech’s past, present, and future—and is a story you won’t soon forget. Between the monumental breakup of AT&T, the largely unnoticed birth of the Internet, and the establishment of mobile communications and fiber optic networks, the early eighties were rife with upheaval. The collision of these four events ignited a revolution that would forever change how humankind worked, played, educated, and entertained. This boom was a time of insight, creativity, and courage accompanied by deception, fraud, and prison sentences. The pace of consolidation was fierce—but soon, the bubble burst, and the industry was met with ruin. Few could see that the stage was set for a glorious rebirth.
No one knows this boom-bust-rebirth cycle better than Dan Caruso, one of the changemakers who largely shaped the modern communications age. At the dawn of the digital revolution, he was about to embark on an adventure that would not only impact the course of his life for decades to come, but permanently change the very essence of how people relate to each other on a daily basis.
For the first time, Caruso pulls back the curtain in Bandwidth, a no-holds-barred memoir that celebrates the pioneers who invented the Internet’s early backbones, the renegades who lit the fiber revolution, the antics that caused it to all come crashing down, and the new wave of entrepreneurs who rose the industry back from its ashes.
With insights into the cyclical nature of innovation and the indomitable spirit of human ingenuity, Bandwidth is a powerful saga that shines a light on how history may be repeating itself as the AI, quantum, and blockchain Boom cycle is taking hold.
This reflects tech’s past, present, and future—and is a story you won’t soon forget. Between the monumental breakup of AT&T, the largely unnoticed birth of the Internet, and the establishment of mobile communications and fiber optic networks, the early eighties were rife with upheaval. The collision of these four events ignited a revolution that would forever change how humankind worked, played, educated, and entertained. This boom was a time of insight, creativity, and courage accompanied by deception, fraud, and prison sentences. The pace of consolidation was fierce—but soon, the bubble burst, and the industry was met with ruin. Few could see that the stage was set for a glorious rebirth.
No one knows this boom-bust-rebirth cycle better than Dan Caruso, one of the changemakers who largely shaped the modern communications age. At the dawn of the digital revolution, he was about to embark on an adventure that would not only impact the course of his life for decades to come, but permanently change the very essence of how people relate to each other on a daily basis.
For the first time, Caruso pulls back the curtain in Bandwidth, a no-holds-barred memoir that celebrates the pioneers who invented the Internet’s early backbones, the renegades who lit the fiber revolution, the antics that caused it to all come crashing down, and the new wave of entrepreneurs who rose the industry back from its ashes.
With insights into the cyclical nature of innovation and the indomitable spirit of human ingenuity, Bandwidth is a powerful saga that shines a light on how history may be repeating itself as the AI, quantum, and blockchain Boom cycle is taking hold.
- GenresUnfinishedTechnology
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
40 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 26, 2025
Great storytelling from a legend in the industry. It’s cool to see the lessons learned from challenges that continue to pop up.
January 10, 2026
Dan wants you to know how amazing his career was
March 21, 2025
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.
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.
January 20, 2025
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.
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.
June 24, 2025
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.
July 2, 2025
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.
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.
December 1, 2025
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.
May 28, 2025
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.
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.
December 25, 2025
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.
May 15, 2025
nice history in a somewhat self absorbed format
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews