FiberConnect 2024, held at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN, brought together 235 exhibitors and over 4,700 attendees, solidifying its reputation as a premier event in the fiber optics industry. This year’s conference was not only a showcase of the latest advancements and deployment strategies in fiber optics but also a look ahead at ground-breaking technologies and events that are sure to shape the landscape of telecommunications worldwide.
The event, hosted by the Fiber Broadband Association provided a venue to connect with current customers as well as some prospects working on bridging the digital divide. The Association’s Mission is to accelerate the deployment of fiber broadband networks to ensure digital equity and enable every community to leverage economic and societal benefits that only Fiber can offer.
In an industry where relationships and timing are everything, the in-person interactions at FiberConnect proved invaluable.
While we were there, our major discussions were with:
- Network Operators
Network operators own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as fiber, towers, and data centers. - Network Equipment Manufacturers
Equipment manufacturers produce hardware and software for network maintenance. - Infrastructure Providers
Companies that build the infrastructure - Distributors
Sell products on behalf of manufacturers.
Key Themes:
A major focus of the discussions was BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funding, which is crucial for the widespread deployment of fiber networks across the U.S. The running joke throughout the tradeshow floor at FiberConnect 2024 …BEAD more like BEEN waiting!
BEAD funding is critical to deploying Fiber in the US, it’s been earmarked for award for quite some time now, and everyone seems to be in a holding pattern that is about to explode in infrastructure development as early as Q4 of this year. People want to know who is looking, who is applying, who is being awarded what, how much, and when. Even as initial states like Louisiana who began rolling out their plan through their state-run G.U.M.B.O. program, love that name, more questions came about than answers.
While the heavy appetite for Nashville’s Hot Chicken was ever-present (the spirit is willing, the body not so much), there was an even bigger craving for Early-Stage Sale Intelligence in public broadband infrastructure. Companies were very interested in the prospect of learning about projects early, eliminating the current practice of reacting to bids.
Many of my discussions revolved around leveraging pre-RFP data to optimize public sector engagement. Early-Stage Sales Intelligence is a game changer when companies want to sift through the noise to find their ideal projects.
Major Pain Points:
- High Cost of Infrastructure
Fiber deployment-requires significant upfront investments in laying cables, installing equipment, and constructing network infrastructure. making It financially challenging. especially in rural and underserved areas - Regulatory Barriers
Navigating the complex web of regulations, permits, and approvals from various government agencies can slow down the fiber deployment process and Increase the overall costs - Deployment Challenges in Rural Areas
Deploying fiber in remote, sparsely populated regions can be logistically complex and expensive due to the need for extensive civil works, right-of- way access, and limited existing infrastructure. - Lack of Coordination and Collaboration
Insufficient coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, such as service providers, local authorities, and utility companies, can lead to delays, inefficiencies, and duplication of efforts.
Addressing these major pain points through innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and regulatory reform will be crucial for accelerating the deployment of fiber infrastructure and ensuring its widespread accessibility.
As the industry braces for the impact of BEAD funding it’s crucial to know which projects are going to be the most fruitful. Check out our product demo to find out more about what Citylitics can do to help you find the best early-stage data.