2024 Showcase
Welcome to our Fiber Connect 2024 Video Showcase! The conference is organized by our friends at Fiber Broadband Association. We captured video snippets from thought leaders here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Check out their videos and get an in-depth view of the leading optical fiber business technology event.
BTW, support us at NextGenInfra by grabbing our latest research brief — available right on this page.
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting our site!
2024 Fiber Connect
Welcome to our Fiber Connect 2024 Video Showcase! The conference is organized by our friends at Fiber Broadband Association. We captured video snippets from thought leaders here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Check out their videos and get an in-depth view of the leading optical fiber business technology event.
BTW, support us at NextGenInfra by grabbing our latest research brief — available right on this page.
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting our site!
Sponsor Spotlight Actifai
AI-Powered Broadband Sales
Joel Silverman, Chief Customer Officer at Actifai, explains how the company uses AI to enhance broadband sales and customer experiences for fiber companies. Actifai's AI-driven approach compares customer data with previous buyers to recommend suitable products and services, leading to improved outcomes for both companies and customers.
Sponsor Spotlight Adtran
Core to Edge Network Performance Evolution
Robert Conger, SVP of Technology and Strategy at Adtran, explores advancements in fiber technology across the network, including the transition to multi-gig speeds in the access network and the implementation of intelligent monitoring systems. Conger highlights the industry's shift from focusing solely on speed increases to improving network operability and enhancing user experience through technologies like fiber monitoring and cloud-based analytics.
Sponsor Spotlight Clearfield
Innovative Tools for Faster Fiber Rollouts
Cheri Beranek, President and CEO of Clearfield, discusses the company's focus on fiber technology and innovative tools like its "Built" app to improve broadband deployment. Clearfield aims to reduce operational costs in network construction through new products that simplify labor requirements.
Sponsor Spotlight Clearfield
Accelerating Fiber Installer Productivity by 50%
Kevin Morgan, Chief Marketing Officer at Clearfield, discusses the company's emphasis on developing user-friendly field engineering products for fiber network installations. Morgan introduces Clearfield's latest innovation, the Deploy Real Tap Box, which aims to reduce installation time and increase installer productivity, showcasing the company's commitment to accelerating fiber deployment and improving connection efficiency.
Sponsor Spotlight Condor Technologies
Open Networks are the Key
Alberto Patron, CEO of Condor Technologies, advocates for open networks at Fiber Connect, emphasizing their importance for sustainable fiber network growth and cost-effective multi-operator sharing. Condor Technologies offers solutions for operators to open and manage networks for various ISPs, showcasing their Host Network Portal solution integrated with Nokia's Altiplano using standard protocols defined by the Broadband Forum.
Sponsor Spotlight Connect2 Communications
Accelerating the Fiber Future for All
Rich Williams, CEO of Connect2 Communications and content director for Fiber Connect, highlights the industry's collaborative efforts to address current challenges and advance fiber connectivity. Williams emphasizes the shared commitment among federal speakers, service providers, vendors, and technologists to work together in ensuring universal access to fiber-based connections.
Sponsor Spotlight DC Blox
Lessons from Hyperscalers
Bill Thomson, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for DC Blox, outlines the company's strategy to expand data center and fiber network infrastructure in the southeastern United States. Thomson highlights DC Blox's efforts to build dark fiber capacity, following the example set by hyperscalers, to meet the growing demand for improved connectivity and bring infrastructure closer to end users.
Sponsor Spotlight DZS
Innovation for Challenging Fiber Installations
Geoff Burke, Chief Marketing Officer at DZS, outlines the company's strategy to accelerate fiber deployment through complementary technologies like G.fast and MG-fast for challenging environments. He also introduces DZS's new DWDM coherent optics services, designed to enhance middle-mile infrastructure and deliver high-speed connectivity to the network edge.
Sponsor Spotlight Fiber Broadband Association
Key Priorities for Accelerating the Fiber Future
Gary Bolton, President of the Fiber Broadband Association, outlines five key priorities for advancing the fiber future at Fiber Connect 2024. Bolton highlights the importance of fiber infrastructure, accelerated deployment, network protection, workforce development, and universal adoption while inviting attendees to the next Fiber Connect event in Nashville.
Sponsor Spotlight Fiber Forward Magazine
Fiber Shaping the Future
Doug Mohney, Editor-in-Chief of Fiber Forward Magazine, recounts his experience at Fiber Connect 2024 in Nashville, describing it as an action-packed event with hundreds of vendors, dozens of sessions, and interactions with service providers building future networks. Mohney notes the event's significant size, with over 5,000 attendees, and anticipates continued growth as funding flows into fiber projects.
Sponsor Spotlight Fiberstory
The Fiber Journey to Global Connectivity
Larry Johnson, President of Fiberstory, explores the evolution of fiber optic technology since 1977, highlighting its progress in enabling high-speed internet communication worldwide. Johnson discusses the industry's resilience, ongoing construction efforts, and the technology's benefits, including low latency and future-proofing capabilities, while expressing optimism for fiber optics' continued advancements.
Sponsor Spotlight Genexis
10-Second ONT Installation for Fiber Rollouts
Kajsa Arvidsson, Chief Marketing Officer of Genexis, highlights the company's focus on enhancing life through broadband connectivity and their expertise in smart fiber installation for homes. Genexis offers rapidly installable ONTs compatible with any OLT, designed for ease of use and comprehensive home connectivity, aligning with their mission to seamlessly connect every household to fiber broadband.
Sponsor Spotlight HNM Systems
Building the Best Teams for Fiber Broadband
Heather Moyer, President, CEO & Founder of HNM Systems, leads a tech-enabled consulting and staffing firm specializing in wireless, wireline networking, utility construction, and IT verticals. HNM Systems partners with FBA to connect talent with industry needs, focusing on workforce development strategies, grant funding, and approvals.
Sponsor Spotlight Nex-Tech
Fiber's Role in Connecting Rural America
Jimmy Todd, CEO of Nex-Tech and chairman of the Fiber Broadband Association, emphasizes the critical role of fiber infrastructure in connecting rural communities and addressing the digital divide.
Sponsor Spotlight Nokia
Fiber's Access Future from 10G to 100G
Stefaan Vanhastel, Head of Marketing & Innovation at Nokia, discusses the enduring nature of fiber infrastructure and its progression through various speed tiers, from the current 10 Gig era to future 100 Gig capabilities. He emphasizes how Nokia's investments in proprietary chipset technology have facilitated trials of higher-speed fiber networks with partners like Google and Frontier, expanding connectivity options for diverse applications beyond residential use.
Sponsor Spotlight Render Networks
4 Ingredients for Faster Fiber Network Deployment
Sam Pratt, CEO of Render Networks, outlines four crucial elements for advancing fiber network deployment at Fiber Connect 2024. These components include streamlined field adoption, well-defined construction scope, real-time insights, and digital documentation, which Pratt claims can accelerate network buildouts by at least 15%.
Sponsor Spotlight RouteThis
AI-Powered Home Wi-Fi Support
Jason Moore, Co-founder and CEO of RouteThis, discusses how his company is advancing the fiber future by helping service providers deliver a seamless fiber experience to all devices within consumers' homes. RouteThis leverages generative AI to empower frontline teams, automating tasks like issue diagnosis and Wi-Fi environment analysis, enabling more efficient network deployment and enhanced customer experiences across all end devices.
Sponsor Spotlight RouteThis
Fiber Rollouts and the Customer Experience
Jenni Dettman, VP of Marketing at RouteThis, emphasizes the critical importance of customer experience in driving the future of fiber networks. RouteThis aims to accelerate the fiber future by enabling service providers to deliver an optimal customer experience from day one, regardless of network build or CPE choices.
Sponsor Spotlight Tak Communications
Three Key Factors for Accelerating Fiber Rollouts
Heather B. Gold, VP of External Affairs at Tak Communications, highlights three key factors to accelerate the fiber future: simplifying regulations, addressing financial requirements, and choosing experienced partners. Gold emphasizes the importance of partnering with reputable vendors and leveraging resources from medium to large companies to support local construction efforts.
Sponsor Spotlight Tak Communications
Balancing Competition and Cooperation
Trent Edwards, President of Broadband Solutions at Tak Communications, views the current industry landscape as an opportunity and emphasizes the importance of collaboration, coining the term "cooperati" to describe the balance between competition and cooperation. Edwards identifies workforce development as the primary challenge, stressing the need to engage younger generations in the industry while expressing enthusiasm for upcoming projects.
Sponsor Spotlight Tejas Networks
Simplifying Telecom Networks with Tejas
Jeff Babbitt, Solution Architect at Tejas Networks, addresses the growing complexity of telecom networks and presents a strategy to streamline operations by reducing vendor and management system count. Drawing on Tejas Networks' extensive experience and comprehensive product portfolio, Babbitt encourages interested parties to reach out for discussions on simplifying network architectures and boosting operational efficiency.
Sponsor Spotlight TransUnion
Streamlining Fiber Network Sales
John Carr, VP of Business Development at TransUnion, explores the intricacies of fiber network construction and sales, emphasizing TransUnion's proficiency in order management to streamline fiber promotion and delivery. TransUnion's Universal Order Connect system and Order Insights application offer automation and customization, enhancing the efficiency of fiber deployment processes and improving customer experience.
Sponsor Spotlight Velox
Building Fiber Networks with Quality and Precision
Tom Counts, CEO of Velox, highlights the company's commitment to delivering peace of mind through top-quality fiber networks built by the industry's best talent. Velox's growth strategy involves expanding its workforce and implementing rigorous training processes to meet the demand while maintaining high standards of quality, precision, and safety.
Sponsor Spotlight Velox
Building Fiber Networks with Quality and Precision
Tom Counts, CEO of Velox, highlights the company's commitment to delivering peace of mind through top-quality fiber networks built by the industry's best talent. Velox's growth strategy involves expanding its workforce and implementing rigorous training processes to meet the demand while maintaining high standards of quality, precision, and safety.
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Highlights from industry thought leaders
Video interviews
AI-Powered Broadband Sales
- Actifai uses AI to enhance broadband sales and customer experience for fiber companies.
- Its AI compares customer data against previous buyers to recommend suitable products and services.
Abstract
Joel Silverman, Chief Customer Officer at Actifai, explains how the company uses AI to enhance broadband sales and customer experiences for fiber companies. Actifai's AI-driven approach compares customer data with previous buyers to recommend suitable products and services, leading to improved outcomes for both companies and customers.
Core to Edge Network Performance Evolution
- Adtran sees the access network moving to multi-gig speeds with intelligent monitoring systems.
- Focus is shifting from raw speed to network operability and user experience via fiber monitoring and cloud analytics.
Abstract
Robert Conger, SVP of Technology and Strategy at Adtran, explores advancements in fiber technology across the network, including the transition to multi-gig speeds in the access network and the implementation of intelligent monitoring systems. Conger highlights the industry's shift from focusing solely on speed increases to improving network operability and enhancing user experience through technologies like fiber monitoring and cloud-based analytics.
Innovative Tools for Faster Fiber Rollouts
- Clearfield's "Built" app aims to improve broadband deployment.
- New products target reduced operational costs and simplified labor in network construction.
Abstract
Cheri Beranek, President and CEO of Clearfield, discusses the company's focus on fiber technology and innovative tools like its "Built" app to improve broadband deployment. Clearfield aims to reduce operational costs in network construction through new products that simplify labor requirements.
Accelerating Fiber Installer Productivity by 50%
- Clearfield's Deploy Real Tap Box aims to cut installation time and increase installer productivity.
- The company emphasizes user-friendly field engineering products for fiber installations.
Abstract
Kevin Morgan, Chief Marketing Officer at Clearfield, discusses the company's emphasis on developing user-friendly field engineering products for fiber network installations. Morgan introduces Clearfield's latest innovation, the Deploy Real Tap Box, which aims to reduce installation time and increase installer productivity, showcasing the company's commitment to accelerating fiber deployment and improving connection efficiency.
Open Networks are the Key
- Condor Technologies advocates open networks for sustainable growth and cost-effective multi-operator sharing.
- Its Host Network Portal integrates with Nokia's Altiplano using Broadband Forum standard protocols.
Abstract
Alberto Patron, CEO of Condor Technologies, advocates for open networks at Fiber Connect, emphasizing their importance for sustainable fiber network growth and cost-effective multi-operator sharing. Condor Technologies offers solutions for operators to open and manage networks for various ISPs, showcasing their Host Network Portal solution integrated with Nokia's Altiplano using standard protocols defined by the Broadband Forum.
Accelerating the Fiber Future for All
- Connect2's Rich Williams highlights collaboration among federal speakers, providers, vendors, and technologists.
- The shared goal is ensuring universal access to fiber-based connections.
Abstract
Rich Williams, CEO of Connect2 Communications and content director for Fiber Connect, highlights the industry's collaborative efforts to address current challenges and advance fiber connectivity. Williams emphasizes the shared commitment among federal speakers, service providers, vendors, and technologists to work together in ensuring universal access to fiber-based connections.
Lessons from Hyperscalers
- DC Blox is expanding data center and fiber network infrastructure across the southeastern United States.
- It builds dark fiber capacity, following hyperscalers, to bring infrastructure closer to end users.
Abstract
Bill Thomson, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for DC Blox, outlines the company's strategy to expand data center and fiber network infrastructure in the southeastern United States. Thomson highlights DC Blox's efforts to build dark fiber capacity, following the example set by hyperscalers, to meet the growing demand for improved connectivity and bring infrastructure closer to end users.
Innovation for Challenging Fiber Installations
- DZS uses G.fast and MG-fast to accelerate deployment in challenging environments.
- New DWDM coherent optics services target middle-mile infrastructure and high-speed edge connectivity.
Abstract
Geoff Burke, Chief Marketing Officer at DZS, outlines the company's strategy to accelerate fiber deployment through complementary technologies like G.fast and MG-fast for challenging environments. He also introduces DZS's new DWDM coherent optics services, designed to enhance middle-mile infrastructure and deliver high-speed connectivity to the network edge.
Key Priorities for Accelerating the Fiber Future
- Gary Bolton outlines five FBA priorities: infrastructure, accelerated deployment, network protection, workforce development, and universal adoption.
Abstract
Gary Bolton, President of the Fiber Broadband Association, outlines five key priorities for advancing the fiber future at Fiber Connect 2024. Bolton highlights the importance of fiber infrastructure, accelerated deployment, network protection, workforce development, and universal adoption while inviting attendees to the next Fiber Connect event in Nashville.
Fiber Shaping the Future
- Fiber Connect 2024 in Nashville drew over 5,000 attendees with hundreds of vendors and dozens of sessions.
- Doug Mohney anticipates continued growth as funding flows into fiber projects.
Abstract
Doug Mohney, Editor-in-Chief of Fiber Forward Magazine, recounts his experience at Fiber Connect 2024 in Nashville, describing it as an action-packed event with hundreds of vendors, dozens of sessions, and interactions with service providers building future networks. Mohney notes the event's significant size, with over 5,000 attendees, and anticipates continued growth as funding flows into fiber projects.
The Fiber Journey to Global Connectivity
- Larry Johnson traces fiber optic evolution since 1977 in enabling worldwide high-speed internet.
- He highlights fiber's low latency and future-proofing benefits.
Abstract
Larry Johnson, President of Fiberstory, explores the evolution of fiber optic technology since 1977, highlighting its progress in enabling high-speed internet communication worldwide. Johnson discusses the industry's resilience, ongoing construction efforts, and the technology's benefits, including low latency and future-proofing capabilities, while expressing optimism for fiber optics' continued advancements.
10-Second ONT Installation for Fiber Rollouts
- Genexis offers rapidly installable ONTs compatible with any OLT for smart home fiber connectivity.
- The focus is ease of use and seamlessly connecting every household to fiber broadband.
Abstract
Kajsa Arvidsson, Chief Marketing Officer of Genexis, highlights the company's focus on enhancing life through broadband connectivity and their expertise in smart fiber installation for homes. Genexis offers rapidly installable ONTs compatible with any OLT, designed for ease of use and comprehensive home connectivity, aligning with their mission to seamlessly connect every household to fiber broadband.
Building the Best Teams for Fiber Broadband
- HNM Systems is a tech-enabled consulting and staffing firm for wireless, wireline, utility construction, and IT.
- It partners with the FBA on workforce development, grant funding, and approvals.
Abstract
Heather Moyer, President, CEO & Founder of HNM Systems, leads a tech-enabled consulting and staffing firm specializing in wireless, wireline networking, utility construction, and IT verticals. HNM Systems partners with FBA to connect talent with industry needs, focusing on workforce development strategies, grant funding, and approvals.
Fiber's Role in Connecting Rural America
- Nex-Tech's Jimmy Todd stresses fiber's critical role in connecting rural communities and closing the digital divide.
Abstract
Jimmy Todd, CEO of Nex-Tech and chairman of the Fiber Broadband Association, emphasizes the critical role of fiber infrastructure in connecting rural communities and addressing the digital divide.
Fiber's Access Future from 10G to 100G
- Nokia sees fiber progressing from the current 10 Gig era toward future 100 Gig capabilities.
- Proprietary chipset investments enabled higher-speed trials with partners like Google and Frontier.
Abstract
Stefaan Vanhastel, Head of Marketing & Innovation at Nokia, discusses the enduring nature of fiber infrastructure and its progression through various speed tiers, from the current 10 Gig era to future 100 Gig capabilities. He emphasizes how Nokia's investments in proprietary chipset technology have facilitated trials of higher-speed fiber networks with partners like Google and Frontier, expanding connectivity options for diverse applications beyond residential use.
4 Ingredients for Faster Fiber Network Deployment
- Render Networks cites four elements: streamlined field adoption, defined construction scope, real-time insights, and digital documentation.
- Sam Pratt claims these can accelerate network buildouts by at least 15%.
Abstract
Sam Pratt, CEO of Render Networks, outlines four crucial elements for advancing fiber network deployment at Fiber Connect 2024. These components include streamlined field adoption, well-defined construction scope, real-time insights, and digital documentation, which Pratt claims can accelerate network buildouts by at least 15%.
AI-Powered Home Wi-Fi Support
- RouteThis uses generative AI to empower frontline teams for issue diagnosis and Wi-Fi environment analysis.
- Automation enables more efficient deployment and enhanced customer experiences across all devices.
Abstract
Jason Moore, Co-founder and CEO of RouteThis, discusses how his company is advancing the fiber future by helping service providers deliver a seamless fiber experience to all devices within consumers' homes. RouteThis leverages generative AI to empower frontline teams, automating tasks like issue diagnosis and Wi-Fi environment analysis, enabling more efficient network deployment and enhanced customer experiences across all end devices.
Fiber Rollouts and the Customer Experience
- RouteThis's Jenni Dettman positions customer experience as central to the future of fiber networks.
- The company enables providers to deliver optimal experience from day one, regardless of network build or CPE choices.
Abstract
Jenni Dettman, VP of Marketing at RouteThis, emphasizes the critical importance of customer experience in driving the future of fiber networks. RouteThis aims to accelerate the fiber future by enabling service providers to deliver an optimal customer experience from day one, regardless of network build or CPE choices.
Three Key Factors for Accelerating Fiber Rollouts
- Tak Communications' Heather Gold cites three factors: simplifying regulations, addressing financing, and choosing experienced partners.
- She stresses partnering with reputable vendors and leveraging resources from larger companies for local construction.
Abstract
Heather B. Gold, VP of External Affairs at Tak Communications, highlights three key factors to accelerate the fiber future: simplifying regulations, addressing financial requirements, and choosing experienced partners. Gold emphasizes the importance of partnering with reputable vendors and leveraging resources from medium to large companies to support local construction efforts.
Balancing Competition and Cooperation
- Trent Edwards coins "cooperati" to describe balancing competition and cooperation in the industry.
- He identifies workforce development, especially engaging younger generations, as the primary challenge.
Abstract
Trent Edwards, President of Broadband Solutions at Tak Communications, views the current industry landscape as an opportunity and emphasizes the importance of collaboration, coining the term "cooperati" to describe the balance between competition and cooperation. Edwards identifies workforce development as the primary challenge, stressing the need to engage younger generations in the industry while expressing enthusiasm for upcoming projects.
Simplifying Telecom Networks with Tejas
- Tejas Networks proposes reducing vendor and management system count to streamline telecom operations.
- It draws on a comprehensive product portfolio to simplify network architectures and boost efficiency.
Abstract
Jeff Babbitt, Solution Architect at Tejas Networks, addresses the growing complexity of telecom networks and presents a strategy to streamline operations by reducing vendor and management system count. Drawing on Tejas Networks' extensive experience and comprehensive product portfolio, Babbitt encourages interested parties to reach out for discussions on simplifying network architectures and boosting operational efficiency.
Streamlining Fiber Network Sales
- TransUnion's Universal Order Connect and Order Insights automate and customize fiber order management.
- The tools aim to streamline fiber promotion and delivery while improving customer experience.
Abstract
John Carr, VP of Business Development at TransUnion, explores the intricacies of fiber network construction and sales, emphasizing TransUnion's proficiency in order management to streamline fiber promotion and delivery. TransUnion's Universal Order Connect system and Order Insights application offer automation and customization, enhancing the efficiency of fiber deployment processes and improving customer experience.
Building Fiber Networks with Quality and Precision
- Velox focuses on top-quality fiber networks built by skilled talent.
- Its growth strategy expands the workforce with rigorous training for quality, precision, and safety.
Abstract
Tom Counts, CEO of Velox, highlights the company's commitment to delivering peace of mind through top-quality fiber networks built by the industry's best talent. Velox's growth strategy involves expanding its workforce and implementing rigorous training processes to meet the demand while maintaining high standards of quality, precision, and safety.
Building Fiber Networks with Quality and Precision
- Velox focuses on top-quality fiber networks built by skilled talent.
- Its growth strategy expands the workforce with rigorous training for quality, precision, and safety.
Abstract
Tom Counts, CEO of Velox, highlights the company's commitment to delivering peace of mind through top-quality fiber networks built by the industry's best talent. Velox's growth strategy involves expanding its workforce and implementing rigorous training processes to meet the demand while maintaining high standards of quality, precision, and safety.
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