T-Mobile US tops 100 million customers

T-Mobile US announced its second quarter 2024 results, showcasing exceptional customer growth and financial performance. The company achieved industry-leading postpaid net account additions and surpassed the 100 million postpaid customers milestone. Additionally, T-Mobile reported the highest Q2 postpaid phone net customer additions in its history, underlining its market dominance.

Financially, T-Mobile's service revenues grew by 4% year-over-year, reaching $16.4 billion, while postpaid service revenues saw a 7% increase. The company's net income soared by 32% to $2.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 34% to $2.49. The impressive financial growth translated into record-high cash flows, with adjusted free cash flow growing 54% year-over-year to $4.4 billion.

T-Mobile's network performance also stood out, sweeping every category for overall network performance in the latest third-party reports. The company continued to expand its 5G network, carrying 87% of its 5G traffic on sites with three spectrum layers. T-Mobile's recent proposed acquisition of Metronet aims to complement its fixed wireless offerings and capitalize on fiber opportunities, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.

Key Points:

• Customer Growth:

  • Postpaid net account additions: 301,000
  • Postpaid net customer additions: 1.3 million
  • Postpaid phone net customer additions: 777,000
  • High-speed internet net customer additions: 406,000

• Financial Performance:

  • Service revenues: $16.4 billion (4% YoY growth)
  • Postpaid service revenues: $12.9 billion (7% YoY growth)
  • Net income: $2.9 billion (32% YoY growth)
  • EPS: $2.49 (34% YoY growth)
  • Core adjusted EBITDA: $8.0 billion (9% YoY growth)
  • Net cash from operating activities: $5.5 billion (27% YoY growth)
  • Adjusted free cash flow: $4.4 billion (54% YoY growth)
  • Returned $3.0 billion to stockholders in Q2 2024

• Network Performance:

  • Swept all categories for overall network performance in third-party reports
  • 87% of 5G traffic carried on sites with three spectrum layers
  • Proposed acquisition of Metronet to enhance fiber offerings

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#FiberConnect24: Fiber's Access Future from 10G to 100G - Nokia

 How is fiber technology evolving to meet future demands? Look ahead!

Stefaan Vanhastel, Head of Marketing & Innovation from Nokia explains:

- Fiber infrastructure is built to last 100 years, passing every home and building for generations

- Current 10 Gig era is expanding to include 25 Gig, 50 Gig, and 100 Gig options for diverse operator needs

- Advanced chipset technology enables higher speeds, supporting new services beyond fiber-to-home networks

https://youtu.be/59Fp_Tke-7s

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#FiberConnect24: Core to Edge Performance Evolution - Adtran

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How is fiber technology evolving to meet future network demands? Which segment of the network feels the heat next?

Robert Conger, SVP, Technology and Strategy from Adtran explains:

- Core DWDM technology is miniaturizing into small plugs, moving coherent DWDM to the network edge

- Access networks are transitioning from gigabit to multi-gig era, with 10G PON and future 50G PON technologies

- Intelligent network monitoring and cloud-based analytics are optimizing performance and improving subscriber experience

https://youtu.be/zT0bXlk9Idc

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#FiberConnect24: Innovation for Challenging Fiber Installations - DZS

 How can service providers accelerate fiber deployment in challenging areas?

Geoff Burke, Chief Marketing Officer from DZS, gives us the rundown:

- Fiber extension technologies like G.fast and MG.fast offer symmetrical gigabit services for MDUs and historically challenging locations

- Fixed wireless access provides a cost-effective gigabit-ready solution for remote areas, with 45-60% lower deployment costs than fiber

- Hardened coherent optics deliver 100-400 Gig connectivity to the network edge, supporting robust middle-mile infrastructure for fiber deployments

https://youtu.be/gZ0Pfzmf9-A

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#FiberConnect24: 10-Second ONT Installation for Fiber Rollouts - Genexis

How can we ensure smooth fiber broadband installation in every home?

Kajsa Arvidsson, Chief Marketing Officer from Genexis explains:

- Smart installation of fiber in the home using ONTs that can be installed in less than 10 seconds

- Interoperable ONTs that work with any OLT in the market, making installation easy to learn and even suitable for DIY

- All-in-one solution with connectors for cable TV, voice, and multiple ports to distribute fiber throughout the home

https://youtu.be/_1qGIRpYw1M

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#FiberConnect24: 4 Ingredients for Faster Fiber Deployment - Render

 Render Networks has expanded its mobile application suite and device compatibility, reinforcing its leadership in construction management and enabling network and construction teams to complete projects at least 15% faster. This update promotes a mobile-first strategy, allowing field crews to document, finalize builds, and perform maintenance using their preferred smartphones or tablets, enhancing adoption and productivity by over 20% through real-time data capture and task clarity.

Key Points:

Flexible Device Choice: Supports both Apple and Android devices, enhancing field crew adoption.

Improved Productivity: Increases daily production by more than 20% through real-time data capture and task management.

User-Friendly Interface: Simplified interface for managing workloads, editing tasks, and tracking progress.

Accurate As-Builts: Industry-leading digital redline capability ensures precise documentation of completed work.

Addressing Industry Challenges: Supports NTIA’s BEAD funding goals by enhancing workforce efficiency amid a skilled technician shortage, helping to connect more communities to reliable broadband.

https://youtu.be/m15V95R99PM

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How can we accelerate our fiber future?

Sam Pratt, CEO from Render Networks explains:

- Frictionless field adoption enables construction teams to access essential information effortlessly
- Clear construction scope ensures tasks are completed in the correct sequence
- Real-time visibility and insights allow for better resource allocation in a supply-constrained environment

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#FiberConnect24: DC Blox on Lessons from Hyperscalers

 Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How are hyperscalers reshaping internet infrastructure and what impact do they have on fiber deployments?

Bill Thomson, Marketing and Product Management from DC Blox shares these insights:

- Hyperscalers are building large data centers to move infrastructure and services closer to end users in specific regions

- They are also developing dark fiber capacity to connect these data centers, effectively rebuilding the internet in their own image

- Traditional telecom-based networks are insufficient in capacity and reach for hyperscalers' needs, driving the demand for new dark fiber infrastructure

https://youtu.be/7lwXCCclN2g

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Dell'Oro: Network Security Market to Hit $40B by 2028

The worldwide network security market, including firewall, SSE, traditional SWG appliance, WAF, and ADC segments, is expected to grow to nearly $40 B by 2028, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group. This growth is driven by a significant shift in enterprise security spending towards cloud-based Secure Service Edge (SSE) and Web Application Firewall (WAF) solutions, which are forecasted to achieve mid-teen double-digit CAGRs, in contrast to the single-digit CAGR projected for traditional firewall solutions.

“We’re seeing a major pivot in how enterprises approach security, with SSE and SaaS-based WAF solutions taking center stage due to their superior flexibility and scalability as cloud-delivered solutions,” said Mauricio Sanchez, Sr. Director, Enterprise Security and Networking at Dell’Oro Group. “As organizations increasingly embrace cloud-first strategies and digital transformation, these advanced security models are becoming indispensable, driving rapid market growth,” added Sanchez.

Additional highlights from the Network Security 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

SSE Market: The SSE market is anticipated to surpass $10 B by 2028, with a double-digit CAGR. This robust growth is driven by the increasing transition of security perimeters to cloud-based services, catering to the needs of distributed applications and hybrid work models.

WAF Market: Driven by the increased emphasis on digital transformation initiatives and the necessity of securely deploying enterprise applications on the Internet, the WAF market is projected to grow robustly. It is expected to reach nearly $6 B by 2028, reflecting a double-digit CAGR.

Firewall Market: The Firewall market is projected to grow at a single-digit CAGR, reaching over $19 B by 2028. While near-term softness is expected as the market corrects from the pandemic-induced surge, a new refresh cycle is anticipated to alleviate this, though it won’t be as strong as the post-pandemic boom.

Form Factor Shift: SaaS and virtual-based solutions are expected to grow at a 16 percent CAGR, compared to 6 percent for physical appliances. By 2026, SaaS and virtual-based solutions are projected to account for over half of the Network Security market.

https://www.delloro.com/news/network-security-market-to-hit-40-b-by-2028-with-cloud-based-solutions-driving-the-growth/

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Dell'Oro: Broadband Equipment Spending Expected to Grow

Broadband Access Equipment market is forecasted to grow 2 percent on average for the next five years (2024-2028) due in part to lower spending in 2024 as operators continue to absorb excess inventory and, in the case of Tier 1 cable operators, dramatically slow their purchases of new DOCSIS CPE, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group.

“Most service providers are taking a conservative approach to 2024, choosing to rely on existing inventory as they receive mixed signals on inflation, consumer spending, and new home construction,” said Jeff Heynen, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group. “2025 is shaping up to be a rebound year for spending, driven by ongoing fiber network expansions as well as cable DAA upgrades,” added Heynen.

Additional highlights from the Broadband Access & Home Networking 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

• PON equipment revenue is expected to grow from $11.1 B in 2023 to $12.9 B in 2028, driven largely by XGS-PON deployments in North America, EMEA, and CALA, as well as FTTR (Fiber to the Room) and 50 Gbps deployments in China.
• Revenue for Cable Distributed Access Equipment (Virtual CCAP, Remote PHY Devices, Remote MACPHY Devices, and Remote OLTs) is expected to peak at $1.2 B in 2027, as operators continue their DOCSIS 4.0 and early fiber deployments.
• Revenue for Fixed Wireless CPE is expected to reach $2.6 B by 2028, led by shipments of 5G sub-6 GHz and a growing number of 5G millimeter wave units.
• Revenue for Wi-Fi 7 residential routers and broadband CPE with WLAN will reach $8.4 B by 2028, as the technology is rapidly adopted by consumers and service providers alike.

https://www.delloro.com/news/broadband-equipment-spending-expected-to-grow-at-2-percent-cagr-over-next-five-years-according-to-delloro-group/

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STL Unveils High-Density 864F Micro Cables for US Fiber Networks

STL introduced its high-density 864F Micro Cables, designed to enhance connectivity in dense fiber networks across the US. These innovative cables offer superior fiber density, efficient installation, and sustainability benefits.

Key Points:

• Ultra-high fiber density: 1.5X more fibers in the same diameter; easy installation up to 1500m in 14mm ducts.
• Longer network life: Bend-insensitive 200-micron fiber increases power budget, reduces maintenance, and speeds up installation.
• Sustainable and cost-saving: Uses 40% less plastic, cutting civil costs by up to 70%.
• Easy to install: Slim outer jacket and reduced form factor enable tighter coiling and easier fiber bundle access.
• Additional product: Intelligently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) Armored cable ensures easy installation and excellent splicing outcomes.
• Local production: STL’s South Carolina facility supports federal and private broadband projects, including the BEAD Program.

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Marvell intros Structera CXL for Enhanced Memory Performance

 Marvell introduced its new Structera product line of Compute Express Link (CXL) devices, aimed at resolving memory performance and scaling challenges in cloud data centers. These devices are designed to enable cloud operators to efficiently add memory to general-purpose servers, addressing the inefficiencies and high costs associated with memory-intensive applications. By leveraging the CXL industry standard, Marvell's Structera line allows for the creation of new architectures that enhance memory bandwidth and capacity without the need for additional servers.

The Structera product line includes two families of CXL devices tailored to specific use cases. The Structera A CXL near-memory accelerators integrate server-class processor cores and multiple memory channels to cater to high-bandwidth applications such as deep learning recommendation models (DLRM) and machine learning. The Structera X CXL memory-expansion controllers, on the other hand, are designed to add terabytes of memory to general-purpose servers, supporting high-capacity applications like in-memory databases. These products, which are the first in the industry to support four memory channels and utilize 5nm manufacturing processes, also incorporate inline compression for enhanced performance.

Marvell Structera A 2504

• PCIe 5.0/CXL2.0 x16
• Four channels of DRAM DDR5 6400 MT/sec  
• Two memory DIMMs per channel (2DPC) support
• 16 Arm Neoverse V2 cores at 3.2 GHz 
• Inline LZ4 compression and decompression 
• Inline AES-XTS 256-bit encryption and decryption 
• Embedded hardware security module and secure boot

Marvell Structera X 2404

• PCIe 5.0/CXL2.0 1 x16 or 2 x8
• Four channels of DRAM DDR4 3200 MT/sec 
• Three memory DIMMs per channel (3DPC) support
• Inline LZ4 compression and decompression
• Inline AES-XTS 256-bit encryption and decryption
• Embedded hardware security module and secure boot

Marvell Structera X 2504

• PCIe 5.0/CXL2.0 1 x16 or 2 x8
• Four channels of DRAM DDR5 6400 MT/sec 
• Two memory DIMMs per channel (2DPC) support
• Inline LZ4 compression and decompression
• Inline AES-XTS 256-bit encryption and decryption
• Embedded hardware security module and secure boot

“Our new Structera CXL product line will be a game-changer in enabling optimal resource utilization and lowering energy consumption for scaling memory-intensive workloads in the cloud,” said Raghib Hussain, president of products and technologies at Marvell. “Marvell is delivering on the promise of CXL and our commitment to customers to help them solve their most challenging issues. CXL will continue to be a critical technology enabler for accelerated infrastructure across our compute, connectivity and storage portfolios.” 

Sampling is expected in Q4.

https://youtu.be/0OMKdlf5_fw

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Lumen reserves 10% of Corning’s global fiber capacity to connect AI data centers

As part of its Q2 financial report, Corning announced that Lumen Technologies has reserved 10% of Corning’s global fiber capacity for each of the next two years to interconnect AI-enabled data centers.  This will be the first outside-plant deployment of Corning’s new generative-AI fiber and cable system, which enables Lumen to fit two to four times the amount of fiber into their existing conduit.

The news led to a huge jump in Lumen's stock price on Tuesday.

Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Our strong second-quarter results exceeded the guidance we provided in April and marked a return to year-over-year core sales and EPS growth. The outperformance was driven primarily by the strong adoption of our new optical connectivity products for generative AI, which drove record sales in the Enterprise portion of our Optical Communications business. The opportunity is only growing; in fact, in the third quarter, we reached an agreement with Lumen Technologies that uses our new gen-AI fiber and cable system to facilitate Lumen’s build of a new network to interconnect AI-enabled data centers.”

Second-Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

• GAAP sales were $3.25 billion. Core sales were $3.60 billion.
• GAAP EPS was $0.12, and core EPS was $0.47. The difference between GAAP and core EPS primarily reflected constant currency adjustments, translated earnings contract gains, and translation gains on Japanese-yen-denominated debt, as well as restructuring and non-cash asset write-off charges.
• GAAP gross margin was 29.2%. Core gross margin improved sequentially and year over year by 110 and 170 basis points, respectively, to 37.9%.
• GAAP operating cash flow was $521 million, and adjusted free cash flow was $353 million.

In Optical Communications, second-quarter sales were $1.1 billion, up 20% sequentially, marking a return to growth. Year over year, sales increased 4%, reflecting record sales in the Enterprise portion of the business, which was up 42%, driven by AI-related connectivity solutions. Second-quarter net income was $143 million, up 43% sequentially, driven by strong incremental profit on the higher volume.

https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2024/Corning-Reports-Strong-Second-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results-Exceeding-April-Guidance-and-Marking-Return-to-Year-over-Year-Sales-Growth/default.aspx

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#FiberConnect24: Key Priorities for Accelerating the Fiber Future

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How is fiber broadband accelerating our future?

Gary Bolton, President from Fiber Broadband Association explains:

- Fiber is critical infrastructure for building our future, beyond just meeting minimum speeds
- Accelerating deployment is crucial, as speed reduces costs and inefficiencies
- Protecting the network through trusted fiber initiatives and collaboration with security agencies is essential.

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#FiberConnect24: Fiber's Role in Connecting Rural America

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How can fiber infrastructure bridge the digital divide in rural America?

Jimmy Todd, CEO from Nex-Tech explains:

- Fiber is crucial for connecting unserved and underserved rural communities, preventing disparities between urban and rural areas
- Funding programs like BEAD, ARPA, and USDA grants need to consider population density and high-cost thresholds when allocating resources for rural fiber deployment
- Streamlining permitting processes and addressing challenges like terrain and distance is essential to accelerate rural fiber connectivity

https://youtu.be/i1eW_0oxeXY

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#FiberConnect24: Innovative Tools for Faster Fiber Rollouts

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How is Clearfield helping the broadband providers to overcome the barriers and Accelerate our Fiber Future?

Cheri Beranek, President and CEO from Clearfield explains:

- Introducing "BILT," a mobile app providing 3D images for on-site education and support
- Focusing on reducing operational expenses (Opex) in network construction through innovative product designs
- Developing solutions like the "Deploy Reel TAP" box to minimize labor requirements and skill levels needed for technicians

https://youtu.be/x-JsFO3wsbo
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Arista reports Q2 sales of $1.69 billion, up 15.9% yoy

Arista Networks reported the following Q2 2024 numbers:

• Revenue of $1.690 billion, an increase of 7.6% compared to the first quarter of 2024, and an increase of 15.9% from the second quarter of 2023.
• 
  GAAP gross margin of 64.9%, compared to GAAP gross margin of 63.7% in the first quarter of 2024 and 60.6% in the second quarter of 2023.
• Non-GAAP gross margin of 65.4%, compared to non-GAAP gross margin of 64.2% in the first quarter of 2024 and 61.3% in the second quarter of 2023.
• GAAP net income of $665.4 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $491.9 million, or $1.55 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2023.
• Non-GAAP net income of $672.6 million, or $2.10 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $501.2 million, or $1.58 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2023.

“On the heels of our June celebration of 10 years as a public company, I would again like to thank our customers, employees and partners for contributing to our success as we arrived at this important milestone,” said Jayshree Ullal, Chairperson and CEO of Arista Networks. “Our Q2 2024 financial results demonstrate Arista's powerful combination of growth, profitability and best of breed platforms.”

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Dell'Oro: Campus Switch Revenues to Plunge in 2024

Campus Switch sales hit a stratospheric high in 2023 but are expected to come sharply back down to earth in 2024, contracting by 16 percent, according to a new report fro Dell’Oro Group. The report predictsa 6 percent rebound in Campus Switch revenues in 2025, and then steady growth until 2028.

“Vendors backlogs are now normalized,” said Siân Morgan, Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. “Manufacturers are back to generating new demand instead of relying on backlogged orders for revenues.

“The Campus Switch market is in a lull, following on from the record levels of revenues experienced in 2023.  However, we expect that digital transformation projects and WLAN upgrades will return the Campus Switch market to growth in 2025.  While we see a risk of IT spending shift to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the enterprise, the AI revolution will also drive some network upgrades,” added Morgan.

Additional highlights from the Ethernet Switch – Campus 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

• AIOps features remain pivotal for vendors striving to enhance their competitive positioning in the Campus Switch market. These features will help boost prices between 2024 and 2028.
• The adoption of 2.5/5.0 Gbps ports, and ports supporting PoE (Power over Ethernet), will be driven by sales of the next generation of WLAN and IoT devices.
• Hybrid work models being adopted by enterprises will put both downward and upward pressures on Campus Switch spending.
• The share of Campus Switch revenues from sales to enterprises in China is expected to increase in the period between 2023 and 2028.

https://www.delloro.com/news/campus-switch-revenues-will-plunge-in-2024/

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Fiber Connect 2024: A Vision for America's Fiber-Connected Future

Nashville, TN - Gary Bolt, President of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), kicked off the Fiber Connect 2024 conference with a speech that underscored the significant progress and future potential of fiber broadband in the United States. Held in Nashville, this year's conference attracted a record 5,000 attendees, marking an annual growth of approximately 1,000 attendees over the past four years. Bolt emphasized the conference's goal to elevate the event to the world's premier fiber broadband gathering, reflecting on recent successes and setting ambitious targets for the future.

Bolt shared his recent experience hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, using the ancient city as a metaphor for the engineering marvels and legacy that today's fiber broadband initiatives aim to create. He highlighted the incredible engineering achievements of the Incas, drawing parallels to the ambitious goal of connecting every American with fiber broadband by the end of the decade. This vision, he argued, is within reach, given the advancements and opportunities presented since the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure bill by President Biden in November 2021.

The speech detailed the Fiber Broadband Association's (FBA) efforts to address workforce development, an essential component of the fiber broadband expansion. Bolt announced the success of the FBA's fiber optic technician training program, which has grown from an initial cohort of eight students in 2022 to nearly 485 graduates today, with a goal of 1,085 graduates by the end of the year. The program, which has a significant focus on veterans, aims to train 75,000 fiber optic technicians nationwide, addressing a critical industry need.

Bolt also discussed the challenges and solutions related to fiber deployment, including permitting, cost benchmarking, and supply chain issues. The FBA's initiatives, such as the permitting summit held in collaboration with Brightsky and the annual fiber deployment cost study conducted with Cartesian, are pivotal in streamlining processes and reducing costs. Additionally, Bolt highlighted the importance of securing the nation's broadband infrastructure and the association's efforts to promote fiber as critical infrastructure through advocacy, education, and collaboration with government entities.

Key Points:

Record Attendance: Fiber Connect 2024 saw a record 5,000 attendees, reflecting significant growth and interest in fiber broadband.

Workforce Development: The FBA's fiber optic technician training program has expanded rapidly, with a goal of 75,000 trained technicians to support the fiber broadband rollout.

Deployment Challenges: The FBA is addressing permitting, cost benchmarking, and supply chain issues to streamline fiber deployment and reduce costs.

Critical Infrastructure: The FBA emphasizes fiber as essential infrastructure and works with government entities to secure and promote broadband development.

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Fiber Connect 2024: NTIA's Alan Davidson Affirms Commitment to Fiber

Fiber Connect 2024 - Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), took the stage at Fiber Connect 2024 in a highly anticipated fireside chat. Davidson reassured the audience of fiber advocates that NTIA remains firmly committed to fiber broadband as the backbone of America's internet infrastructure, dispelling any rumors to the contrary.

Davidson highlighted the historic bipartisan infrastructure law, which has finally provided the resources to address the digital divide, a problem that has persisted for over two decades. He emphasized that NTIA's mission is to connect every American with reliable, affordable high-speed internet, with fiber being the preferred technology due to its future-proof capabilities. While acknowledging the challenges in reaching certain areas, he affirmed that alternative technologies would be considered only when fiber deployment is not feasible.

The Assistant Secretary also announced that NTIA would soon release a guidelines document for the use of alternative technologies, which will be open for public comment. He encouraged stakeholders to participate in this process to ensure a robust and effective framework. Davidson expressed confidence in the bipartisan support for NTIA's programs, noting that the digital equity grants and state plans are crucial steps in achieving digital equity and closing the connectivity gap.

Addressing the critical issue of workforce development, Davidson acknowledged the industry's need for a significant increase in fiber optic technicians. He highlighted the efforts of various states and organizations in workforce training and urged industry stakeholders to continue engaging in these initiatives. Davidson concluded by calling on the Fiber Broadband Association and its members to support NTIA's mission through active participation in state processes, workforce development, and ensuring affordability and accessibility for all Americans.

Key Points:

Commitment to Fiber: NTIA remains dedicated to fiber broadband as the primary technology for high-speed internet infrastructure.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Emphasizes the historic opportunity to close the digital divide with substantial federal funding.

Guidelines for Alternative Technologies: Upcoming document open for public comment to outline the use of alternative technologies in specific cases.

Digital Equity Grants: Nearly a billion dollars in funding to support digital equity initiatives and ensure access for all communities.

Workforce Development: Calls for increased training and support to meet the growing demand for fiber optic technicians.

Fireside Chat Hosted by Marissa Mitrovich, Vice President of Public Policy for the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA). 

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Fiber Connect 2024: Verizon's Eric Lia Advocates for Expanded Fiber Broadband

At the Fiber Connect 2024 conference in Nashville, Eric J. Lia, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Verizon, underscored the transformative power of broadband for rural America. Lia emphasized that broadband access is not merely about faster internet speeds but about leveling the playing field and unlocking growth potential in education, healthcare, economic prosperity, and community development. He highlighted the significant disparities in broadband access, pointing out that 8.8 million households remain unserved or underserved, with 50% of households and school-aged children lacking reliable internet. To bridge this digital divide, Verizon has committed over $3 billion from 2020 through 2025 to expand internet access, particularly focusing on rural areas, schools, libraries, and small businesses.

Lia also addressed the challenges and solutions in expanding fiber broadband. He urged for regulatory flexibility to avoid burdensome restrictions and redundant costs, which can hinder progress. Lia emphasized the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure and upskilling the workforce to meet the growing demand for fiber deployments. Innovations in fiber technology, such as smaller, more efficient cables and hubs, are crucial for reducing costs and accelerating installations. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate and innovate, stressing that every decision should aim to expedite the deployment of fiber broadband to enhance the quality of life for residents in underserved areas.

Key Points:

• Broadband access is essential for education, healthcare, economic prosperity, and community growth.
• 8.8 million households remain unserved or underserved; 50% of households and school-aged children lack reliable internet.
• Verizon is investing over $3 billion from 2020-2025 to expand broadband access, particularly in rural areas.
• Regulatory flexibility and leveraging existing infrastructure are crucial for efficient fiber deployments.
• Innovations in fiber technology are needed to reduce costs and speed up installations.
• Collaboration and innovation among stakeholders are essential to accelerate broadband deployment.

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