Robert Conger tackles rural broadband challenges at Fiber Connect 2025
Session will explain why new broadband services could benefit from extra investment in middle-mile infrastructure
- Speakers: Robert Conger, GM of software platforms and strategy at Adtran; Erik Keith, senior research analyst, broadband infrastructure, at SPG Global Market Intelligence (moderator); Paul Brigandi, Application Technology Leader at Dow; Justin Forte, CEO at INDATEL Services; Chris Bailey, senior director at Wesco
- Topics: Managing the project, promoting the value
- When: Tuesday, June 3, 2:40 p.m. CT
- Where: Where: Fiber Connect 2025, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA https://fiberconnect2025.eventscribe.net/index.asp
Federal funding has played a vital role in expanding high-quality fiber broadband to unserved and underserved US communities. But as these networks grow, rising data traffic threatens to overwhelm core infrastructure. Upgrading the middle mile ensures that FTTx, 5G and fixed wireless access deployments are capable of delivering reliable, future-ready services.
In this session, Robert Conger and a panel of industry experts will explain why prioritizing access networks without reinforcing the middle mile risks creating future congestion points. They’ll also outline practical strategies to strengthen this often-overlooked segment, ensuring smoother service delivery while preserving the performance gains rural communities were promised.