4 Things to Look Forward to at Fiber Connect 2023
Kara Mullaley
Published: August 18, 2023
This August I will be joining a team of other Corning subject matter experts at Fiber Connect, an industry conference hosted by the Fiber Broadband Association. This year’s conference presents an opportunity for us all to reflect on fiber broadband’s recent milestones as well as the exciting direction our industry is headed — making the most out of a generational opportunity to build long-lasting fiber broadband networks thanks to our government’s Internet for All initiative.
Whether you’re attending the conference or following our presence on social media, here are four reasons I look forward to attending this year’s Fiber Connect.
1. Industry-leading technologies displayed at our booth
Every year I look forward to seeing the industry's latest innovations at Fiber Connect, and I'm proud of Corning's long record of leadership in this area. I'm especially excited this year about the innovations we'll be previewing in our Corning booth. These upcoming innovations will help network operators streamline and accelerate their field installations as they prepare to leverage funding opportunities such as the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
If you’re interested in learning more and would like to meet with one of our experts at the conference don’t forget to visit booth #817 to take your broadband network to the next level.
2. FTTXcellence award
This year’s conference will also recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to fiber broadband with the FTTXcellence Award. As sponsors, Corning and Lightwave will present the award during the 20th Annual FTTXcellence ceremony on Monday, August 21.
This will be an important time for our industry to reflect on fiber broadband’s progress and its bright future. As decades of innovation continue to evolve in making fiber broadband what it is today, it’s crucial to recognize individuals that have shown vision and demonstrated leadership in the use of FTTx technology. It is immensely gratifying to be part of an industry that works tirelessly to connect more and more people and communities and I am proud to be part of a company that recognizes those that move the industry forward.
3. Women in fiber luncheon
On the subject of recognizing those that move the industry forward, the Fiber Broadband Association and Corning also join together in recognizing the many women in our field. Every year we collaborate to host the Women in Fiber Luncheon, a time to reflect and celebrate the many women behind the strands of glass that connect us all.
4. Our speakers
Last but not least, Fiber Connect will be a chance for all to hear our Corning subject matter experts speak on current industry trends and technologies. This year, four of our spokespersons, including myself, will take part in thought provoking panel discussions:
- I, alongside other industry experts, will speak on a panel entitled “Build America Buy America & Supply Chain Impact.” We will be discussing the opportunities brought by public and private investments and their impacts on fiber broadband’s supply chain.
- In addition to presenting this year’s FTTXcellence award, our Director of Market Development for Carrier Networks, Joe Jensen, will also participate in a lively discussion about Optical Distribution Network (ODN) Technology. The panel will review best practices and deployment models within the optical physical path.
- Corning’s own Barry Walton, solutions architect in his 46th year in telecom, will participate in two panel discussions. The first will focus on the many benefits of fiber broadband through the lens of sustainability. The latter will discuss strategies to bring fiber to rural areas while minimizing challenges such as labor, strict deployment timelines and more.
- Lastly, my colleague, FTTH and 5G Application Solutions Manager, Darin Howe, will speak to the technicalities of network planning and how to adopt best practices. With over 15 years of experience in this industry, Darin will bring expertise to a lively discussion on the ever-evolving technologies to design and evaluate your network.
We appreciate the work of the Fiber Broadband Association in bringing Fiber Connect to life every year and giving us all a chance to reflect on our industry’s progress and the opportunities to come. Out of all I am most excited to meet with industry colleagues and discuss the work we do every day to connect the unconnected.
I hope to see you at the conference, if you’re joining us in person don’t forget to come by our booth #817, if you cannot make the trip this year be sure to follow us on social media to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
