Fiber Forward Weekly: Q3 CEO Update

Fiber Broadband Association News Section Header

Participate in the Fiber Deployment Cost Survey

Your insights will help establish reliable industry benchmarks and provide clarity on the ongoing challenge of inconsistent build cost data.

🎁 First 50 respondents receive a $100 Amazon gift card (T&Cs apply) - learn more here!

If you’re not the right person to take this survey, please share with your Head of Network Deployment, Construction, or PMO.

🔗Click here to start the survey!

TRAXyL, Inc. Nominated for “The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia” in the 2025 Virginia Manufacturing Cup

Great Plains Communications Deploys Ciena Coherent Routing Solutions

Ripple Fiber Rapidly Advances Fiber Network Rollout Across Chicago Metro Area

Brightspeed Launches 8 Gig Fiber Internet Service with Whole-Home WiFi 7

Read More | BEAD Program Wins Total More Than $528M

Flagger Force Launches “People Aren’t Cones” Campaign

Read More | Expands Operations into Ohio

Surf Internet® Marks Major Step Forward with Fiber Expansion in Eastern Illinois

Want to see your company's fiber news featured here? Email your press releases and related images to fiberforward@fiberbroadband.org by noon ET on Wednesdays.

✨ Join us for the FBA Member Mingle in Chicago ✨
📍 Downers Grove, IL
📅Tuesday, October 28 | 4:30 - 6:30 PM CT

This exclusive networking event is your chance to connect with fellow FBA members, enjoy great conversations, build new relationships, and relax over light refreshments.

✅ FBA Members: RSVP now to membership@fiberbroadband.org

❓ Not a member yet? There’s still time to join and gain access to this and future events here!

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

How Speed Test Measurements Are Designed to Improve End-User Experiences

This week’s Fiber for Breakfast episode, Bryan Darr, Vice President of Government Affairs at Ookla, joined Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association. They discussed how service providers are racing to keep up with surging demand—and how simply building connections is no longer the sole challenge. Providers must now ensure these connections can stand the test of time and deliver the promised speeds.

Read the full summary | Watch the full interview

Gary Bolton: Healthcare innovations continue to grow with fiber

Broadband Breakfast | Gary Bolton | 10/6/25

The data deluge is still a big problem for telcos

Fierce Network | Elizabeth Coyne | 10/7/25

Telco Leaders Are Pulling Ahead on AI

ISE | Hayden Besson | 10/6/25

Agentic AI intros 5 new risks for telcos - no one is talking about them

Fierce Network | Elizabeth Coyne | 10/8/25

FCC Commissioner raises alarm over 'copper threat crisis'

Light Reading | Nicole Ferraro | 10/6/25

Despite BEAD, Bad Internet May Persist in Rural Areas

Government Technology | Skip Descant | 10/6/25

Fiber Connect 2026 Call for Speakers Open

Fiber Connect 2026 will take place May 17-20, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Conference Center in Orlando, Florida. We’ve already received some exciting submissions, but we’re looking for more voices and perspectives to help shape the conversations that will drive the future of fiber broadband.

👉 Submit through the Speaker Submission Portal by 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, October 31, 2025.

🔗Read More Here