New Fiber Broadband Association Paper Highlights Fiber
as a Key Enabler for Data Center and AI Growth
This week, FBA released a new paper, The Evolving Data Center Market, which looks at how fiber broadband underpins the U.S. data center market and enables expansion into new regions. The paper highlights the economic impact for rural communities, where fiber deployment often coincides with available land and power resources. Data centers can serve as anchors for construction activity, technical jobs, and long-term operations roles, while cooperative-owned utilities and rural ISPs are increasingly partnering with developers to support new facilities.
Fiber also plays a central role in enabling today’s AI-driven economy. At Fiber Connect 2026, the FBA will explore this evolving landscape during The AI and Emerging Technology Infrastructure Summit on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Additional sessions throughout Fiber Connect 2026 will build on the paper’s findings, including Deployment Best Practices and Outside Plant Tracks, and Hyperscale Data Center & Evolving Edge.
Fiber Broadband Association Congratulates Mike Romano on his Appointment as Chief Executive Officer of NTCA
"The Fiber Broadband Association congratulates Mike Romano on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. Mike has long been a respected leader and tireless advocate for rural broadband providers, and we are confident that under his leadership, NTCA will continue to strengthen its impact on behalf of community-based providers across the country. His deep policy expertise, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to advancing connectivity make him exceptionally well-suited to guide NTCA into its next chapter.
We also extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to Shirley Bloomfield on her retirement after an extraordinary tenure leading NTCA. Shirley’s vision and dedication have transformed NTCA into one of the most influential and effective associations in our industry. Through her leadership, NTCA has amplified the voice of rural providers, advanced sound broadband policy, and championed the deployment of high-quality networks that connect communities across America. Her legacy is one of growth, strength, and enduring impact.
The Fiber Broadband Association values its strong partnership with NTCA and looks forward to continuing our collaboration to accelerate fiber broadband deployment and ensure every community has access to reliable, high-performance connectivity.
We wish Shirley all the best in her well-earned retirement and congratulate Mike as he steps into this important leadership role."
Constellation SaaS,CSG Simplify Back Office Implementation
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🌐 Now Accepting Self‑Nominations: Women in Fiber Regional Ambassadors!
The Fiber Broadband Association’s Women in Fiber Committee is seeking passionate leaders to volunteer as Regional Ambassadors and help grow membership, engagement, and impact across their regions.
As a Regional Ambassador, you’ll be a key connector, promoting Women in Fiber, supporting member participation in working groups and events, amplifying Fiber Connect and webinar engagement, and channeling regional feedback directly to committee leadership.
This is a unique opportunity to shape programming, define success metrics, and help advance women across the fiber broadband ecosystem at a regional level.
Ready to lead and make an impact? Self‑nominate today and help strengthen the Women in Fiber community in your region.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was in Oklahoma City at FBA’s Regional event to share the benefits of the FBA partnership and how to connect the communities you serve with local program partners to provide books for children ages 5 and under.
This working relationship bridges both the literacy gap and the digital divide, giving every child the tools and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Mark your calendar and join the FBA Membership Team during our Monthly Membership Office Hours on February 19, from 12:00-1:00 PM EST!
This session will include a membership benefits refresher—perfect for both long-standing members and those who joined more recently—plus the chance to ask questions and learn what’s new at FBA in 2026.
🤠Compete in the Fiber Technician Competition at Fiber Connect 2026!
The OpTIC Path Rodeo returns to Fiber Connect 2026 as a high-energy skills competition for fiber professionals. Technicians and field teams go head-to-head in timed challenges that showcase the craft, precision, and problem-solving needed to build world-class fiber networks. It is equal parts competition and celebration of the people who power America’s digital future.
When Virginia first invested $1 million into broadband in 2017, it wasn’t leading the country. It was testing what a state-led model could look like. This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Director of the Office of Broadband at Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development, joined Gary Bolton to talk about how that experiment scaled into one of the country’s most aggressive broadband buildouts – and what it actually takes to wire a Commonwealth.
Today, Virginia has secured $545 million in BEAD funding and is overseeing nearly $1.5 billion in total federal broadband investment. But the story isn’t just about dollars. It's about execution.
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