Fiber Forward Weekly: Fiber-Rich Farming

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New Paper from Fiber Broadband Association Finds Precision Agriculture Driving Urgent Need for Higher Broadband Standards

This week, FBA released a new paper, Fiber-Rich Farming: Broadband Requirements for Precision Ag Today and Tomorrow, examining how the rapid rise of precision agriculture is transforming broadband demands across rural America – and why current federal benchmarks risk falling short.

Precision agriculture will be featured in dedicated programming on Monday, May 18th at Fiber Connect 2026 in Orlando, including two fireside chats and a session focused on Fiber to the Last Acre with panelists from EPC, t3 Broadband and Nedia Fiber. Fireside chats will feature representatives from Community Broadband Action Network, USDA Rural Development, American Farm Bureau Federation and Netceed.

Read the full release here.

Fiber Connect 2026 News of the Week 📢

This week, FBA announced the Proof of Concept (PoC) demonstrations planned for Fiber Connect 2026, May 17-20, in Orlando, Florida. The PoC Showcase is hosted by the Broadband Forum (BBF) and will feature five demonstrations that explore how interoperable technologies enable a more efficient, scalable connected community.

The 2026 PoCs include:

Autonomous Networks via MCP: AI-Agents Driving Zero-Touch Customer Support – presented by AVSystem.
Real-Time Data Streaming Using a Phone – presented by Axiros.
Friendly AI Assistant Powering its TR–369 Device Management Platform – presented by Friendly Technologies.
IQGeo AI – presented by IQGeo.
IPTV/OTT Platform: A Unique TV Experience. Modernize TV. Simplify Operations. Protect Broadband Value – presented by UniqCast.

Read the full release here.

This week, FBA also announced it will host its weekly Fiber for Breakfast show live from Fiber Connect 2026 on Tuesday, May 19, during general sessions. Starfront Observatories Co-Founder Josh Kim will join FBA President & CEO Gary Bolton to explore how fiber broadband enables hundreds of thousands of astronomy enthusiasts to view the cosmos.

Read the full release here

Fidium now available in Sandler Partners’ SCOUT sales tool

Ripple Fiber® in Ariz., Investing Over $80M to Deliver Fiber to 50,000+

gaiia Raises $40M to Modernize Operations for CSPs

Brightspeed: Milestone in N.C. Read More | Nears Finish Line in New Jersey Read More | Pay-What-You-Can Mobile Market

Bekaert announces CEO succession

GOCare Drives Digital CX Transformation for Broadband Providers at Fiber Connect 2026

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Fiber Connect 2026 25th Anniversary Gala! 🕺

Don’t miss Fiber Connect’s 25th Anniversary Gala at Fiber Connect 2026.

This milestone celebration is one of the most anticipated moments of the event, bringing the industry together for an evening of connection, reflection, and fun.

🎟️Ticket sales have closed at this time but please visit the registration desk at Fiber Connect if you are interested in attending!

Fiber in the Fast Lane: Powering the Autonomous Future

For years, autonomous vehicles were framed as futuristic: robotaxis, self-driving cars, and AI behind the wheel. But this week’s Fiber for Breakfast shifted the conversation away from the vehicle itself and toward the infrastructure quietly making autonomy possible. In a conversation with Clayton Tino, President and COO of Beep, Gary explored the less visible side of the autonomous future: the networks, data flows, and fiber connectivity required to operate mobility systems at scale.

Read the full summary here

Watch the full interview here