Fiber for Breakfast 2025 Week 52: A First Look at Fiber Connect 2026

Fiber For Breakfast Week 52: A First Look at Fiber Connect 2026

This week on Fiber for Breakfast, Gary welcomed Jessica Koch, Controller at Consolidated Business Services and FBA Conference Committee Chair, and Evann Freeman, Vice President of Government & Community Relations at EPB and FBA’s Board Vice Chair and Conference Committee Board Liaison, for the official reveal of FBA’s 2026 events line-up, including the Regional Fiber Connect Workshops and the flagship Fiber Connect 2026 conference, taking place May 17-20 in Orlando.

The conversation opened with excitement around the 2026 theme, “Light Years Ahead,” which reflects both the pace of fiber deployment and its long-term role as the foundational infrastructure for emerging technologies. As Freeman explained, while alternative technologies continue to be discussed, fiber has consistently proven it is “light years ahead” when it comes to supporting AI, data centers, quantum networking, and future applications that require massive capacity, reliability, and scalability.

Freeman walked through the overall structure of Fiber Connect 2026, which will follow the familiar and highly successful format attendees expect, beginning with pre-conference programming and the FBA Starter Toolkit on Sunday, followed by general sessions, curated programs, and networking events throughout the week. Popular events like the C-suite Forum, Broadband Policy Symposium, and marketing and customer experience programming will return, alongside expanded content on precision agriculture, telehealth, gaming, streaming, and hyperscalers.

Koch provided a deeper look at the general session programming, noting that the Orlando location inspired a creative approach to session themes while keeping the focus squarely on industry priorities. Sessions will address accelerating BEAD-funded deployments, managing network expansion, increasing penetration in existing footprints, and preparing networks for AI, quantum technologies, and data center growth. “We’re really focused on connecting communities end to end,” Koch said, highlighting participation from U.S., Canada, Latin American, and Tribal stakeholders.

A major highlight of the week will be Wednesday’s keynote by Dr. Michio Kaku, who will deliver a forward-looking perspective on AI, quantum science, and emerging technologies.

They also previewed several new elements, including Fiber Family Feud, live Fiber for Breakfast broadcast from the show floor, and a reimagined Expo Hall featuring a “Smart Community” showcase. The week will culminate in a special 25^th Anniversary Fiber Awards Gala, a red-carpet celebration honoring industry innovators, complete with dinner, entertainment, and dueling pianos.

Freeman emphasized that beyond content, Fiber Connect is about connection. “We build fiber networks, but we also need networks of people,” he said, pointing to the value of regional workshops and curated programs in sharing knowledge and solving community challenges together.

Gary closed by congratulating the conference team on a record-breaking year for speaker submissions and strong operator participation, underscoring the industry’s momentum heading into 2026.

Click here to watch the full interview & see the full presentation deck.