Infrastructure, Innovation and What Comes Next!

Fiber’s AI and quantum future will be on display at Fiber Connect 2027, with a new 30,000 square foot exhibit space. Source: Adobe Stock

Fiber Connect 2027 heads back to Nashville June 13 – 16, and we’ve got a host of new thrills, chills, and excitement planned as we look to share insights, best practices, and innovative new technologies, applications, and services.

Coming back are the popular OpTIC™ Path Rodeo, C Suite Forum, Gala Awards Dinner, and we’re pleased to announce that we’re adding a new, expanded area to the Expo Hall floor – the AI and Quantum Infrastructure Pavilion. At Fiber Connect 2027, we’re debuting a dedicated 30,000 sq. ft. expo hall section focused on the infrastructure fueling the next era of technology: AI, quantum computing, hyperscale data centers, Neocloud, and other emerging technologies and services. This space is in addition to the over 180,000 sq. ft. of expo hall dedicated to FTTH and residential services our attendees know and love.

This curated environment is purpose built to connect the companies building fiber, optical, and physical infrastructure with AI, quantum, data center, and Neocloud providers; hyperscale facilities; wholesale operators; and managed service providers serving enterprise customers driving unprecedented demand. It is a focused environment designed for discovery, connection, and deal‑making—where next‑generation compute meets the networks that power it.

The Proof of Concept program will be showcased in the new pavilion and we’re also including a theater for AI, quantum, and other emerging technologies content, including four new thematics that will bring industry experts, members, and special guests to explore topics including Neocloud, agentic AI and telecom operations, AI edge infrastructure, and hyperscale ready infrastructures.

Exhibitor Profile

Fiber infrastructure is required to support AI, quantum, and other emerging technology expansion and adoption.  This new pavilion will showcase the products, systems, solutions, and companies that are enabling these innovative technologies to thrive.

Companies that are interested in participating in this area should be capable of demonstrating the following types of technologies, products, and/or services:

• Time-Aware Infrastructure: Systems that process data with precision, timing, and trust, enabling them to act, defer, or self-correct as needed.
• Purpose-Built AI Infrastructure Platforms: Technologies support high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure critical for AI model training and real-time inferencing, including high-performance transport networks for Hyperscale interconnects.
• Fiber Conduit: Connectivity within the data center is evolving to include multicore and Hollow Core options to close the latency gap within server racks in the data center.
• Expanded Global Connectivity: Faster, more stable, and secure internet, such as 5G and quantum internet, is essential for transferring large amounts of data quickly and effectively.
• Modern Power Grids: Smarter, decentralized grids are necessary to support the energy demands of AI and quantum technologies.
• HPC-Grade Infrastructure, Data-Centric Architectures: Scalable, low-latency systems that move data closer to compute are necessary to support next-gen tech like AI and quantum.
• Agentic AI Functionality: One critical upgrade is building infrastructure that supports agentic AI, or AI that acts on behalf of users. To unlock its full potential, global systems must prioritize performance, scalability and seamless integration, enabling AI to transform everyday users into power users by automating repetitive tasks and enhancing productivity.
• Resilient, Smart-Routing Infrastructures: Survivability is critical for global infrastructure as AI and quantum continue to boom. Infrastructures that can be built to expect failure, reroute around it and stay consistent when regions or providers go dark.
• Deterministic Networking: AI and quantum don’t just need speed; they need precision. The next wave of infrastructure must prioritize deterministic networking and tightly synchronized edge computing.

These infrastructure upgrades are essential for the successful deployment and operation of AI and quantum technologies, driving innovation and economic growth.

For information on exhibiting in the AI and Quantum Infrastructure Pavilion, contact Lucy Green at lgreen@fiberbroadband.org. For information on the Fiber Connect 2027 Proof of Concept Program, please contact Nadir Noon at nnoon@fiberbroadband.org.

This article and similar stories can be found in the Q3 edition of the Fiber Forward Magazine.