FBA Presents – The Fiber Resurgence: Navigating the Shift from Wireless to Fiber in 2025
August 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
With BEAD funding and government initiatives fueling large-scale fiber buildouts, ISPs are shifting their focus from wireless to fiber infrastructure. In this session, moderator Rick Seemann from Sonar, Tim Luttman from Sonar, Nolan Fario from NETSPECTRUM, and Marissa Mitrovich from Fiber Broadband Association unpack the key trends in fiber deployments and explain why fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) is gaining momentum—even in previously wireless-dominated markets. Expect candid insight on major vendors like Calix and Adtran, the evolving role of Ubiquiti, and where fixed wireless still delivers critical reach. We will also examine the operational and community impacts of closing the digital divide, and how SaaS platforms such as Sonar are adapting to support new verticals and higher-speed networks.
Hook: Fiber is back on the rise—are you ready to capitalize? Let’s explore the fiber opportunity, understand where hybrid wireless fits, and learn how to stay ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- How BEAD and Buy America rules are accelerating domestic fiber deployments
- Evolution of fiber gear: XGS-PON, 25 G/50 G PON, and vendor moves (Calix, Adtran, Cambium, Ubiquiti)
- Where wireless still works—and how hybrid deployments maximize ROI in challenging terrain
- Planning for the last mile and beyond: permits, pole access, workforce, sustainability
- Closing the digital divide and its economic impact on rural communities
- Operational trade-offs: cost, performance, security, and energy efficiency
- SaaS demands of the modern telco and how Sonar is adapting across ISP, MVNO, and utility markets
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