FFB 2026 Week 7: The Hidden Infrastructure Behind AI and Hyperscale Networks

On this episode of Fiber for Breakfast, we pull back the curtain on In-Line Amplifier (ILA) huts—the unsung infrastructure powering long-haul fiber networks. Michael Thomas, Regional Vice President of Integration at Network Connex, joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, to explain how ILAs keep signals strong across hundreds of miles, reduce latency, and enable the rapid growth of AI and cloud services. They’ll also discuss why ILA placement is critical, how these sites are evolving into micro data centers, who’s building them, and how they could create new broadband opportunities for rural communities.

With Special Guest