Fiber Connect 2026: Day 1 Highlights from the General Sessions 

Fiber Connect 2026: Day 1 Highlights from the General Sessions 

The first day of general sessions at Fiber Connect 2026 delivered practical lessons from the field as the fiber broadband industry gathered to connect the Americas. Across the day, experts shared insights from building innovative technologies, expanding fiber networks, and shaping smarter communities. 

This year, Fiber Connect marks its 25th anniversary—a milestone that reflects how dramatically the industry has transformed the way people connect, work, and live. Today, the event is focused on fiber’s essential role in powering AI, cloud, quantum, and the digital economies taking shape around the world.  

FBA President and CEO Gary Bolton opened Monday’s sessions with a compelling look at the state of the industry. He described fiber as the foundational infrastructure behind AI, hyperscale computing, quantum, and what he called the “thinking economy.” The networks being built today, he noted, will carry far more than data—they will serve as the nervous system of an increasingly intelligent world, enabling information to move instantly and reliably among cloud platforms, AI systems, businesses, and consumers.  

Jeff Heynen, VP of Broadband Access and Home Networking, joined Ryan Harring, Director of Partnerships and Alliances at IonQ, for a fireside chat on quantum networking. While Harring joked that quantum cannot quite be explained in “five words or less,” he gave attendees a practical look at the technology’s real-world applications and future potential, reinforcing the need for secure, high-capacity fiber infrastructure to support what comes next. 

The first panel of the day, “Intro Panel: Coming to the Americas,” took attendees across the Western Hemisphere, from Argentina to Canada. Moderated by Juanita Clark, CEO of Digital Council Africa, the conversation brought together operators from Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada to share what is universal, what is local, and what it takes to connect customers to a better future. 

Panelists also discussed the barriers they continue to face and the opportunities they see ahead as fiber opens new possibilities across the region. Speakers included Jonas Aldao, Tech Lead – Fixed Access Evolution, Personal; Kalai Kalaichelvan, CEO, PomeGran; Wanda Perez, Senior Manager, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Liberty of Puerto Rico & USVI; and Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO, Ripple Fiber. 

In “Back to the Future: Early Gig Network Providers,” early gigabit pioneers shared stories from the front lines, the challenges they have navigated, and where they are headed next. The discussion highlighted fiber broadband’s growing capacity to support terabit-level services for businesses and data centers—and to help define the next chapter of connectivity. Speakers included Katie Espeseth, VP of New Products, EPB; Conley Freeman, SVP and CTO, C Spire; Jim Kronebush, CTO, Schurz Broadband Group; Jenna Wandres, Head of Enterprise PMO; and moderator Jeremy Harris, VP of Sales, North America, Adtran. 

Fiber Connect 2026’s first Operator Light Talk featured Claude Aiken, Chief Strategy Officer at Nextlink, who highlighted the company’s efforts to deliver fiber that supports precision agriculture, remote healthcare, and stronger connected communities in rural areas. 

“Tomorrowland: Building Smart Communities” explored the economic and community-wide benefits of fiber, the role of anchor institutions, and the opportunities fiber creates for communities of every size. Panelists examined what community transformation looks like today—and what it could look like in the near future when the right fiber infrastructure is in place. Speakers included Paul Fleming, Chairman and Head of Government and External Affairs, Wecom Fiber; Todd Heyne, Chief Construction Officer, ALLO Fiber; Derek Kelly, VP of Market Development, Lumos; and Teresa McGaughey, VP of Global Field and Partner Marketing, Calix. The panel was moderated by Roger Timmerman, CEO of UTOPIA Fiber. 

Two lively rounds of Fiber Feud wrapped up the day’s general sessions on a high note. Team “Cash Is King” (Ocean San Financial) and “Guardians of Connectivity” (SBOs) advanced to tomorrow’s final round. 

Day one covered a tremendous amount of ground, and there is even more ahead. Tuesday promises another full slate of insights, and Wednesday’s AI and Emerging Tech Infrastructure Summit is shaping up to be a standout event.