Quantum computers complement the suite of IT tools that a modern enterprise needs to do business. In fact, quantum computers and classical (conventional) computers are complementary in many ways. In this session, IonQ will offer the latest insights into the various levels of integration needed between conventional and quantum computers, in hardware and applications. IonQ offers excellent trapped-ion based quantum computers and quantum applications, www.ionq.com.

Guest Presenter: Coleman Collins, Director of Product Management, IonQ Quantum Business Solutions

Wender plans to discuss the continued successes of the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), which provides $10 billion to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments to fund critical capital projects, including affordable, reliable high-speed internet, that enable work, education, and health monitoring. To date, CPF has awarded approximately $9 billion for broadband, digital technology and equity, and multi-purpose community center projects in all states and the District of Columbia, which states estimate will reach over two million locations, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of individuals who will be served annually by multi-purpose community facilities.

Guest Presenter: Joseph Wender, Director, Capital Projects Fund, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Fiber-optic cables are the gold standard for broadband infrastructure. The backbone of the internet utilizes fiber, and without it, the internet as we know it today would not be possible. With their unparalleled data transmission speed and reliability, the technology poised to become even more critical. They will not only cater to escalating data consumption but also enable innovations in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and smart cities, fundamentally reshaping our interaction with technology and each other. As such, tracking fiber penetration across the U.S. broadband market provides valuable insights into technological adoption and accessibility. Tracking penetration is difficult, however, because data on adoption of specific technology types is often not publicly available.

Our presentation highlights an innovative approach to address this gap. We have developed a machine learning algorithm capable of analyzing vast amounts of raw speed test data to identify which tests were conducted over fiber connections. This is based on the unique performance benchmarks of fiber technology. Preliminary results are promising, showing an accuracy rate of approximately 95%. Join us as we uncover the potential of this technology in enhancing our understanding of broadband infrastructure’s evolution.

Guest Presenter: Tyler Cooper, Editor-In-Chief, BroadbandNow

Wi-Fi® speeds have increased with each new generation. While the coming 7th generation of Wi-Fi delivers expected speed improvements, the Wi-Fi industry is increasingly shifting its focus to improving the consistency of performance and quality of service. High bandwidth, low latency applications like AR/VR/XR, hybrid work and rich telepresence, and Industrial IoT are experiencing rapid adoption, and countries and service providers are striving to meet the demand for multigigabit service. The cutting-edge capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 will enable innovations that require high throughput, consistent low latency, and greater reliability, and fiber will be a key component to delivering the advanced connectivity of Wi-Fi across home, enterprise, and industrial environments. Join us to learn more about how Wi-Fi 7 and fiber support multigigabit service goals.

Guest Presenter: Kevin Robinson, President and CEO, Wi-Fi Alliance®

With 2023 just about behind us, we will catch up on the year’s major policy, regulatory, and legal events affecting the deployment and affordability of all-fiber networks, and then we look forward to key events for 2024.

Guest Presenter: Thomas Cohen, Legal Counsel, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

The protection of critical infrastructure and sensitive data has become increasingly crucial in the digital age, where cyber threats continue to evolve. Learn how quantum technology can provide tamper-proof data transmission in our increasingly inter-connected world.

Guest Presenter: Dr. Duncan Earl, Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer at quantum networking company Qubitekk

On one hand, 2023 has been a tough year for fiber vendor companies, and stock prices are down. On the other hand, there is talk of deployment records being broken. Why the disconnect? How healthy is the market for fiber in North America? This session will dive into current deployment numbers, details by type of provider, market drivers, and expectations for the future.

Guest Presenter: Michael Render, CEO and Principal Analyst, RVA LLC

Dig-ins to fiber lines are on the rise as infrastructure improvements are being rapidly deployed across the country, causing network reliability issues, and affecting utility services for American communities and businesses. Join the Common Ground Alliance’s (CGA) President and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle for a download on the latest utility damage data and trends, CGA’s new white paper highlighting the telecom industry, and resources and recommendations for reducing dig-ins to your facility and others’. Sarah will share examples of two FBA members who are leading the industry in applying innovative strategies to significantly improve adherence to excavation best practices and reduce damage. To learn more about the Common Ground Alliance – the national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities – visit www.CommonGroundAlliance.com.

Guest Presenter: Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, President & CEO, Common Ground Alliance

As fiber takes center stage in the ongoing work of bringing high-speed connectivity to homes, businesses, and communities, it’s also playing a pivotal role in another fast-moving technology trend: Artificial intelligence. From healthcare to education, from manufacturing to finance, new AI applications are emerging every day. To support these applications, data centers must build a second layer of computing with many more fiber links, according to Mike O’Day, Chief Technology Officer, Corning Optical Communications. O’Day will explain how large-language-model data centers will require up to 5 times more optical connectivity compared with today’s hyperscale architectures. He will also chart the expected capacity growth of the largest hyperscale data centers and describe how Corning’s engineers are creating the next generation of innovations to help operators stay ahead of the growth.

Guest Presenter: Michael P. O’Day, Chief Technology Officer, Corning Optical Communications

Secondary data center markets such as the Southeast US are experiencing unprecedented growth driven by a number of factors. Hear a first-hand account from a regional data center and fiber provider on what is happening now and how the market is responding.

Guest Presenter: Jeff Wabik, Chief Technology Officer, DC BLOX

Machine learning has been pivotal in pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence, paving the way to the Generative AI era. In front of the inherent limitations of classical computers, quantum computing can unlock new capabilities and enable generative AI improvements in the near term. In this session, learn about quantum-inspired and quantum-enhanced machine learning methods and applications developed at Zapata AI throughout its 4+ year-long journey in quantum generative AI. This session delves into the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize what we can achieve through artificial intelligence and showcase examples of what has already been achieved up to now.

Guest Presenter: Marta Mauri, Research Manager, Quantum AI, Zapata AI

As the drive to connect more and more subscribers with high speed Broadband continues, and new consumer applications require more speed, the industry is moving beyond one gig to multi-gig functionality. Fiber providers have a very elegant and simple path to transition from GPON to 10 Gigabits per second XGS-PON functionality. Cable operators, having delivered one gig downstream with DOCSIS 3.1, are now working diligently to provide multi gig functionality with their DOCSIS 4.0 upgrade program. This webinar will examine the status and expected timing of the DOCSIS 4.0 rollout, and the relative economics of deployment for both existing and new network footprints. The disparate ways that fiber and cable operators currently compete will also be examined. Finally, the importance and potential timing of high capacity upstream applications will be examined.

Guest Presenter: Paul Connolly, Telecom and Networks Practice Leader, Entropy, Inc.