Digital Infrastructure Investment

Digital Infrastructure Investment 2024

'All-in' on Open Access

Thursday, September 19, 2024, 8:30a - 3:30p ET

Clyde's of Gallery Place, 707 7th St. NW, Washington, DC
Registration only $245

You also 3 months' access to the Broadband Breakfast Club (a $297 value). Existing Breakfast Club Members take $100 off the in-person event.

Registration Only $245

Panel 1: Lessons from Middle Mile Open Access

Although the United States has been slow to adopt last-mile open access networks, wholesale activities have been significant in the middle mile for some time. What lessons can the last-mile take from the middle-mile?

Nathan Walowitz, Regional Broadband Program Director, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG)
Tad Deriso, President & CEO, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC)
Other panelists have been invited

Panel 2: Should BEAD Preference Open Access?

The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program prefers fiber deployments, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration encourages states to adopt selection criteria promoting the provision of open access wholesale last-mile broadband networks. What, if anything, have states been doing to prioritize open access fiber?

Purnell Carter, Technical Director, Office of Broadband and Digital Equity, Baltimore City Office of Information & Technology

Panel 3: Broadband Options in Rural America

Open access is often considered impractical for rural America. Is this truly the case? Are there examples of success? What have existing operators done to enable rural success? And what role should wireless and other technologies play in rural broadband access?

Mark Vasconi, President, Vasconi Consulting LLC
Other panelists have been invited

Panel 4: Bringing it All Together

This final panel will bring together the financial, legal, operational, software and marketing and sales components of open access networks. What piece-parts and players are necessary for a single company or organization to implement a successful open access project? How does this change in the case of a public-private partnership?

Scott Layman, CEO, Meridiam Fiber
Other panelists have been invited

Sponsors:

GFiber delivers fast, reliable, fairly-priced and open fiber internet service, prioritizing customer service and speed. GFiber started in 2010 as a Google-driven experiment to catalyze the gigabit internet ecosystem, and has since pioneered the gigabit and multigig internet future. For more than a decade, GFiber has maintained its $70/1 Gig base internet plan without any rate increases, and remains committed to bringing the best internet experience to customers in nearly 20 states with plans to further expand. You can find more information, check availability in your area and compare plans at www.fiber.google.com.

The Fiber Broadband Association is the voice of fiber. As the premier association that focuses solely on fiber, we are relentless in our work to connect every American with fiber. Because only fiber can close the digital divide, and unleash economic development that will raise the quality of life for every single one of us — providing education and job opportunities; eliminating poverty; creating sustainability and enabling innovations we haven’t even thought of yet. Fiber ensures no one gets left behind.

UTOPIA (Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency) Fiber is the group of 11 Utah cities that joined together in 2004 to build, deploy, and operate a fiber to the home network to every business and household within their communities. Their network provides blazingly fast Internet speeds, phone, and television services. Using an active ethernet infrastructure and operating at the wholesale level, UTOPIA Fiber supports open access and promotes competition in all broadband and telecommunications services. It is the largest open access network in the United States.

Why 'All-in on Open Access'?

Open access networks are gaining greater traction nationwide. In additional to major players entering the market, existing open access entities are thriving, as more cities and regions are committing to open access. Under this model, multiple ISPs can offer services over the same broadband infrastructure. The promise is greater innovation and competition, and easy entrance into the market for some.

Broadband Breakfast Leads in Open Access Coverage

Broadband Breakfast has been at the forefront of reporting on Open Access Infrastructure for more than 10 years, long before it became a mainstream topic in the telecom world. Our dedication to this crucial aspect of digital infrastructure development sets us apart:

Comprehensive Analysis: From investment opportunities, technical details to policy implications, we cover all aspects of Open Access development.
Expert Insights: Our team has cultivated a network of industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators in open access, bringing you unparalleled expertise.
Consistent Reporting: For more than a decade, we've continuously tracked the evolution of Open Access initiatives across the United States.
Pioneering Coverage: We recognized the potential of Open Access models early, providing in-depth analysis when few others were discussing the concept.

Join us at the Digital Infrastructure Investment Summit to tap into the Broadband Breakfast community of knowledge on Open Access and connect with those shaping the future of broadband infrastructure.

More information about Digital Infrastructure Investment?

Digital Infrastructure Investment Speaker Bios

Panel 1: Lessons from Middle Mile Open Access

Nate Walowitz is an innovative telecommunications and technology program executive serving as the Regional Broadband Program Director for the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG). Since 2014, his NWCCOG Broadband technical advisory role to local governments has led to the deployment of broadband services in unserved and underserved communities across Colorado. This has brought over $40M in state grant funds to NW Colorado community broadband projects. In early 2020, Mr. Walowitz created and launched Project THOR a publicly owned open access middle mile transport network. The Project THOR cooperative network has brought over 800G of resilient transport capabilities to rural communities across 10 counties in NW Colorado. Project THOR supports mission critical public safety communication, local government
broadband access, smaller ISPs, and local governments to support operations and last mile broadband deployments.

Tad Deriso focuses on larger business and economic development projects and partnerships, maintaining positive relationships with MBC stakeholders and providers of capital, and expanding MBC’s relationships with regional, national, and international organizations. He has been involved with the rural telecommunications industry for over 20 years, working with rural telecommunications providers and cooperatives. He brings a deep understanding of the issues and resource needs surrounding broadband, wholesale optical transport services, and rural economic development issues.

Panel 2: Should BEAD Preference Open Access?

Purnell Carter, Sr., is the Technical Director for the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity, a division under the Baltimore City Office of Information & Technology. In this role, he is instrumental in advancing Baltimore City’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, overseeing both short-term and long-term technical initiatives. His efforts are focused on expanding the city's middle-mile infrastructure, implementing fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) solutions for low-income housing
communities, developing free wireless zones in targeted areas, and ensuring the sustainability of these vital resources. With over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his position. He is passionate about serving the community and is committed to
closing the digital divide in the city, where he has strong ties. His work is dedicated to ensuring that all residents have access to reliable and affordable broadband services, thereby fostering greater digital equity throughout Baltimore.

Panel 3: Broadband Options in Rural America

Over his 40-year career, Mark Vasconi has a long history in telecommunications in both the private and public sectors. He was AT&T's Senior Director of Government Affairs in Alaska; served for over a decade as the Directory of Utility Analysis at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission; and for the last two years of his career, he served as the Director of the Washington State Broadband Office. Mark has both a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Montana where he focused on regulatory economics and antitrust analysis. While Mark retired in January of this year, he brings an informed perspective to the issue of broadband deployment to rural America.

Panel 4: Bringing it All Together

Scott Layman is CEO of Meridiam Fiber. He is a senior fiber industry executive with over 25 years’ experience and a proven ability to lead organizations, raise funds, improve operational efficiency and to more effectively leverage organizational assets to improve profitability for technology and telecommunications companies in both the North America and Europe. Under Scott’s leadership, Meridiam Fiber will pass approximately 500,000
premises in Memphis, Central Indiana, Alabama’s Black Belt Region and
suburban Edmonton. A leader in P3 infrastructure development, Meridiam Fiber
is designing, building, financing and managing utility-like open wholesale access
fiber networks in communities traditionally underserved by legacy telecoms
providers.