Sumitomo Electric has been at the forefront of ribbon splicing technology since its inception. Learn from our splicing experts the best methods to ensure high quality, low loss mass fusion splicing. Featuring our latest models, attendees will get the chance to have hands-on demonstrations with expert supervision.

Attendees will be able to:

- Identify and define different types of ribbon fiber 
- Understand the main challenges associated with ribbon splicing
- Perform a ribbon splice

Presented by: 

Session Chair: Jerry Hogan - Solara Technical

This session will cover the future of connectivity, leveraging AI and automation for secure, reliable, and scalable networks. For over a decade, Verizon has been strategically integrating AI into its operations focusing on enhancing internal efficiencies, elevating customer experiences, and optimizing the network infrastructure. Take a deep dive into how Network Operations is using AI to support fault and performance management, forecast and optimize resource utilization, and mitigate risks across Verizon’s network. 

Session Chair: Marc Durocher - Verizon Communications

McKinsey & Company found that construction remains one of the least digitized industries, costing the global economy $1.6 trillion annually. This session will explore how AI and digital innovations can reshape telecom network construction, enabling broadband providers to overcome traditional inefficiencies, delays, and high costs while enabling providers to scale projects faster and meet federal deadlines while maintaining quality. From AI-driven blueprinting to fully digitized workflows, this discussion will highlight technologies that will change how you look at your future deployment projects.

Session Chair: Mike Meagher - Tempest

Fiber now passes 56.5% of U.S. households, growing to an average of over 45% based on unique passings, according to 2024 survey data. This seminar will help attendees learn how to manage time constraints with active and passive cabinet strategies, enabling connectivity across all terrains and applications.

Session Chair: David Curran - Frontier Communications

As broadband networks rapidly digitize, operators must equip their teams with the data science and analytics skills needed to turn vast data streams into actionable insights. This session explores how big data, AI, and machine learning (ML) are transforming network performance, workforce development, and customer experience. Learn practical strategies to build internal data pipelines, close skill gaps, and future-proof your organization.

Session Chair: Steve Harris - Harris DigiTech Academy & Solutions/Learning Alliance

Customer dissatisfaction due to the inherent limitations of wireless networks is a problem that annually costs fiber broadband carriers millions of dollars in customer support and goodwill. This session will introduce how a fiber alternative to augment wireless networks in the home can improve customer satisfaction at a price point comparable to a home Wi-Fi mesh node. You will learn how one network provider implemented FTTR and how it can improve customer satisfaction and reduce truck rolls.

Session Chair: Greg Harlan - HPT Communications

This session addresses the difficulties of deploying fiber cabling in brownfield MDUs due to structural inconsistencies, tenant occupancy, and aesthetic requirements. It expands the network engineer’s toolkit with innovative, forward-thinking approaches to simplify and accelerate these challenging installations. This session will broaden your perspective on viable design options for MDU cabling projects, share how to complete MDU installations more efficiently with minimal tenant disruption, and increase your confidence in addressing projects previously deemed unfeasible due to building constraints.

Session Chair: Joseph Yeh - Verizon Wireless

NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) is used extensively in joint-use agreements and regulatory rulings. It provides baseline minimum design criteria and is consistently updated to stay ahead of changes in technology and safety. This session will share the most recent updates that are important for communications industry professionals. Learn about the modifications to span powering rules 224B and 344 and the application to current powering architectures; NESC’s role in network reliability and resiliency; congestion and clearance issues around 5G wireless antennas/equipment location and use of Fault Managed Power Systems (FMPS). 

Session Chair:William Kurtz - Norvado Inc.


Gen AI adoption is expected to grow from 19% to 48% within two years. CSPs are projected to increase their Gen AI spending by 6X within two years. Attend this session to learn how Gen AI can be used for network monitoring, network operation management, predictive maintenance, cybersecurity, and fraud mitigation.

Session Chair: Rob Laudati - Render Networks

Learn how to maximize the lifespan of legacy network hardware through repair, refurbishment, and surplus solutions, effectively reducing capital expenditures and mitigating supply chain delays. Gain insights into navigating manufacturer backlogs, leveraging multi-vendor solutions, and streamlining permitting processes to meet BEAD funding guidelines and deployment deadlines. And discover how to manage surplus efficiently and decommissioned equipment to minimize environmental impact, recapture capital, and support cost-efficient, sustainable broadband network expansions. 

Session Chair: Jim Pelegris - SENKO Advanced Components

The fiber optics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.70% reaching $43.02 billion by 2032. A key factor is the widespread adoption of 5G technology, which creates a demand for communication infrastructure that supports high-capacity and low-latency requirements. This session will cover the technological, logistical and cost benefits of using fiber in 5G deployments and help attendees understand how the shift will impact them by sharing deployment examples.

Session Chair: Ryan Kudera - Finley Engineering

This session will share how to design a modular, vendor-agnostic, open-access model as you move to meet your network roadmap milestones. UTOPIA will share best practices for leveraging an open-access active Ethernet network, forecasting and supply chain management processes, staff skill set requirements and network OEM guidelines.

Session Chair: Tim Carli - Endeavor Business Media

Drones with advanced cameras and sensors enable WISPs and ISPs to conduct comprehensive aerial surveys of prospective deployment areas. These surveys provide crucial insights into terrain, obstacles, and environmental factors, facilitating more informed decisions regarding network infrastructure. Learn how you can expedite network deployment and minimize costly errors by replacing time-consuming manual surveys with efficient drone-assisted planning to transform how you run your network. 

Session Chair: Sean Kelly, Light Brigade

According to the 2024 Global State of the Skills Economy Report by Cornerstone, demand for human skills continues to outpace digital skills, with North America seeing a 2.4 times higher demand for human skills. This underscores the market's need for programs that enhance human-centered capabilities alongside the telecom industry’s technological advancements. In this dynamic seminar, you’ll discover the five essential inner tools that drive success, helping you navigate uncertainty, make empowered decisions, and take bold action to lead with clarity in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

Session Chair: Hayden Beeson - Endeavor Business Media

The adoption of AI is on the rise, with AI in telecommunications expected to grow at a CAGR of 28.2% from 2023 to 2030. Whether you're deploying new fiber networks or maintaining existing ones, AI and automation are becoming essential tools in breaking down data silos, integrating third-party data, keeping as-builts updated, and expediting field data capture. You will learn about integrating diverse information streams into a comprehensive and reliable dataset; migrating data between systems without compromising integrity or security and using AI to enhance data capture and reduce manual workload.