Built for Community Broadband Leaders Like You
The Funding Came Through. Now Comes the Hard Part.
ISE EXPO 2026 brings together the operators, engineers, and policy leaders who understand what it actually takes to build broadband that serves communities for decades—not just grant windows.
WHO THIS IS FOR
You've secured the BEAD funding or state program dollars. Now you're executing—managing contractors, evaluating technology, navigating supply chain timelines, and making decisions that have to hold up for 20 years, not just through the compliance period.
If you're a broadband program leader, municipal broadband manager, state broadband director, rural co-op executive, or BDO leader, we have conference sessions built for your work.
WHAT YOU'RE SOLVING IN 2026
- Executing BEAD-funded builds while managing contractor relationships and grant compliance requirements
- Designing networks that are financially sustainable long after the grant window closes
- Evaluating fiber, FWA, satellite, and hybrid models for underserved coverage
- Navigating complex mapping, reporting, and regulatory requirements with a lean team
- Avoiding stranded assets by prioritizing converged, shared infrastructure that multiple providers can leverage
YOU'LL LEAVE WITH
- A clear-eyed framework for why one-time federal funding may fall short of 10–20 year network viability—and the two strategic decisions that can change that
- Operator-tested approaches for protecting build schedules and grant compliance when supply chain delays hit
- Field-proven technology-neutral OSP deployment frameworks for rural and suburban markets
- Practical strategies for doing more with less staff using AI-driven automation and remote network management
- Connections with vendors, operators, and advisors who understand public-sector broadband from the inside
FEATURED SESSIONS
Here's a sampling of what's on the agenda for you:
Confronts the sustainability question directly: why one-time federal funding may fall short of 10–20 year network viability, and the actions that can future-proof your broadband strategy beyond the subsidy cycle.
Practical Engineering Frameworks for Technology-Neutral OSP Deployment in Rural and Suburban Markets
Field-proven deployment frameworks across fiber, wireless, and hybrid technologies — designed for the real terrain and resource constraints of rural and suburban markets.
Supply Chain Strategies for Faster Broadband Deployment
Supply chain delays on funded builds aren't just an inconvenience — they're a threat to grant compliance and project viability. Operator-led panel on what's actually causing stalls and how to protect your schedule.
Enhancing Performance with Cross-Training: Bridging Engineering and Construction
Workforce development and talent gaps are a persistent challenge for rural providers and municipal broadband teams working with limited staff.
PRE-CONFERENCE LEARNING LAB | August 18 | Limited Seats | Free with Full Delegate Registration
Leading Convergence: How Leadership Shapes the Networks of Tomorrow
A practical framework for aligning teams, overcoming cultural resistance, and turning broadband strategy into measurable community impact. Especially relevant for executive directors and program leaders managing multi-stakeholder projects.
Sign up required — separate from conference registration