THE CONNECTED AMERICA 2026
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Dallas, Texas, 14 - 15 April 2026
Schedule
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Apr 148:00
Conference pass
Morning Networking Coffee
Exhibit Hall
Welcome to Connected America 2026!Come join us in the exhibit hall for some morning refreshments! Grab a coffee, meet your fellow attendees, and get settled in before our keynote sessions begin.
Apr 148:55
Conference pass
Chair's Opening Address
Keynotes
Bradford Randall, Editor, Total Telecom
Keynote Theatre, Exhibition Floor
Apr 149:00
Conference pass
Government Address
Keynotes
Keynote Theatre, Exhibition Floor
Apr 149:10
Conference pass
Keynote Presentation
Keynotes
Keynote Theatre, Exhibition Floor
Apr 149:20
Conference pass
Keynote Panel: Networks of tomorrow: Building a Connected America
Keynotes
- Fiber,fixed wireless,satelliteand 5G— what role will each play by 2030?
- How can these technologies collaborate to achieve ubiquitous connectivity?
- Discuss building resilient, secure, and sustainable networks.
- How is AI transforming network deployments?
- How to deliver on the promise ofensuring affordability and competition whilst expanding nationwide broadband coverage?
Moderator: Sue Marek, Editorial Director, Ookla
Keynote Theatre, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1410:00
Conference pass
Coffee Networking Break (in the exhibit hall)
Exhibit Hall
Grab a coffee and network with your peers on the show floor!
Exhibition Hall,
Show Floor
Apr 1411:00
Conference pass
State Broadband Offices in discussion: Progress, challenges & broadband initiatives
Connected America
- Discuss the current progress and challenges faced by state-led broadband programs.
- Discuss the progress of BEAD within the panelists' respective states.
- How are states balancing federal compliance with local flexibility and innovation?
- What arestates’ options when it comes to spending non-deployment funds left over from BEAD? How is this money being spent?
Brandy Reitter, ED, Colorado Broadband Office
Connected America Stage,
Exhibition Floor
Apr 1411:00
Conference pass
Expanding connectivity: Creating pathways to digital and economic opportunity
Connected Society
- Discuss addressing access and affordability barriers that restrict digital participation.
- Driving scalable solutions to connect unserved and underserved communities.
- Building strong local partnerships to expand digital and economic opportunities.
Kevin Gunn, Chief Technology Officer, City Of Fort Worth
Bret Perkins, Senior Vice President, Community Growth and Economic Development, Comcast
Room A2, Third Floor
Apr 1411:00
Conference pass
The World Cup 2026: Powering the world's biggest stage
Connected Networks
- Discuss strategies for expanding network capacity to support 5 billion viewers and massive fan surges.
- How are the city, Verizon and FIFA systems coordinating to deliver seamless connectivity from the street to the seat?
- Discuss using real-time data, AI, and 5G to create a frictionless journey for fans and broadcasters.
- Managing cybersecurity risks and building user trust across the world’s largest digital footprint.
Daniel Lawson, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions, Verizon Business
Bryce Carter, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Arlington Texas
Room B2, Third Floor
Apr 1411:00
Conference pass
Smarter networks: How service providers are leveraging AI
AI America
- How is AI helpingservice providersto optimizenetwork performance, resilience, and energy efficiency?
- Using AI-driven analytics to predict demand, prevent outages, and improve customer experience.
- Exploring new revenue streams from AI-enabled services and applications.
Jerome Butler, VP Engineering, Technical Operations, and Network, Comcast
Moderator: Martha DeGrasse, Researcher and Journalist, BWG Global
Room C2, Floor 3
Apr 1411:10
Conference pass
Coffee Networking Break (in the exhibit hall)
Exhibit Hall
Grab a coffee and network with your peers on the show floor!
Exhibition Hall,
Show Floor
Apr 1411:45
Conference pass
Stronger together: Building the leadership pipeline
Connected America
Explore how leadership development and allyship are shaping the future of telecom. Learn practical strategies to strengthen leadership pipelines, elevate talent, and drive lasting impact.
Key takeaways:
- Leadership pipeline as a business strategy
- Mentorship vs. sponsorship
- Creating opportunity and visibility
- What’s working across the industry
To learn more about the WICT Network, check out their website here
Moderator: Amy Evans, Manager, Client Services, Charter Communications
Connected America Stage,
Exhibition Floor
Apr 1411:45
Conference pass
Fireside Chat: The pathway to achieving American AI leadership
AI America
- What progress is being made towards the US’s goal of being the global AI leader?
- How is policy evolving to support this ambition?
- What opportunities is AI presenting across US industries?
Mark Dalton, Senior Policy Director Technology and Innovation, R Street Institute
Room C2, Floor 3
Apr 1412:05
Conference pass
Navigating the BEAD landscape: Pathways to successful deployment
Connected America
- Exploring the realities of theearly stagesof BEAD buildout
- Discuss aligning network design with BEAD eligibility and technical standards.
- How canstatesbest integrate BEAD-funded builds with existing fiber and middle-mile assets?
- Strategies for navigating the complexities of compliance
- Discuss collaborating with vendors and contractors to manage labor and supply constraints.
Nicholas Capozzi, Vice President & State Broadband Director, Arizona Commerce Authority
Lyndsay Moyer, Vice President of State Government Affairs, Comcast
Connor Sadro, Regional Broadband Director, Deep East Texas Council of Governments
Connected America Stage,
Exhibition Floor
Apr 1412:15
Conference pass
Connecting Tribal communities: Infrastructure, autonomy, and innovation
Connected Society
- Strengthening trust and respecting Tribal sovereignty in network planning and deployment
- Exploring models for community owned, tribal governed broadband infrastructure
- Ensuring networks on Tribal lands are designed for long term scalability and self sufficiency
- What is more needed from key stakeholders to support the growth in tribal connectivity?
- Case studies of successful Tribal ISPs building sustainable business models.
Rob Griffin, Tribal Broadband Coordinator, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Moderator: Paul Narro, Public Policy Director, Tekwav LLC Internet Service Provider
Robert Analla, General Manager, Pueblo of Laguna Utility Authority
Linnea Jackson, General Manager, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District
Room A2, Third Floor
Apr 1412:15
Conference pass
How the satellite market is transforming the US connectivity landscape
Connected Networks
- What does satellite’s performance in the BEAD funding competitiondemonstrateabout the market?
- What role can and is satelliteplayingin addressing connectivity gaps in the US?
- Looking beyond residential services, what are the enterprise and government use cases forsatellite?
- Strategies for navigating regulatory challenges
- Technology and network evolution: How arenew technologiesenhancing capacity, resilience and reducing latency on satellite networks?
Manik Vinnakota, VP, Products & Customer Solutions, Telesat
Moderator: Austin Cassity, Client Success Consultant, Performance Culture Consulting
Room B2, Floor 3
Apr 1412:15
Conference pass
Applications of AI
AI America
- How AI is optimizing 5G networks and infrastructure to support high-speed connectivity forvarious industryverticals
- The use of real-time data analytics to enhanceservices and networks
- Balancing the deployment of automated AI solutions with strict data privacy and security standards.
Josh Arensberg, Global MD of M&E, Verizon Business
Gautam Solaimalai, Vice President, Senior Software Engineering Manager, US Bancorp
Room C2, Floor 3
Apr 1413:05
Conference pass
Connected America 2026 Startup Pitching Competition - Pitch 1: Cirrus360
Connected America
Cirrus360 will be pitching live on stage in this year's pitching competition in a bid to securing the Connected America 2026 Startup of the Year Award!
Connected America Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1413:15
Conference pass
Connected America 2026 Startup Pitching Competition - Pitch 2: CleverFi
Connected America
CleverFi will be pitching live on stage in this year's pitching competition in a bid to securing the Connected America 2026 Startup of the Year Award!
Connected America Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1413:25
Conference pass
Connected America 2026 Startup Pitching Competition - Pitch 3: Gigabid
Connected America
Gigabid will be pitching live on stage in this year's pitching competition in a bid to securing the Connected America 2026 Startup of the Year Award!
Connected America Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1413:35
Conference pass
Connected America 2026 Startup Pitching Competition - Pitch 4: LiteLinx
Connected America
LiteLinx will be pitching live on stage in this year's pitching competition in a bid to securing the Connected America 2026 Startup of the Year Award!
Connected America Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1413:45
Conference pass
Connected America 2026 Startup Pitching Competition - Pitch 5: Plekton Labs Inc.
Connected America
Plekton Labs will be pitching live on stage in this year's pitching competition in a bid to securing the Connected America 2026 Startup of the Year Award!
Connected America Stage,
Exhibition Floor
Apr 1414:00
Conference pass
The US data center boom: Who is driving growth and why?
Data Center Forum
- Understanding the market opportunity, currenttrendsand drivers of demand
- Which markets in the US are seeing the biggest growth?
- Where do the biggest opportunities lie for telcos and ISPs; Hyperscale, Edge or AI data centers?
- How and why should ISPs consider partnering with data center providers?
David Robinson, EVP, Strategy & Development, Aligned Data Centers
Moderator: Nick Jessee, Vice President, Cartesian
Mark Gusakov, CEO, The Digital Infrastructure Alliance
John Pasta, EVP, Data Center Solutions, JLL
Room C2, Floor 3
Apr 1414:00
Conference pass
From Build to Buy-In: Turning access into adoption
Connected America
- Discuss shifting the focus from infrastructure rollout to customer growth.
- How do youidentifyand address adoption barriers?
- Discuss strategies for customer acquisition, retention, and building trust in new service areas.
- Usingemergingtechnologies,data, and software to enhance service quality and user experience
Moderator: Bob Knight, CEO, Harry Marketing
Kim Smithers, CMO, IQ Fiber
Apr 1414:00
Conference pass
Rethinking connectivity in MDUs: Innovation beyond the unit
Connected Society
- Out-of-the-boxapproaches tobringing ultra-fast, reliable broadband to MDUs.
- How fiber, fixed wireless, and private 5G can work together to enhance tenant experience.
- Overcoming infrastructure challenges in older buildings andunderservedurban areas.
- Business models and partnerships redefining the economics of MDU connectivity.
Rhia Pape, Executive Director, SA Digital Connects
Moderator: David Bronston, Special Counsel, Phillips Lytle L.L.P.
Patricia Cave, Partner, Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP
Room A2, Floor 3
Apr 1414:00
Conference pass
The future of Open Access networks
Connected Networks
- Isopen accessessential to building modern, flexible infrastructure?
- How doesopen accessshape deployment strategies in the U.S. market?
- Interoperability as a driver of competition and cost efficiency.
- Managing operations and maintenance in complex, multi-vendor environments.
Matt Larsen, CEO, Vistabeam
Jonathan Van, Growth and Business Development, E8 Internet
Shaye Ruitenbeek, Fiber Network Manager, Lehi City
Rok Okorn, Director of the Sector ITBSU, Kontron d.o.o
Room B2, Floor 3
Apr 1414:45
Conference pass
From Resistance to Readiness: Why Communities Need a Digital Infrastructure Framework
Connected America
Ilissa Miller, Editor in Chief, Data Center Post
Peter Murray, Director, Dense Networks
Buddy Rizer, Executive Director - Economic Development, Loudoun County Government
Apr 1415:50
Conference pass
Connecting the country: A 12-month review of the new broadband policy landscape
Connected America
Apr 1415:50
Conference pass
Delivering affordable connectivity for all
Connected Society
- How can CSPs of all sizes support low-income customers and underserved communities?
- Discuss the role of federal initiatives such as the Universal Service Fund (USF) in sustaining long-term affordability.
- Discuss innovative models and partnerships to reduce the cost of broadband access.
Joseph Wender, Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
John Heitmann, Communications and Technology Partner, Nelson Mullins
Ricky Martinez, GM and CEO, Taylor Telecom
Room A2, Floor 3
Apr 1415:50
Conference pass
The Da Vinci Code (of Federal Regulations): Unlocking the Secret Map to Future Funding and Flawless Compliance.
Connected Networks
In the race to connect the unserved, the path is littered with cryptic rules and mandates. This session is not just a lecture; it is a breakdown of the three critical "chapters" every broadband leader must master to ensure their current funding remains secure—and to reveal the "Hidden Map" of upcoming federal opportunities.
Apr 1416:10
Conference pass
Building the network infrastructure to enable AI
Data Center Forum
- Looking beyond the data center, what do next-generation networks need to look like to support AI workloads?
- Building the networks of tomorrow, today: The importance of building future-proof networks
- From Software-Defined Networking to network slicing: What technology innovations will make a real impactinincreasing bandwidth and reducing latency?
- How are CSPs leveraging edge computing to enable AI applications?
Room C2, Floor 3
Apr 1416:10
Conference pass
Financing broadband: Private capital supporting broadband expansion
Connected America
- Discusscurrent investment trends, financing structures, and market opportunities driving the next wave of broadband deployment.
- How can private equity and public markets work together to accelerate broadband expansion?
- Discuss strategies for maximizing ROI in a competitive landscape
George Stegall, VP, Kinetic Ventures
Ben Brockman, Principal, Searchlight Capital Partners
Jonathan Adelstein, EVP, Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer, TWN Communications
Connected America Stage,
Exhibition Hall
Apr 1416:10
Conference pass
Middle Mile matters: Building the backbone of Connected America
Connected Networks
- Discuss strengthening middle-mile infrastructure to support last-mile deployment and nationwide coverage.
- Funding, policy, and partnerships driving middle-mile expansion in the U.S.
- Designing resilient, scalable backbones to meet future bandwidth and latency demands.
Lillian Painter, Broadband and Mobility Manager, City Of Fort Worth
Tom Coker, Executive Advisor, Commonwealth Of Kentucky
Nate Walowitz, Regional Broadband Director/Managing Director, NWCCOG/Project THOR
Moderator: Ripudaman lamba, CEO, Oakwood Consulting
Room B2, Floor 3
Create your personal agenda –check the favourite icon
Apr 158:30
Conference pass
Morning Networking Coffee
Exhibit Hall
Welcome back to Day 2 of Connected America 2026!Come join us in the exhibit hall for some morning refreshments! Grab a coffee, meet your fellow attendees, and get settled in before our keynote sessions begin today.
Show Floor, Exhibition Hall
Apr 159:30
Conference pass
Chair’s Opening Address
Keynotes
Bradford Randall, Editor, Total Telecom
Keynote Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 159:50
Conference pass
Keynote Panel: Designing a Connected America: What’s next for fiber?
Keynotes
- How can you balance growth with overbuild and ROI risks?
- Discuss using AI to improve fiber design, maintenance, and performance.
- Discuss innovative technologies use cases within this space
Roger Timmerman, CEO, UTOPIA Fiber
Moderator: Bradford Randall, Editor, Total Telecom
Keynote Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1510:30
Conference pass
Keynote Panel: The economics of connectivity
Keynotes
- What financing models will ensure sustainable broadband expansion across urban and rural markets?
- How can public–private partnerships deliver both profitability and universal service?
- What role should federal and state incentives play in driving long-term ROI?
Matt Marino, CEO, Ezee FIber
Moderator: Bradford Randall, Editor, Total Telecom
Andrew Crouch, Managing Director, Head of Digital Infrastructure, I Squared Capital
Keynote Stage, Exhibition Floor
Apr 1512:10
Conference pass
The business of rural broadband: Strategies for building profitable commercial models
Connected America
- What are the current challenges facing rural broadband providers in the US?
- Understanding the investor’s perspective: What are investors looking for in rural broadband business plans?
- Exploring the funding and commercial options for addressing gaps left behind by BEAD?
- What role do alternative business modelssuch as cooperatives and public-private partnershipsplay in rural network builds?
- Ensuring adoption and long-term ROI: Are community-centric models the answer?
Claude Aiken, Chief Strategy Officer, Nextlink Internet
SPENCER LANEY, Director of Deployment, TWN Communications
Joe Buttweiler, Chief Strategy Officer, CTC - Consolidated Telecommunications Company
Moderator: Charles Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer, Rural Broadband Partners
Connected America Stage, Exhibition Hall
Apr 1512:10
Conference pass
Empowering the workforce in a rapidly evolving digital economy
Connected Society
- Discuss strategies to prepare workers for ongoing tech adoption.
- How can digital skills training enhance social mobility
- What are the key challengesbusinesses face in workforce upskilling?
- How can you measure the ROI of digital upskilling for employers and employees?
Jeff Gibson, VP of Learning and Development, NCTI
Jeffrey Connor-Naylor, Director, National Skills Coalition
Room A2, Third Floor
Apr 1512:10
Conference pass
Innovations in network deployment
Connected Networks
- What new construction methods, tools, and materials are lowering the cost and time of broadband rollout?
- How can alternative technologies like fixed wireless, LEO satellites, and hybrid fiber-wireless models accelerate last-mile coverage?
- What lessons from state BEAD projects and private builds can be scaled nationwide?
Tony Byrnes, Head of New Build Expansion, GFiber
James Koursaris, General Manager, North America, PRAXEDO
Walt Donovan, VP, Business Development, Dycom Industries Inc
Room B2, Third Floor
Apr 1512:10
Conference pass
Scaling America’s mobile future
Connected Places
- How can US networks stay resilient whilst balancing profit and innovation?
- Discuss early deployment lessons, interoperability, and scaling cloud-native RAN.
- Discuss tackling traffic growth with spectrum, densification, and backhaul.
- Enterprise 5Gusecases today and the roadmap to 6G.
Usman Zafar, Assistant Vice President (ACS) Next Gen Products, AT&T
Anthony Battista, Associate Vice President, Verizon
Room B2, Floor 3
Apr 1512:55
Conference pass
The AI-Rural Network Imperative
Connected America
- The interdependence between Artificial Intelligence and Communication Networks
- How Artificial Intelligence willeffectthe life cycle of a rural network
- The symbiotic relationship between Artificial Intelligence, rural networks, and rural electric providers
- The blurring lines between Middle Mile Networks and Critical Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence
Apr 1512:55
Conference pass
Bridging the Digital Divide: 30 Years of Community Impact in Austin with Austin Free-Net
Connected Society
Apr 1514:00
Conference pass
When Equity is Redlined: How Do We Redefine Opportunity?
Connected Society
Room A2, Third Floor
Apr 1514:00
Conference pass
Investing in the Quantum future: Building America’s next frontier of connectivity
Connected Networks
Quantum technology is no longer a distant vision — it’s fast becoming the foundation for next-generation connectivity, computing, and energy systems. This talk explores how investment, infrastructure, and policy are converging to shape America’s quantum future, highlighting the Texas Quantum Initiative and the Texas Quantum Corridor.
Bullet points:
- The Quantum Shift in Connectivity- How quantum communications, sensing, and security are redefining the digital infrastructure of nations. What this means for carriers, cloud providers, and edge networks
- Texas Quantum Initiative: A State led model for National Impact- Overview of Texas’s leadership in building a co-ordinated quantum eco-system. Role of state policy, research institutions, and industry alliances in acceleratingquantum deployment.
- From theTelecom Corridor to Quantum Corridor- How Richardson’s innovation eco-system is evolving into a quantum hub. Bridging legacy telecom, smart-grid and photonics R&D to create quantum ready infrastructure.
- Capital Pathways: Building the Quantum Investment Stack- Understanding the mix of public, private, and venture funding fueling quantum growth.
- The Road Ahead: Building America’s Quantum Economy- What the next decade of quantum development looks like for investors, innovators, and cities. Why strategic capital and co-ordinated policy are essential for U.S. leadership.
Apr 1514:15
Conference pass
Choosing the right technology approach for addressing rural connectivity gaps
Connected America
- What technologies can beleveragedin a rural setting?E.g.fiber, FWA,satellite
- Strategies for assessing the commercial viability of different technologies and choosing the right technology mix for your project
Jose Barrios, Wireless Network Architect, Frontier Communications
Moderator: Jose Otero, Executive Director, ICT Development Consulting
Jim Nester, Chief Marketing Officer, MCNC
Bill Stueber, Founder & Senior Partner, Telecom Partners Group
Connected America Stage, Exhibition Hall
Apr 1514:15
Conference pass
Building digital skills for the AI-driven economy
Connected Society
- What are the digital and AI-related skills workers will need in 2026 and beyond?
- How can employers, educators, and policymakers collaborate to future-proof the workforce?
- Discuss embedding digital literacy, coding, and AI fluency into education and lifelong learning.
Room A2, Third Floor
Apr 1514:15
Conference pass
Network reliability in an uncertain world
Connected Networks
- How can networks be hardened against climate change, natural disasters, and cyber threats?
- What redundancy strategies and backhaul innovations are critical for uptime?
- How should operators measure and communicate resiliencetoregulators and customers?
Jerome Butler, VP Engineering, Technical Operations, and Network, Comcast
Moderator: Greg Guice, Chief Policy Officer, Vernonburg Group
Joe Hillis, Operations Director, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center
Camille Osborne, Director Ecosystem and Standards Engagement, First Responder Network Authority
Room B2, Third Floor
Apr 1514:15
Conference pass
Smart cities in Texas: Building connected communities
Connected Places
- How are major Texas cities using smart infrastructure to improve transport, energy, and safety?
- What role do public–private partnerships play in scaling projects statewide?
- How can mid-sized communities replicate big-city innovations affordably?
- How can smart city programs ensure benefits reach all Texans?
Chris Lee, Chief Information Officer, City of Lewisville
Room C2, Third Floor
last published: 02/Apr/26 10:05 GMT
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