Registration opens and networking begins at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

Billions of dollars are allocated for last mile service to rural America. An estimated 42 million Americans will for the first time in their lives have access to high-speed internet. The importance of creating middle mile architecture capable of supporting this new capacity and services cannot be overstated. This panel will discuss the need for rural middle mile infrastructure and the perils of not having it when millions of new last mile services are deployed.

Join us for an opening keynote address delivered by NTIA’s Doug Kinkoph. With oversight of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's monumental $48 billion allocation, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, and Digital Equity Programs, Kinkoph will bring his expertise and insight to the challenges and rewards of implementing broadband connectivity in 2024 and beyond.

Experts will share their first-hand experiences navigating the BEAD process, including applying for initial grants, as well as communications with state broadband offices. They’ll share what they’re seeing on the ground level, including differences in approaches across the nation, tips for structuring bids, and avoiding the pitfalls of competing for a share of government funding.

When it comes to broadband expansion, no one needs to go it alone. Cox Communications has decades of experience building and running networks, but last year it struck its first lease-operate partnership with a private entity, 85-year-old cooperative Indian Electric Cooperative, which serves members in seven Oklahoma counties. Hear from both partners on how the relationship works, what challenges they’ve overcome and how the innovative approach has accelerated broadband in the communities.

With the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund doling out $10 billion to states, territories and Tribal governments for broadband expansion efforts, get a full download on how the initiative is progressing as states open up bids and announce awards for providers of all sizes. Time is of the essence as all projects using Capital Projects Fund dollars must be completed by 2026.

Leaders in the trenches take the stage to provide updates on their latest BEAD endeavors and how you can benefit from their experiences.

Cablefax’s 2023 Public-Private Partnership honoree altafiber has brokered more than a dozen P3 arrangements over the past few years. Its partnership with the City of Dublin involves an investment of roughly $35 million in a fiber optic network providing 10 gigabit internet service. Dublin will be the first completed fiber high-speed broadband service area of comparable size in the central Ohio region. This undertaking, coupled with Dublink, the 100-Gig Fiber Optic Network available to Dublin businesses, will make Dublin the most connected City in the U.S. Hear how it all happened.

With BEAD funding intricately linked to providing affordable options and the looming possibility of the ACP program discontinuation, our experts will dissect available alternatives and innovative approaches to meet this critical provision.