The Big Picture: Telecom Leaders on 2025’s Network Shift

An ISE EXPO executive Q&A tackles AI-driven buildouts, BEAD’s real-world effects, and hybrid access.

At ISE EXPO 2025, an executive panel examined the forces likely to shape networks in the year ahead. In this Q&A, leaders from Clearfield, Esri, Millennium, TAK Broadband, and Vitruvi Software discuss how AI-driven data center buildouts, BEAD implementation, and hybrid access models are informing planning, investing, and day-to-day operations.

Their responses largely center on three areas: near-term growth drivers, the middle-mile and backbone implications of rising fiber demands, and the role of partnerships in combining fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fixed wireless access (FWA), and satellite.

Topic: The Big Picture

ISE: From your perspective, what are 1-2 key growth drivers that will significantly impact the fixed and mobile networks in 2025?

Anis Khemakhem, Clearfield: It’s almost trite to say it, but AI. Just one example—at the same time ISE EXPO 2025 was happening, Amazon announced it is building 30 huge data centers on 1,200 acres in Indiana. The amount of information moving within and between those buildings is unimaginable. The amount of data entering and leaving the compound is unimaginable. Setting the power requirements aside, interconnecting campuses like that will require much more fiber on premises, between campuses, and to the rest of the world.

Second, BEAD. Despite any of the recent changes to the program, it will clearly impact our industry. Initially, many thought BEAD would be a huge boon to the FTTH segment. It is still likely to cause a big upsurge in FTTH deployment in the next few years. But now we know BEAD is likely to include a significant fixed wireless component. What does that mean for existing wireless and wireline networks? No doubt, middle-mile and backhaul networks will need to be expanded no matter how it all goes down.

Randall René, Esri*: In 2025, two big things are driving growth in both fixed and mobile networks: understanding customers more clearly and making faster, smarter decisions using location data. Telecom companies are under pressure to serve more people, deliver better service, and keep costs down. They need tools that help them work efficiently across planning, building, and operating their networks.

That’s where Esri plays a key role. We help providers see everything on a map—from infrastructure and assets to demographics and demand. This makes it easier to target the right communities, manage complex projects, and make better business decisions.

It all ties back to four big themes:

• People: Making sure services reach the communities that need them most.
• Productivity: Helping teams work smarter and faster.
• Profitability: Supporting better decisions that reduce costs and grow revenue.
• Planet: Helping build networks with less environmental impact.

Esri is not just another tool. We are the spatial foundation that supports telecom growth with clarity and confidence.

Kevin Czaicki, Millennium: As we move through 2025, two notable developments are influencing the future of fixed and mobile networks:

• Foundational Moves Toward 6G: While full-scale 6G implementation is still years away, strategic planning and testing are underway. Much of what was promised with 5G, particularly in speed, latency, and network slicing, will now be carried forward and more fully realized with 6G. These early moves are setting the stage for how future wireless infrastructure will evolve. This is similar to the improvements in 4G leading into the 5G deployment.
• Satellite-to-Device Connectivity: Simultaneously, we are seeing momentum in direct-to-device satellite connectivity. Companies like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper are driving innovation in this space, promising to extend network reach beyond traditional coverage areas.

Although the year is already half over, we do not anticipate major transformative impacts on networks by year-end. The current landscape is reminiscent of the early 2000s, when mobile towers rapidly shifted from copper T-1s to fiber. Today’s middle-mile fiber projects—many nearing completion—are expected to provide more stable and widespread connectivity, especially in rural regions, ultimately benefiting both fixed and mobile access.

Michael White, TAK Broadband: First is the convergence of fixed and mobile networks. We’re already seeing it with products like Verizon’s 5G Home and T-Mobile’s fixed wireless pushing into traditional broadband territory. This shift is blurring the lines between access types and forcing providers to rethink how they compete and bundle services.

Second is the rise of AI-driven use cases. Applications that rely on real-time data processing—like edge computing, automation, and advanced analytics are driving the need for both high capacity and ultra-low latency. That means more fiber, more densification, and more strategic builds.

These trends are accelerating demand for faster, more flexible infrastructure that can support both consumer expectations and enterprise workloads.

Charles Harlow, Vitruvi Software: In 2025, the landscape of network growth will be overwhelmingly shaped by drivers that underscore the essential role of robust, scalable fiber infrastructure:

• The Unstoppable Demand for Pure Speed and Latency Driven by AI and Immersive Experiences: The true catalyst for growth is the exponential increase in data consumption fueled by emerging AI applications, immersive virtual and augmented reality, and the ever-growing appetite for high-resolution content. These experiences demand not just high bandwidth, but ultra-low latency and symmetrical speeds that only fiber can reliably deliver. While 5G expands mobile capabilities, its true potential for enterprise and advanced consumer applications is inherently tethered to a high-capacity fiber backbone. FTTH is the ultimate enabler, providing the foundational infrastructure to meet this burgeoning demand, ensuring a seamless and future-proof experience as AI integrates further into our daily lives and businesses.
The Societal Imperative of Bridging the Digital Divide with Sustainable Connectivity: Beyond commercial drivers, there's a profound societal mandate to deliver equitable high-speed internet to every community. This fundamental need drives significant investment into network expansion, with FTTH leading the charge as the most resilient, high-performance, and long-term solution for broadband access. The focus isn't just on connecting, but on providing meaningful connectivity that supports education, healthcare, economic development, and remote work. While wireless solutions like FWA and satellite offer valuable immediate access in particularly difficult terrain or areas lacking initial economic viability for fiber, they are best viewed as strategic accelerators and value-adds, providing essential stopgap or niche solutions that complement and can eventually be augmented by the superior capabilities of fiber. Our commitment to FTTH is paramount for achieving truly equitable and future-proof digital inclusion.

Topic: Fiber Capacity Challenges

ISE: As large-scale data centers expand into urban, suburban, and rural areas, the demand for high-capacity fiber infrastructure grows. Meeting this need requires scaling middle-mile and backbone capacity to connect data centers and broaden networks. How will this impact your customers’ 2025 strategy and your company’s roadmap?

Anis Khemakhem, Clearfield: From the standpoint of our customers and prospects, middle-mile and backbone capacity will be a huge fiber cable and connectivity driver in the coming years. We are expanding our focus to understanding just what this means to our customers—from the small ILEC in Iowa to the big Tier 1 national accounts. How does it change the product set we offer?

One thing for sure is an expected shortage of the actual glass fiber and, therefore, the optical cable used everywhere in the network. Throughout the history of commercial fiber optics, we’ve seen periods of fiber constraints. We’re likely coming into one of those times, and even the actual connectors to mate the fibers may become scarce.

We work to make sure these macroeconomic factors do not impact fiber builds in the field. We work with our supply chain, vendor alliances, and in-house manufacturing teams to forecast demand weeks and months into the future. That way, we can mitigate—as much as possible—these challenges for our customers.

Randall René, Esri*: As data centers continue to expand into more regions—including rural and suburban areas—the demand for high-capacity fiber is rising fast. Telecom providers need to quickly plan and build middle-mile and backbone fiber routes to support this growth.

This adds pressure, especially when it comes to speed, accuracy, and funding. Esri helps our customers map existing assets, analyze demand, and find the most efficient paths for new construction. We also make it easier to track permits, environmental risks, and project timelines in one place.

Here's how it aligns with the four Ps:

• People: Making sure fiber expansion connects more communities.
• Productivity: Reducing delays through better coordination and faster decision-making.
• Profitability: Avoiding costly mistakes and speeding up return on investment.
• Planet: Identifying lower-impact routes and avoiding sensitive areas.

Esri is continuing to expand its telecom tools and partnerships to meet this challenge. We are building tighter connections with design systems, AI models, and permitting platforms so customers can move faster with fewer surprises.

Kevin Czaicki, Millennium: As data center development expands into urban, suburban, and rural areas, the pressure on middle-mile and backbone fiber networks is intensifying. For Millennium’s customers, this means the following:

• Short-Term Strain on Fiber Availability: Limited fiber counts in certain corridors will challenge project timelines and budget forecasts. Millennium is proactively working with customers to get ahead of this demand, offering engineering support, securing critical materials, and supplying the necessary construction equipment.
• Strategic Alignment with Middle-Mile and Edge Builds: As middle-mile networks and regional data centers come online, we anticipate long-term benefits in the form of improved latency, more competitive pricing, and better access for previously underserved areas.

The expansion of smaller and regional markets is no longer speculative; it is happening now. Our approach is to ensure customers are not only reacting to market shifts but are positioned to lead them.

Michael White, TAK Broadband: As large-scale data centers expand into urban, suburban, and rural areas, the demand for high-capacity fiber infrastructure grows. Meeting this need requires scaling middle-mile and backbone capacity to connect data centers and broaden networks.

For our customers, it means rethinking their 2025 strategy. They’ll need stronger regional connectivity, more redundancy, and partners who can move fast and think beyond local access. We’re putting more energy into middle-mile builds, shared infrastructure models, and speeding up coordination with utilities and municipalities to keep pace. In 2025, success will come from thinking beyond the last mile. The future is about powering the full digital backbone.

Charles Harlow, Vitruvi Software: The unprecedented expansion of large-scale data centers, particularly those powered by the insatiable demands of AI, unequivocally validates and intensifies our focus on pervasive fiber infrastructure. This directly impacts our customers' strategies and our company's roadmap for 2025:

• Fiber is the Only Answer for Data Center Connectivity: Our customers, especially hyperscale and enterprise clients leveraging these expanding data centers, recognize that fiber is the singular technology capable of handling the sheer volume and velocity of data required. They are not merely asking for connectivity; they are demanding ultra-high capacity, ultra-low latency, and absolute reliability from their middle-mile and backbone networks. This means prioritizing investments in new fiber builds and capacity upgrades that support dense, future-proof optical networks, often requiring advanced, high-count fiber deployments and innovative cabling solutions within data center ecosystems.
Accelerated Investment in Middle-Mile Fiber as the Ultimate Enabler: For our company's roadmap, this translates into an accelerated and aggressive investment in middle-mile fiber. As data centers strategically locate in new urban, suburban, and even rural hubs, the critical link to these facilities, and then onward to our FTTH deployments, is paramount. We are prioritizing the deployment of high-capacity, resilient middle-mile fiber that can act as the crucial conduit between these data powerhouses and the local loop, ensuring our FTTH customers receive the full benefit of multi-gigabit speeds and low-latency services. This includes optimizing deployment techniques through advanced trenching, boring, and modular fiber solutions to meet aggressive timelines. Every new data center expansion reinforces our belief that robust fiber infrastructure is not just an advantage; it's a fundamental necessity for meeting both current and future bandwidth demands.

Topic: Hybrid Networks

ISE: How will hybrid networks—combining satellite, FTTH, and FWA—optimize performance and cost in 2025? What role can partnerships and collaboration play in driving success in this area?

Anis Khemakhem, Clearfield: I’m not sure anyone has figured out the perfect combination to satisfy the requirements of the 21st-century do-it-all communications network. And, of course, it’s changing. The way we implement hybrid networks—and even the way we think about them—is advancing every day. But no doubt, from both the providers’ and suppliers’ point of view, coopetition and first-of-its-kind partnerships will be necessary to make it all happen.

Randall René, Esri*: Hybrid networks are becoming the standard because no single technology can reach everyone at the right price or performance level. Providers are blending satellite, fiber, and fixed wireless to close gaps, especially in tough-to-reach areas.

But managing all these technologies together is complex. Esri makes it easier by giving telecoms a full picture of their network infrastructure in one map. This helps them decide which technology works best where, how to connect it all, and how to keep it running smoothly.

This approach supports:

• People: Ensuring coverage and reliability, no matter the location.
• Productivity: Simplifying operations across multiple technologies.
• Profitability: Choosing the right technology for each area to control costs.
• Planet: Reusing existing infrastructure and minimizing environmental impact.

Collaboration is key. That’s why Esri works closely with partners across the telecom ecosystem—from OSS vendors to network designers—to create a shared view of every network element. When everyone can see the same information in the same context, they can work together more effectively.

Kevin Czaicki, Millennium: Hybrid networks are quickly becoming essential in delivering connectivity across varied geographies, particularly in remote areas. During a visit to rural Alaska last year, I saw firsthand how multiple satellite links were being used to create a viable internet experience in the absence of fiber or robust FWA options. Nationwide, similar transformations are underway:

• Fiber Expansion into Remote Areas: Numerous projects across the broader U.S. are bringing fiber closer to some of the most remote communities.
• Satellite Systems Filling Gaps: Starlink is now reporting 100+ uplink/gateway U.S. sites with an additional site, around 21 in 2026. This infrastructure need directly contributes to fiber network growth.
• Upcoming Launches Like Kuiper: Amazon’s Kuiper is expected to begin deployment later this year, adding further dimension to the satellite mix and increasing the demand for local terrestrial interconnects.

The convergence of satellite, FTTH, and FWA technologies creates a balanced solution for performance and cost. Partnerships between satellite providers, ISPs, fiber infrastructure companies, and government agencies will be crucial in ensuring seamless integration and sustainable long-term models.

Michael White, TAK Broadband: Blending satellite, FTTH, and FWA is going to be critical in 2025, especially in markets where pure fiber isn’t practical. The one-size-fits-all model is gone. What matters now is getting people online reliably, not just perfectly.

BEAD is pushing that reality forward. States are starting to realize that reaching every location means mixing technologies. Fiber where it makes sense. FWA and LEO where it doesn’t. That’s how we will optimize performance and cost.

Everyone needs to stop guarding turf and start planning together. The winners won’t be the ones who build the most fiber; they’ll be the ones who build the best network for the use case. For me, this is about functional coverage and speed to impact.

Charles Harlow, Vitruvi Software: In 2025, hybrid networks will strategically optimize performance and cost by leveraging wireless as a powerful complement to our beloved FTTH, ensuring comprehensive connectivity for every scenario:

FTTH as the Performance and Cost Optimization Champion: At the core, FTTH remains our gold standard for delivering unparalleled performance—symmetric multi-gigabit speeds, ultra-low latency, and rock-solid reliability. This makes FTTH the most cost-effective solution in the long run due to its virtually unlimited capacity, lower operational costs compared to legacy copper, and superior resilience. Where possible and economically viable, FTTH is always the preferred foundation for optimizing network performance and providing the best user experience.

Wireless as a Strategic and Valued Complement: This is where hybrid networks shine. While we champion FTTH, we recognize that certain geographic and economic realities can make immediate fiber deployment challenging or unfeasible.

FWA, particularly when powered by a robust 5G core fed by fiber, serves as an invaluable rapid deployment tool. It can quickly provide competitive broadband speeds (e.g., 100-300 Mbps) to suburban or semi-rural areas where fiber is still in the planning or construction phase, or where a full FTTH build doesn't make immediate financial sense. FWA offers a faster time-to-market and can bridge connectivity gaps efficiently, providing essential service until, or as a complement to, fiber expansion.

Satellite broadband, especially advancements in LEO constellations, becomes a critical value-add for the most remote and challenging locations. For the deepest rural areas or places with extreme terrain where laying fiber is prohibitively expensive or physically impossible, satellite offers a vital baseline connectivity option. It ensures that everyone, everywhere, can have access to essential broadband, extending the reach of the digital economy far beyond traditional wireline limits.

The Indispensable Role of Partnerships and Collaboration: Driving success in this hybrid landscape absolutely requires strategic collaboration:

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): These are vital for extending high-speed connectivity to underserved and unserved areas. Governments bring crucial funding (like BEAD programs) and regulatory support, while the private sector brings the innovation, technical expertise, and efficient deployment capabilities. These partnerships ensure that even challenging FTTH builds are financially viable, and where they aren't, the strategic use of FWA and satellite can still bring connectivity.
• Infrastructure and Technology Sharing: Collaborating on open-access fiber networks allows multiple service providers to leverage the same physical infrastructure, optimizing investments and accelerating time-to-market. Additionally, partnerships with technology vendors (e.g., in wireless technology, network automation, and software-defined networking) enable seamless integration and optimization across the different network layers. This collaborative ecosystem ensures that whether it's an FTTH deployment, an FWA extension, or a satellite fill-in, the entire network operates cohesively and efficiently to deliver the best possible outcome for customers.

*At the time of this writing, Randall René was employed with Esri. He is now with Waypoint 33 LLC.

BIOGRAPHIES

Anis Khemakhem
Chief Marketing Officer
Clearfield

Anis has a notable background in strategic roles within the telecommunications and technology sectors. Before his current role as Clearfield’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), he was a prominent leader at Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, serving as the Global Director of Sales. Here, he was instrumental in scaling sales operations for interconnect solutions across aerospace, military, and other high-reliability markets. His previous experience includes a ten-year tenure at Amphenol, where he oversaw business development in technology applications, enhancing sales growth and managing critical client relationships in diverse markets, including wireless and industrial sectors. His work at Carlisle Interconnect Technologies and Amphenol reinforced his commitment to developing high-performance connectivity, including fiber optics, for robust, reliable connections in demanding environments. This dedication aligns with his vision of using technology to solve connectivity challenges, especially in rural and underserved areas. Anis’s technical background, combined with his strategic leadership roles, enables him to drive innovation that makes fiber optic technology more adaptable, efficient, and widely accessible for everyone.

Additionally, Anis has experience in strategic development from his time as Senior Market Development and Strategy Manager at TE Connectivity, where he focused on market expansion efforts, and earlier as a Senior Development Engineer at ADC Telecommunications. This engineering background, combined with his strategic sales and marketing expertise, positions him as a leader who integrates technical knowledge with business acumen to drive growth and operational excellence across complex, technical markets.

Anis’ educational background in mechanical engineering (B.S. from the University of Minnesota) and an MBA in Global Management and Marketing from the University of Phoenix have equipped him with a unique combination of technical acumen and strategic insight, essential for board-level guidance in advancing fiber broadband initiatives.

Randall René
Director, Industry Solutions - Telecom
Esri*

Randall René brings a love of mapping, efficient process design, change management, and over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications and cable industry. Randall has worked in a wide variety of positions throughout his career. He’s worked as a field tech, built and supervised central offices, led infrastructure planning and design teams, and helped lead HQ enterprise GIS innovation and application development teams. When he’s not working, you can find him volunteering in the community or enjoying outdoor activities.

*At the time of this writing, Randall Rene was employed with Esri. He is now with Waypoint 33 LLC.

Kevin Czaicki
Vice President of Broadband Solutions
Millennium

Kevin Czaicki is a seasoned telecommunications executive with over 30 years of experience in network services, engineering, and strategic leadership. As Vice President of Broadband Solutions at Millennium, he leads cross-functional teams to deliver customized fiber-based solutions that drive growth and operational efficiency.

Known for his deep industry knowledge and collaborative leadership style, Kevin has successfully guided teams through complex transformations and plays a key role in shaping sales strategy, technical innovation, and customer success.

Michael White
Vice President of Business Development
TAK Broadband

Michael White leads go-to-market strategies, customer engagement, and growth initiatives for FTTH deployment nationwide. With nearly two decades of experience in the telecom industry, he has built a career at the intersection of operational execution and strategic sales.

Prior to TAK, he spent six years at Congruex, rising to SVP of Sales and Marketing and playing a key role in scaling the company’s national footprint. His earlier roles at CHC Consulting, Vistacare Communications, and Sierra Support Services sharpened his expertise in fiber deployment, project management, and international operations.

Michael began his career managing FTTH builds in Canada and the Caribbean, and studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Nova Scotia Community College. He’s known for building strong partnerships, developing scalable solutions, and turning complex challenges into growth opportunities.

Charles Harlow
Vice President
Vitruvi Software

Charles Harlow brings nearly 20 years of experience in telecom construction, B2B sales, and business development. With a background in both field operations and executive leadership, he has led national initiatives across Small Cell, DAS, FTTH, HFC, and EV infrastructure builds. Charles combines technical expertise with strategic vision to help organizations scale smarter and deliver complex projects with greater efficiency and visibility.

Stay Connected with ISE Magazine 

Subscribe to our newsletters and magazine for the latest telecom insights, explore the current issue for in-depth features and strategies, and register for upcoming webinars to learn directly from industry leaders.