Experts examine the policy frameworks needed to support hyperscale data centers, autonomous transportation, AI-driven services, and mission-critical applications powered by fiber connectivity

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) is proud to announce the Broadband Policy Upload at Fiber Connect 2026. This cornerstone public policy event will take place on Tuesday, May 19, and will explore the policy considerations, programs, challenges, and opportunities shaping industries and technologies that depend on fiber infrastructure.

“Emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping industries like healthcare and agriculture, but without the capacity and low latency fiber enables, they cannot scale from early adoption to widespread, real-world impact,” said Marissa Mitrovich, Vice President of Public Policy at the Fiber Broadband Association. “FBA members will gain invaluable insight into the key policy issues and considerations from experts at the federal and state level, from AI and autonomous vehicles to precision agriculture, telehealth, and aging populations.”

The sessions will feature fireside chats and panel discussions on key topics including:

• Hyperscale Data Center Impact on Broadband Infrastructure Policy – A fireside chat featuring Dan Diorio (Data Center Coalition)
• Autonomous Vehicles and the Information Superhighway – A fireside chat with insights from Alex Poirot (beep, inc.)
• Policy Imperatives Impacting Telehealth, Precision Ag, and Aging – A panel featuring Autumn Lankford Higgins (American Farm Bureau Federation), Sara Raza (University of Washington School of Law), Ramsey Alwin (National Council on Aging); moderated by Chris Champion (C Spire)
• Cybersecurity's New Frontier as New Communities are Connected – A fireside chat with Professor Sascha Meinrath (Penn State University)

View the Fiber Connect 2026 agenda and register here. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Lucy Green at lgreen@fiberbroadband.org. Stay updated by subscribing to the Fiber Broadband Association’s weekly newsletter here.

About the Fiber Broadband Association

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) is the voice of fiber, helping providers, policy makers, and communities make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. FBA is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists. Since 2001, FBA and its members have worked to advance fiber broadband deployment to accelerate innovation and increase quality of life by enabling every community to leverage the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MENA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org.

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