Accelerating the Fiber Future: Key Insights from Fiber Connect 2025

Fiber Connect 2025 delivered what the industry needed—clarity, energy, and direction. Under the theme “Light It Up,” the event brought together a vibrant mix of industry leaders, innovators, and ecosystem partners, all focused on one shared goal: scaling fiber smarter and faster to reach everyone, everywhere.

This year’s conversations reflected a shift from questions of why, to strategic discussions on how—how we design more efficiently, build more inclusively, and sustain more intelligently. From rural connectivity and open access to accelerators powered by AI/ML and global collaboration, the signals were clear: the fiber future is here, and it’s accelerating.

At Cyient, we’re proud to be part of this transformation. Here’s a look at the themes, challenges, and trends that stood out—and how we at Cyient are helping shape what comes next.

• The Next Frontier: Rural & Remote Fiber Expansion

  The industry’s most urgent conversation was clear: connecting the unconnected. Delivering fiber to rural, remote, and underserved areas, particularly in the U.S. and Canada has become a top priority. Yet these regions, from tribal lands to small towns, challenge traditional ROI models and demand smarter, more adaptive deployment.

  This is where government funding programs like BEAD step in, providing essential support while also introducing new pressures: tighter timelines, greater compliance needs, and expectations for cost-efficiency. To succeed in this environment, providers need partners who can:

  • Scale operations quickly
  • Automate planning and validation
  • Develop local talent and minimize manual errors

  Cyient combines AI-driven tools with deep engineering expertise to help overcome these challenges, making fiber rollout not just possible, but sustainable.

• Automation & AI: The Rise of Intelligent Engineering

  AI in telecom is no longer optional—it's foundational. As fiber deployment grows more complex, combining speed with precision is critical. A 2024 NVIDIA survey found that 90% of telecom companies are now engaging in AI initiatives, with nearly half piloting or deploying these solutions. This reflects a widespread industry movement toward more predictive, automated, and cost-conscious engineering practices.

  At Cyient, we’ve made strategic investments in AI-enhanced design validation, predictive quality assurance, and optimization analytics to accelerate timelines and minimize costly errors. These tools empower our teams to:

  • Identify optimal, cost-effective fiber routes
  • Catch design flaws early through automated checks
  • Align resource planning with cost-yield goals

  By streamlining route analysis and simulating build scenarios, we enhance both efficiency and compliance. Yet, we know technology isn’t enough. The contextual judgment of skilled engineers remains essential. Our strength lies in this synergy—intelligent automation backed by expert oversight enabling us to deliver solutions that are not only scalable and precise, but truly deployment-ready.

• Open Access and Consolidation: New Norms in the Fiber Economy

  Open Access Fiber Networks are gaining momentum across the U.S., offering a smarter model for shared infrastructure because duplicating networks isn’t efficient. In Canada, however, policy gaps pose challenges to implementation, even though there is broad support in principle.

  On the open access and consolidation front, the market is seeing landmark deals that are reshaping the fiber landscape. Recent activity announced by AT&T and Lumen reflects a broader trend of strategic realignment. AT&T is doubling down on residential fiber expansion, while Lumen is shifting focus toward enterprise services. These moves highlight an evolving fiber economy driven by scale, specialization, and timing, where adaptability is key to long-term success.

• The Copper Sunset and Global Opportunity

  Cyient is the leading provider of copper reclamation engineering in the U.S., and this business is gaining momentum globally. We’re seeing increased interest, particularly from Tier-1 telecom providers around the world, to monetize aging infrastructure.

  At FiberConnect, conversations also touched on related areas where Cyient brings value, such as:

  • Network optimization
  • NOC services
  • Engineering support for wireless infrastructure
• Canada: A Landscape of Promise and Complexity

  Canada presents exciting opportunities, but also some nuanced challenges:

  • Funding: Political shifts impact program rollouts.
  • Tribal Engagement: Indigenous partnerships require trust, cultural understanding, and continuity.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Intent to support Open Access must be backed by enabling policy.

  Canadian partners have validated our approach, especially our ability to scale quickly and deliver cost-effective solutions. The need is urgent — only 62% of rural Canadian households have access to high-speed internet, leaving the digital divide as a significant barrier. This highlights the critical importance of accelerating infrastructure deployment to ensure equitable connectivity for all communities.

• What’s Next?

  Looking ahead to the next 12–18 months, a few trends are likely to define the networking landscape:

  • Funding acceleration will demand partners who can scale with quality.
  • Global copper reclamation will rise beyond the US.
  • Increased demand for automation in engineering to meet quality and financial pressures.

  At Cyient, we are ready to meet this moment with advanced AI/ML tools, a highly skilled workforce, and decades of proven telecom expertise.

Final Thought

At a time when connectivity is essential for equity, education, and economic growth, fiber is more than a network—it’s infrastructure for opportunity. The coming wave will require partners who can move fast, stay compliant, and deliver with precision.

Cyient is proud to deliver end-to-end engineering solutions by combining deep design and engineering expertise with strong partnerships across the construction ecosystem.

Let’s build what’s next—together. Talk to Cyient today:

About the Author

Vinay Kundaje, Vice President Sales – Connectivity, Cyient

Vinay Kundaje is a senior executive with more than three decades of telecom experience, specializing in strategic alliances, business development, and global program management. He has a proven track record of scaling businesses by aligning cross‑functional teams, leveraging data‑driven strategies, and delivering operational excellence. From launching new offerings to managing billion‑dollar capital programs, Vinay focuses on creating win‑win outcomes that drive revenue growth and long‑term value. Based in Dallas, he blends business acumen with a systems‑thinking approach to deliver measurable, lasting impacts for customers and stakeholders alike.