2,500+
Attendees
Marc Ganzi: AI will be huge for digital infrastructure
Marc Ganzi's keynote address is always a highlight of Metro Connect, and this year he focused squarely on what AI means for digital infra in North America - saying that 90% of his thoughts today are related to generative AI. Marc shared some startling numbers on future AI, including his expectation that 80% of all data centre power in the coming years will be consumed by AI, a figure that stands at 10% today. Every ten years, according to Marc, the industry gets a massive opportunity to make a difference in how the world connects - 10 years ago it was public cloud, and now it is AI.
Andrew Lipman: asking the tough questions
Metro Connect long-time speaker Andrew Lipman, Partner at Morgan Lewis, took to the stage as the digital infrastructure event opened in Miami – and he has some questions that need answering. Here is his take on 10 pressing issues for the US broadband market that he expects to dominate the conversation this year.
Six 2024 trends from Cowan & Partners
Cowen and Partners is another Metro Connect regular, and the highly-anticipated market forecast was definitely worth a listen. The conclusion was that AI will be huge, good fibre assets command good fibre multiples, and that there are six key trends in 2024: AI demand is 'bonkers', power transmission is an under-discussed issue (there's no point generating power if you can't move it), capital markets are easing, 5G tower spend will be low, FTTH is steady but open access could be huge, and the industry really needs to get the ball rolling on BEAD.
Balancing FTTH demand while mitigating overbuild: striking a balance
FTTH overprovisioning is a risk to profitability, dealmaking and future project financing - but the passings needs to be made. This panel discussed various aspects of achieving this balance in the FTTP and fibre broadband markets, including direct head-to-head competition in markets like Las Vegas and Phoenix, the potential role of fixed wireless in meeting demand, and what the desired end state in the US FTTP market might look like.
How can we thrive in an environment of talent and capital constraints?
Five CEOs came together to discuss how connectivity providers can achieve their aims when both capital availability and talent flows are at a pinch point. Speakers shared stories of unprecedented demand for long-haul fibre pairs - 144 pairs just as a baseline for some - as well as the various tactics to beat market conditions, including creative labour supply and operating with discipline in the coming years. The main conclusion? "Fiber is a good industry to be in for the next couple of decades."
