Metro Connect 2027 agenda

The fiber industry's growth story is far from over, but the capital environment has changed dramatically. Rising interest rates, increased investor selectivity, and pressure to demonstrate sustainable returns have forced operators to rethink how they fund network expansion, acquisitions, and long-term growth. Today, successful fiber companies are drawing on a wider range of funding sources'from private equity and infrastructure funds to strategic partnerships, joint ventures, private credit, and asset monetization strategies. This panel will examine how operators are securing capital in a more disciplined investment environment and which funding models are proving most effective for scaling fiber businesses. ' What roles are infrastructure funds, private equity, pension investors, strategic partners, and private credit providers playing in today's market? ' How are operators balancing debt and equity to support growth while maintaining financial flexibility? ' What separates the fiber companies that can easily raise capital from those struggling to secure investment?