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Panel: New Buyers, More Fiber - How AI-first infrastructure is reshaping network demand
AI is creating a new class of network customer. Beyond traditional enterprises, cloud providers, and telecom operators, AI-focused infrastructure developers, GPU cloud providers, model builders, and hyperscalers are driving unprecedented demand for high-capacity fiber connectivity. These requirements extend beyond simple bandwidth, encompassing low-latency routes, diverse network paths, inter-data center connectivity, and access to power-rich locations. As AI infrastructure scales, fiber network operators are seeing demand patterns evolve rapidly, creating new opportunities and challenges across the connectivity landscape. This panel will explore how AI-first infrastructure is reshaping network demand and what it means for the future of fiber deployment and investment.
• Who are the emerging buyers of fiber infrastructure in the AI era, and how do their requirements differ from traditional customers?
• How is AI-driven demand influencing where fiber networks are built, expanded, and interconnected?
• What opportunities and challenges does the growth of AI infrastructure create for network operators, investors, and connectivity providers?