Metro Connect USA has long connected the companies investing in, operating and advancing the infrastructure that powers the digital economy.

Now, for the first time, we're launching a dedicated Next Gen Technology Summit within the brand new Core Networks Stage.

This is your opportunity to join the operators, investors and technology leaders looking at what comes next for digital infrastructure. As AI and data center growth put new demands on networks, the Summit will explore how the industry can unlock greater capacity and performance, get more from existing infrastructure and build smarter, more automated networks. From the technologies reshaping network architecture to successful integration following M&A, you'll be part of the conversations defining how networks evolve, scale and perform in the years ahead.

The Summit concludes with a Happy Hour, giving you the chance to continue the conversation and connect with the operators, investors and technology leaders shaping the next generation of digital infrastructure.

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Marc Ganzi on stage at Metro Connect USA
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09:30
  1. Bespoke session
    Core Networks Stage
    45 mins
10:15
  1. Presentation slot
    Core Networks Stage
    15 mins
10:30
  1. Panel discussion: Beyond more fiber - How can new networking technologies unlock the next generation of network capacity and perfomance?
    Core Networks Stage
    45 mins

     

11:15
  1. Presentation slot
    Core Networks Stage
    15 mins
11:30
  1. Panel discussion: How can operators and investors ensure a smooth integration post-acquisition 
    Core Networks Stage
    45 mins
    In an increasingly active digital infrastructure M&A market, completing a transaction is only the beginning. Whether the objective is expanding fiber footprints, achieving greater scale, entering new markets, or driving operational synergies, the ultimate success of any acquisition depends on effective integration. Yet many deals fail to unlock their full value due to cultural challenges, technology incompatibilities, customer disruption, or delays in capturing planned efficiencies. This panel brings together operators, investors, and M&A leaders to explore the best practices, common pitfalls, and strategic priorities for successfully integrating fiber and digital infrastructure businesses following a transaction. What separates successful integrations from those that struggle to deliver expected returns? What should management teams prioritize during the first 100 days following an acquisition? What role does culture and talent retention play in a successful integration?  
12:15
  1. Panel discussion: How can observability and network automation unlock zero-touch networks?
    Core Networks Stage
    45 mins
    Network automation promises superior customer experience and reduced downtime, without clear visibility of opportunity of fully automated networks may be missed. As networks become more distributed and multi-vendor, operators need real-time telemetry, service-level observability and AI-assisted assurance to understand network behaviour before they can automate remediation. This panel will explore how operators can connect observability, AIOps and closed-loop automation to move from detecting problems to predicting, preventing and resolving them without human intervention.   How do operators move beyond device monitoring and isolated dashboards toward an end-to-end view of network, service and customer performance? How can operators create consistent observability and automation across legacy platforms, cloud-native systems and different equipment vendors? Can better observability and automation demonstrably reduce downtime, truck rolls and mean time to repair while improving service activation and customer experience?
13:00
  1. Networking and refreshments
    Core Networks Stage
    60 mins