Telecom and utilities news and perspectives

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Broadband funding
• Press

Telecom industry pulse: May 2026 recap

Network news roundup

May's fiber and broadband news reflected a global industry moving fast. Many publicly funded programs produced their first real connections, major operators made multibillion-dollar consolidation moves, independent providers pushed into new markets, and new legislation raised the bar for broadband funding accountability. Fiber Connect 2026 brought the industry together in Orlando, Florida to make sense of it all.

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Telecom technologies
• 3-GIS telecom solutions

What network operators are weighing after Fiber Connect 2026

Fiber Connect 2026 confirmed what teams across the industry are already feeling: the U.S. fiber build is still very much in motion. Across the show floor, conversations were direct, operators were engaged, and the teams responsible for building, managing, and scaling networks were asking harder questions about the tools they rely on.

• Fiber network management
• Telecom technologies
• 3-GIS telecom solutions

What’s new in the Lio 1 release of 3-GIS | Web

The latest telecom release of 3-GIS | Web, Lio 1, is here, bringing updates across the interface, equipment modeling, and day-to-day workflows.

From a redesigned interface to expanded equipment modeling and workflow improvements, Lio 1 focuses on making tasks simpler and more consistent across the network.

Here are a few highlights.

• Esri
• GIS
• Telecom Domain Network

Our key takeaways from Esri IMGIS International 2026

Last week, we attended the 2026 Esri International IMGIS conference in Frankfurt and joined GIS leaders, telecom operators, and industry partners, all facing the same shift in how networks are managed. The conference gave teams a chance to compare notes. What is working, what is not, and where things are breaking down between planning, field work, and operations. One thing stood out in every conversation. Now more than ever, GIS data needs to actively support the full network lifecycle. It can’t just sit idly in a system of record. 

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Employee spotlight

Employee spotlight: Seth Straayer

At 3-GIS, our work is powered by more than technology. It is powered by our people. From problem-solving behind the scenes to supporting customers and teammates every day, our employees bring the experience, care, and creativity that move our company forward.

In today's post, we're highlighting Seth Straayer, Senior Consultant. We recently sat down with him to learn more about his background, gain his perspective on industry trends, and get his thoughts on where telecom is headed next.

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Broadband funding
• Press

Telecom industry pulse: March 2026 recap

Network news roundup

March’s telecom news cycle centered on rural fiber expansion, tribal connectivity, consolidation among major providers, and continued pressure to remove policy and permitting bottlenecks.

Providers pushed fiber into smaller and harder-to-reach markets, closed out state-supported projects, and continued pairing infrastructure investment with in-home performance improvements. At the same time, policy conversations focused on clearing legacy barriers slowing deployment.

• 3-GIS utilities solutions
• Press

What’s new in the Utilities 5.5 release

The Utilities 5.5 release brings a set of updates across both 3-GIS | MIMS and 3-GIS | Productivity, spanning field workflows and GIS-based network management.

This release builds upon recent updates with improvements across field mobility, GIS editing, and system performance. Together, these updates support how teams manage and maintain network data across both field and office environments.

• Telecom technologies
• 3-GIS utilities solutions
• App modernization

Unilateral recap and recall construction

Editor’s note: Originally published by SSP Innovations under SSP SPANS. Updated by the 3-GIS Team with the current product name, 3-GIS | SPANS, and other revisions. 

Managing electric and communications infrastructure requires constant coordination between pole owners and attachers. In joint use workflows and transfer requests, both parties must exchange information, respond to proposals, and document the outcome.

Structured communication helps make that process consistent.

When proposals follow a defined workflow with standard responses and attached business processes, any user can enter the process midstream and quickly understand its status and history. This consistency also makes it easier for organizations to manage staffing changes and maintain continuity across projects.