Network news roundup
December closed the year with a familiar mix of momentum and friction. Operators kept pushing fiber deeper into markets; states worked to clear long-standing permitting bottlenecks, and AI-driven demand continued to shape backbone decisions. At the same time, uncertainty around the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program crept back in, and big carriers made it clear that internal restructuring is far from over.
Policy, programs, and pressure points
GAO ruling puts BEAD back in limbo
A new decision from the Government Accountability Office determined that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) June 6 changes to the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program qualify as a rule under the Congressional Review Act and should have been submitted to Congress for review. Because that did not happen, Congress now has a 60-day window to examine and potentially disapprove of the changes.
The timing is awkward. All states and territories have submitted final proposals, and 32 plans were approved as of early December. A congressional review does not cancel BEAD funding outright, but it injects another layer of uncertainty just as states were preparing to move from planning to contracting. As one regulatory attorney put it, the money will likely get spent eventually—but not on anyone’s preferred timeline. The advice for now is simpler. Do not count on it until it clears.
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Arizona launches statewide permit finder
Arizona rolled out a new “first-in-nation” broadband permit finder, a centralized, interactive map designed to reduce one of the biggest non-funding delays in broadband builds. The tool consolidates agency contacts and permit requirements into a single interface, helping ISPs move faster, especially in rural and underserved areas.
State leaders framed the system as an economic development lever, not just a telecom tool. For providers juggling multiple jurisdictions, the practical impact is just as clear. Fewer emails, fewer phone calls, and less time stalled before construction even starts.
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Ohio prepares RFP for Route 30 middle-mile build
Ohio’s Broadband office announced plans to issue an RFP for a $20 million middle-mile fiber project along the Route 30 corridor. The build will connect Mansfield to Canton and Lima, creating new backbone capacity for providers serving 15 counties.
The project runs near schools, hospitals, government facilities, and major employers and will connect to a central point of presence in Mansfield. The inquiry period runs through early January, with final proposals due in February.
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Operator strategy and market shifts
Metronet reaches three million locations passed
Metronet announced it has expanded its all-fiber network to three million homes and businesses across more than 300 communities in 19 states. Now operating under joint ownership by T-Mobile and KKR, Metronet is positioning itself as both a wholesale builder and operator.
The company says its construction capacity sets it apart among pure-play fiber builders. With additional acquisitions already underway, Metronet’s model points to continued consolidation and shared infrastructure strategies in 2026.
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Infrastructure, builds, and the AI wave
Fiber-to-the-tower demand keeps rising
New data from a recent report shows mobile data consumption nearly doubling by 2031, driven by more capable devices, heavier content, and AI inferencing. That growth puts pressure not just on radio networks, but on backhaul.
Today, roughly 60% of U.S. towers have fiber nearby. Where fiber routes pass close to towers, operators are increasingly adding laterals, often starting with 10G connections and planning for 50G or 100G upgrades. For fiber providers, knowing where towers sit relative to existing routes is becoming a revenue strategy, not just a planning exercise.
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Things to listen to
Hyperscaler demand is pushing to rethink fiber operations
The Ciena Insights Podcast — Episode 88: Mastering MOFN—Lumen and Ciena experts share their insights
In this episode of the Ciena Insights Podcast, leaders from Lumen Technologies and Ciena break down Managed Optical Fiber Networks. The discussion covers MOFN business models, deployment lessons, and why hyperscaler demand is pushing operators to rethink how fiber is owned, operated, and monetized.
If MOFN keeps popping up in conversations and RFPs, this episode helps ground the buzz in real-world experience.
Listen now
Numbers worth noting
- 32 — BEAD state and territory plans approved as of early December
- 60 days — Congressional review window triggered by GAO ruling
- 3M — Locations passed by Metronet’s fiber network
- 60% — U.S. towers with fiber nearby today
- 49 GB — Projected monthly smartphone data usage by 2031
- $20M — Ohio Route 30 middle-mile project budget
From navigating U.S. BEAD Program requirements to planning backbone expansion and managing growing network complexity, accurate GIS-based network data is becoming foundational to how operators plan, build, and operate fiber networks. Explore how 3-GIS supports teams working across planning, construction, and operations.
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