Telecom industry pulse: January 2026 recap

Network news roundup

January reinforced a trend the industry has been circling for months. Fiber investment is still moving forward, but it is being shaped less by federal optimism and more by private capital, workforce realities, and regulatory tradeoffs. Local expansions continued city by city, global operators posted strong financial signals, and policymakers wrestled with how broadband, AI, and labor intersect in practice—not theory.

Local builds and private investment

GoNetspeed expands Manchester fiber footprint

GoNetspeed announced plans to extend its Manchester, Connecticut fiber network to more than 5,000 additional homes and businesses, backed by a new $1.6 million private investment. The expansion builds on the company’s earlier $6.6 million commitment to the market, where service went live in March 2024 and construction has continued steadily.

The move reflects a familiar playbook among regional fiber providers: deepen coverage where early builds have proven viable, rather than chasing new markets prematurely. In Manchester, GoNetspeed now competes directly with Cox and Frontier, using existing utility poles to accelerate deployment and control costs.
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Private capital continues to carry fiber growth

A new Fiber Broadband Association report found that more than 60% of U.S. households now have access to fiber broadband, with private investment driving much of the recent momentum. Fiber availability grew by 11% in 2025 alone, even as federal funding faced delays and restructuring.

The constraint is no longer just capital. Labor accounts for roughly 64% of above-ground fiber deployment costs and more than 70% for underground builds. Industry leaders say supply chains have stabilized, but skilled workforce shortages and permitting friction remain the biggest obstacles to maintaining build pace in 2026.
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Operator performance and market signals

Shentel completes VATI-funded rural fiber expansion in Virginia

Shentel completed a $50 million fiber expansion in Shenandoah County, Virginia, extending gigabit service to more than 7,000 previously unserved homes and businesses. The project was funded through a mix of Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grants, Shentel capital, and county contributions.

The build highlights how state-led programs are still moving projects forward even as BEAD timelines and rules remain unsettled. For rural communities, the impact is immediate—supporting education, healthcare access, and economic development—while for operators, it reinforces the importance of coordinating grant compliance, construction progress, and long-term network records.
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Community Fibre posts record growth in London

London-based ISP Community Fibre reported a 48% jump in annual revenue to £113 million, alongside a sharp rise in EBITDA and customer growth. With more than 429,000 customers and a take-up rate nearing 32%, the company now claims one in ten Londoners as subscribers.

The results matter beyond the UK market. Community Fibre’s performance is being watched closely as a test case for AltNet sustainability. Strong penetration, lean operations, and expanding wholesale partnerships suggest that competitive fiber models can move past the build phase and into durable profitability.
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Policy, programs, and workforce realities

Maine releases 2025 connectivity report

The Maine Connectivity Authority published its 2025 report amid shifting federal broadband policy and funding uncertainty. Despite disruptions, the state reported meaningful progress: more than 135,000 locations now have high-speed internet access, multiple middle-mile projects are underway, and all Capital Projects Fund builds remain on track for completion in 2026.

Maine also became the first state to offer Low Earth Orbit satellite service as a formal connectivity option, reflecting a pragmatic approach to reaching hard-to-serve areas while fiber expansion continues.
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Workforce emerges as the bridge between BEAD and AI

As Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) funded projects begin moving forward, industry leaders are increasingly focused on workforce development as the limiting factor. Shortages of fiber technicians, construction labor, and digitally skilled workers are colliding with rapid AI adoption across telecom operations.

Several states planned to use BEAD non-deployment funds for training and digital literacy programs, but new federal policy signals and legislative proposals could restrict that flexibility. The concern is straightforward: without sustained investment in people, newly passed homes may struggle to translate into long-term adoption and economic impact.
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M&A and regulatory milestones

Verizon clears California hurdle for Frontier acquisition

California regulators approved Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, clearing one of the final barriers to closing the deal. The decision followed months of careful examination around deployment commitments and workforce impacts.

Verizon agreed to additional reporting and investment measures, including low-cost broadband offerings and small business funding in California. With approval secured, the company expects to close the transaction in late January, setting the stage for a major shift in the U.S. fiber landscape.
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Global scale and connectivity milestones

India surpasses one billion broadband subscribers

India crossed a major milestone at the end of 2025, surpassing one billion broadband subscribers across wireline and wireless services. Growth has been driven primarily by mobile broadband and an aggressive nationwide 5G rollout, with fixed wireless access emerging as the fastest-growing segment.

The scale matters. India’s experience underscores how national policy, spectrum strategy, and infrastructure investment can rapidly expand connectivity—while also highlighting the growing role of fiber backhaul in supporting mobile-driven demand.
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Numbers worth noting

5,000 — New Manchester locations targeted in GoNetspeed’s expansion
$1.6M — Additional private investment backing that build
60% — U.S. households now serviceable by fiber
11% — Fiber availability growth in 2025
48% — Community Fibre revenue growth year over year
1 in 10 — London residents using Community Fibre
135,000 — Maine locations with high-speed internet access
1B — Broadband subscribers in India

From private fiber expansions and workforce constraints to BEAD policy shifts and large-scale operator consolidation, January’s stories show how much hinges on accurate, shared network data. Explore how 3-GIS supports teams planning, building, and operating fiber networks as complexity increases.