Telecom and utilities news and perspectives

From fiber-to-the-home to utility grid modernization, there’s no shortage of complexity in network management. Planning, design, mapping, permitting, and database integrity all shape how telecom and utility providers deliver reliable service. At 3-GIS, our team contributes daily to advancing the field, bringing a deep understanding of these challenges and the solutions needed to overcome them. Take a look at our take on what’s happening across telecom and utility networks, from fiber mapping software and OSP design software to smarter approaches for telecom network management and utility network solutions.

Industry news and perspectives at your fingertips

May 1, 2026 1:30:00 PM
  • 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. 

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Apr 17, 2026 12:00:00 PM
  • Esri
  • Telecom technologies
  • Telecom Domain Network

What migrating to the Telecom Domain Network actually involves

The Telecom Domain Network (TDN) introduces a new way to model telecom infrastructure within the ArcGIS Utility Network. As organizations begin planning for adoption, a common question comes up: what does it actually take to move existing network data into this new framework?

While much of the conversation focuses on the structure of the TDN itself, the reality is that migration is less about the model and more about how existing data is translated, adapted, and rebuilt within it.

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Apr 10, 2026 12:00:00 PM
  • Esri
  • 3-GIS utilities solutions
  • GIS
  • Telecom Domain Network

Trace capabilities for the Telecom Domain Network in 3-GIS | Web

The Telecom Domain Network (TDN) provides a framework for modeling telecom infrastructure within the ArcGIS Utility Network. As organizations begin working with networks built on this model, an important question is how teams will interact with and analyze the connectivity inside those networks.

One of the most important capabilities for telecom analysis is network tracing. Tracing allows teams to follow connectivity across cables, splice points, and equipment to understand how infrastructure is linked and how services move through the network.

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Mar 6, 2026 12:00:00 PM
  • Esri
  • 3-GIS utilities solutions

Reflections on MIMS data synchronization

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

Mobile technology has reshaped how utilities operate, and the ArcGIS platform has evolved alongside it to support mobile workflows. One of the most common GIS-enabled mobile applications in the utility sector is inspections. 

 

A brief history of the inspection process 

Early mobile inspection workflows were built on ArcGIS for Windows Mobile.1 Utilities created configurable inspection forms that field technicians used to document the condition of gas distribution assets while working in the field.

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Nov 19, 2025 2:00:00 PM
  • Esri
  • 3-GIS utilities solutions
  • 3-GIS telecom solutions
  • Telecom Domain Network

Our top takeaways from Esri IMGIS 2025

The Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference (IMGIS) brought together telecom, utility, and infrastructure professionals looking to build smarter, more connected networks.

For 3-GIS, this year marked a milestone. With the addition of our full utility product line, both telecom and utility teams came together under one roof for the first time. That shared presence reflected what’s happening across the industry as fiber and utility networks converge, facing the same challenges in data accuracy, field coordination, and system integration.

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Nov 10, 2025 12:00:00 PM
  • Esri
  • Fiber network management
  • 3-GIS telecom solutions
  • Telecom Domain Network

What is Esri’s Telecom Domain Network (TDN)?

When Esri introduced the Telecom Domain Network (TDN), it marked an important step forward for modeling communication networks within the ArcGIS Utility Network (commonly referred to as the UN). At the same time, it also raises new questions about how the TDN relates to existing fiber asset management systems, including 3-GIS | Web.

3-GIS has long worked within the Esri ecosystem to help telecom providers get the most from GIS technology. With the TDN emerging, we’re helping lead the conversation on what it means for the future of network management.

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Jul 23, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Esri
  • Fiber network industry and markets
  • GIS

Our top takeaways from the 2025 Esri User Conference

The 3-GIS team just spent the week with over 15,000 geospatial professionals from 130-plus countries at the 2025 Esri User Conference.1 The show brought about conversations discussing integration, fiber rollout hurdles, and the always encouraging success stories. From the booth to speaking sessions and side-hall conversations, a few consistent themes emerged: how can we scale networks faster, protect critical assets, and navigate volatile funding with proven, integrated tools. Here’s a look at the biggest insights and standouts from the week.

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Feb 24, 2023 11:00:57 AM
  • Esri

Interactive storytelling through Esri’s ArcGIS StoryMaps

Creating content that stands out online can be tough, especially as digital content continues to grow as the medium of choice. Choosing topics that resonate with the audience may be able to catch their attention, but telling a story that engages and holds their attention presents another challenge. In response, several companies have put increased effort into creating interactive content–such as having viewers choose which version of an ad they view–while others have developed ways to allow for easier delivery of captivating content. One company you may be surprised to learn has supplied a platform for interactive storytelling is Esri.

Esri’s ArcGIS StoryMaps allow authors to create an immersive experience for the audience, using various forms of media and spatial data to enhance the narrative. Built in guides help ensure stories can be easily ingested by users whether on a desktop or mobile device, and publishing updates is seamless with no downtime involved.

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