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. 

Read More
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.

Read More
Feb 6, 2026 10:00:00 AM
  • Fiber network management
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers

Putting broadband customer experience in the fast lane

Today’s broadband customers expect more than just a fast, reliable connection. They expect flawless service experiences.

For operators, that makes customer experience (CX) the ultimate differentiator. Price and speed still matter, but loyalty is increasingly won, or lost, based on how smoothly you manage your network, how quickly you respond to problems, and how confidently customers feel you’ve got them covered.

Read More
Jan 16, 2026 2:00:00 PM
  • 3-GIS utilities solutions
  • GIS
  • App modernization

How utilities are getting more out of the Esri Utility Network

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

The way utilities manage data today reflects more than a century of innovation shaped by the pursuit of customer service and safety. From handwritten notes on paper maps to advanced tools that calculate restoration times during outages, the methods have changed but the goals remain the same.

Read More
Dec 12, 2025 12:00:00 PM
  • 3-GIS utilities solutions
  • GIS

How utilities are making their field tools easier to use and manage

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 continues to evolve, and in the utility industry, mobile solutions are now everywhere. Many utilities run multiple applications from different vendors, often without a cohesive strategy for managing them. Some are essential, others overlap, and a few may even duplicate functions. So how do you get control of your mobile environment and make sure it supports your goals? The answer is to develop an enterprise mobile strategy. 

Read More
Oct 30, 2025 1:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network industry and markets
  • GIS

Connecting Canada: How local fiber networks are shaping national progress

Across Canada, fiber projects are reshaping how people connect, learn, and work. But behind every new strand of cable lies a complex story of planning, mapping, and coordination. Building a national network means aligning hundreds of local efforts under one connected vision.

That local momentum is adding up. National targets aim to connect 98% of Canadians by 2026 and achieve universal access by 2030.1 It’s a goal built on collaboration, where municipalities, service providers, and engineering teams each play a part in shaping a connected Canada.

Read More
Oct 1, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • 3-GIS utilities solutions
  • GIS
  • Press

Powerful new capabilities now available in 3-GIS | MIMS and Productivity release 5.4

Release 5.4 of 3-GIS | MIMS and 3-GIS | Productivity introduces enhancements in mobile GIS functionality, enterprise network information management support, and user experience optimization. These updates extend the capabilities of both platforms while maintaining compatibility with the latest Esri technologies. 3-GIS | MIMS (formerly SSP MIMS) and 3-GIS | Productivity (formerly SSP Productivity) are now fully aligned under the 3-GIS software portfolio.

Read More
Jul 29, 2025 7:00:00 PM
  • Telecom technologies
  • GIS
  • Employee spotlight

Employee spotlight: Ed Bagnall

People are at the heart of everything we do. Each team member brings their own unique experience, perspective, and passion to the table. That’s why we love taking a moment to spotlight the faces behind the work. This time, we caught up with Ed Bagnall, Managing Director for the EMEA region, to chat about his background, thoughts on the industry, and what he’s excited about in his new role.

Read More