Telecom and utilities news and perspectives

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Telecom technologies
• Utilities
• Communications service providers

Telecom industry pulse: August 2025 recap

Network news roundup

August underscored the push-and-pull between rapid digital infrastructure growth and the constraints of existing systems. M&A momentum remained strong with regional and national fiber consolidation, while operators like Lumen and T-Mobile expanded their reach into data centers and broadband markets. At the same time, the U.S. grid is feeling the pressure of skyrocketing demand from AI-driven data centers, and advocacy groups are urging regulators to scrutinize big wireless spectrum reshuffling. Across the Atlantic, Openreach is piloting new ways to turn fiber into a multi-purpose sensor grid.

• Utilities
• Communications service providers
• Fiber deployment

Fibre at the core: Powering the smart cities of tomorrow

One global report estimated that the smart city platform market is set to be worth $292.1 billion by 2028, the primary factor driving this growth being various government initiatives to develop digitised, smart city infrastructure.¹ Meanwhile, at a European level at least, FTTH Council reports that full fibre coverage across the continent has reached 74.6%.² As these two trends converge, the message is clear: the future of smart cities and the expansion of fibre networks are not just parallel initiatives—they are fundamentally connected.

• Utilities
• Press
• Customer spotlight

Why a major U.S. utility chose 3-GIS

One of the nation's largest utility companies, serving millions across multiple states, has selected 3-GIS to consolidate its fiber plant data into a unified platform. When an industry leader of this magnitude undertakes a significant operational upgrade, they often face numerous complexities. In this case, the utility company encountered several challenges in managing their extensive fiber network infrastructure, including: 

Article

• Utilities

Matching your network management system with your fiber future

Bringing your physical plant into the digital age

Industry experts agree data governance is necessary to move communication service providers into using their outside plant data for business decisions. The data management strategy must help recognize the value of assets, while allowing for the establishment of policies to ensure data quality, consistency, and availability.¹  In turn, the network management system must allow for the implementation and maintenance of this strategy to advance the business.

Article

• Fiber network design and automation
• Telecom technologies
• Utilities

Avoiding fiber deployment roadblocks in the utility market

Fiber networks are the future for utility companies and co-ops to bring new services to their market. Getting these networks deployed with accurate data to successfully avoid costly deployment roadblocks that could lead to insufficient reports, time loss, and operational frustrations is key to bringing network services to their customers faster and achieving better business operating results. So, what are the possible problems and obstructions utilities could encounter? And what tools are available to help prevent them from disrupting their deployment efforts?