Fiber networks are facing unprecedented demand as multiple market forces converge. Rural broadband expansion, BEAD-funded deployments and the rapid growth of AI data centers are driving a level of demand the industry has rarely experienced. In this interview from Fiber Connect, Will Miller, Director of Global Product Management, Broadband at AFL, discusses how these trends are creating supply constraints and reshaping how operators approach network planning.
Miller explains why early engagement with suppliers and strategic forecasting will be critical to success in the years ahead. He shares insights on managing fiber availability, building stronger vendor partnerships and taking a more comprehensive approach to network deployment. Learn how broadband providers can position themselves to navigate a constrained market, secure critical resources and maximize the opportunities created by one of the industry's biggest infrastructure investment cycles.
Tommy Clift:
All right, Will, thanks so much for being here, Fiber Connect Day 2. It's an interesting year for fiber, obviously you've got competing demands going on for both BEAD build outs and AI hyperscale middle mile. There's a lot of appetite. Tell me a bit about your thoughts on how those constraints are going to play out, how long they might play out.
Will Miller:
I've been in the industry now almost 20 years and I've never seen a time like this, it's wild. Simply exciting, keeps you on your toes. I mean, we're seeing the onset of demand from multiple different places all hitting at once so it's not really cyclical so much, but three different really sources. I mean, 5G densification continues to some degree, but it's really about rural broadband, and then to even great extent, the AI data center boom. All those are hitting at the same time, which you're starting to se fiber counts now 6912 on up. That's just accelerated the fiber demand quite a bit and supply hasn't caught up. We're seeing that trend of fiber going up. Fiber will catch up at some point, but we see this as potentially through the three to five year boom that we're going to have to manage through.
Tommy Clift:
Yeah. I mean, that's a serious constrained environment. For the operators and the people who are getting some of the BEAD money, I suppose how should they be thinking about getting involved in this right now during such a complicated, constrained time?
Will Miller:
Part of the volatility right now, what makes the market so interesting is cable's always been looked at as a commodity. Fiber cable, I go get it from anybody. So now, with all the constraints in place, you've got to engage as a network operator at ISP, engage your suppliers and your vendors early in the process. I've heard the word allocation more times than I could count at this show. Ourselves included, we've used that quite a bit, but we're wanting to work with folks that want to partner with us. We want to use that term partnership truly, meaning a bidirectional partnership, not one way. Transparency, open view of forecast. I was just talking to a BEAD recipient yesterday and they're grasping the fact that they need to be over communicative versus typically just going, "I'm going to shop around for fiber." It's got to have to be on a very accelerated timeline in terms of that communication.
Tommy Clift:
Sure. I mean, within that, within those partnerships, what are you guys really hoping to help operators help these awardees out with? I mean, I know obviously BABA compliance is a big one, but yeah, can you talk through that a bit more?
Will Miller:
Yeah. So when we look at partnership, it's a combination and it's not just widgets. It's not just fiber or just closures. It's a partnership all together as a solution provider. That's where AFL, we're set up in a unique position where we do have fiber plus our connectivity products. We're truly end to end. What we've done is we've partnered with customers to provide that full solution. It provides more value at the end of the day. And in this very, very volatile environment, I hope we don't get choked, but it's one throat to choke if you need to come choke somebody. But I joke, I say that in jest, but it is good to work with a partner that's got the best interest in mind. So we're fully focused, I've been working on BEAD now for going on 40 years trying to prep for it, it's finally here. So now, we just have to have that bidirectional partnership and relationship to make sure that we're doing right by the customers, doing right by the residents who ultimately are going to get served by the service.
Tommy Clift:
Yeah. I mean, constraints in mind, when you do look ahead on the BEAD deployment timeline, what do you really feel like will separate the successful from the choke, like you said, you just can't get through it?
Will Miller:
Yeah. I mean, the folks that are positioned well and that are engaging vendor partners early in the process are going to ultimately be the ones that win. We are in a constrained environment. Our position is based off the modeling that we've done, there is enough domestic fiber capability to support the entire BEAD program. That said, it's not all coming at once, it's spread over four years. It's going to require some strategic planning. So ideally, yes, there's enough fiber out there, there's enough cable capacity out there to support it, but it's got to be planned for. The folks that plan, engage vendor partners earlier are going to be the ones ultimately the most successful, and at the same time, working with your vendor partners to understand the full solution set and working with them to get full supply. Again, folks don't need to be thinking fiber, fiber, fiber, because that's the hot topic of the day. BEAD demand is going to come in for all types of products so we got to make sure we're positioned strategically with our customers.
Tommy Clift:
Well, Will, thanks so much for taking the time. Really appreciate it.
Will Miller:
Yeah, Tommy. Appreciate it, man. Thank you.