As the broadband industry enters one of its largest infrastructure investment cycles, network operators are facing a challenge unlike anything seen before. At Fiber Connect 2026, AFL's Director of Global Product Management for Broadband, Will Miller, talks with Fierce Network TV to discuss how converging market forces, including BEAD-funded broadband expansion and the rapid growth of AI infrastructure, are driving unprecedented demand for fiber and changing how providers should approach network planning.
According to Miller, today's market is unlike any point in his nearly 20 years in the industry. Rather than experiencing the traditional cyclical fluctuations that have historically influenced fiber demand, the industry is now seeing multiple high-growth markets accelerate simultaneously. Continued 5G network expansion, large-scale rural broadband deployments funded through the BEAD program, and the AI data center boom are all placing extraordinary pressure on the fiber supply chain.
These drivers are increasing the need for higher fiber-count cables and creating supply constraints that Miller expects the industry will need to manage for the next three to five years. While manufacturing capacity will continue to expand, the pace of demand means providers must begin planning well in advance to ensure projects remain on schedule.
One of the biggest shifts, Miller explained, is how broadband providers must think about procurement. Fiber has traditionally been viewed as a commodity that could be sourced from multiple suppliers with relatively short lead times. Today's market, however, requires a fundamentally different approach.
In a constrained supply environment, providers can no longer afford to wait until construction is ready to begin before engaging manufacturers. Instead, Miller stressed the importance of building true partnerships with suppliers early in the planning process.
“AFL wants to work with those who want to partner with us,” said Miller. “We want to use that term partnership, meaning a bidirectional partnership, not just one way.”
That means network operators should openly communicate deployment schedules, anticipated demand and evolving project timelines rather than treating procurement as a transactional purchasing exercise. As BEAD deployments accelerate, Miller noted that providers will need to be "over-communicative" with their vendor partners, giving manufacturers greater visibility into future demand so they can better allocate production capacity and help keep projects on schedule. Open forecasting and ongoing communication create greater certainty for both manufacturers and network operators as deployment timelines continue to evolve.
Miller also emphasized that partnership extends well beyond purchasing fiber cable alone. Successful deployments require a complete network solution, not simply individual products or "widgets."
“AFL is set up in a unique position where we have fiber plus our connectivity products. We're truly end to end,” Miller explained. “We’ve partnered with customers to provide that full solution. It provides more value at the end of the day.”
Working with a single partner capable of delivering an end-to-end solution can simplify procurement, improve coordination across product categories and reduce supply chain complexity during a constrained market. It also enables providers to plan for the full scope of a network build—from fiber and connectivity to terminals, splicing and test equipment—rather than sourcing products independently as demand increases across the industry.
Looking ahead, Miller remains optimistic about the industry's ability to successfully execute the BEAD program. AFL's market analysis indicates there is sufficient domestic fiber manufacturing capacity to support the program's overall demand. However, success will depend on strategic planning rather than assuming products will always be immediately available.
Providers that develop realistic forecasts, engage vendor partners early and communicate openly throughout the planning process will be best positioned to navigate supply constraints. Combined with an end-to-end solutions strategy, this collaborative approach can help broadband providers maximize one of the most significant infrastructure investment opportunities the industry has ever experienced.