Connect the Middle Mile

As deployment of broadband and edge services in under served areas accelerates, middle-mile optical networks serve as the critical bridge between core and access networks.

Join experts from Pioneer, NW Colorado Council of Governments, Ribbon, and Ekinops to hear how utilities, governments, and network operators are using the latest optical transport architectures and technologies to solve the challenges of rural connectivity.

Why Attend

• Architecture & Requirements – Understand access-agnostic, scalable, service-aware design and the unique reliability and flexibility requirements of the middle mile.
• IP over Optical – Debate the tradeoffs against dedicated optical transport and understand the practical challenges of multi-layer IP/optical topologies.
• Real-World Deployments – Hear how operators tackle challenging topologies between IXs/DCs, mobile backhaul, and hundreds of rural sites, including 100G/400G demands from places like the growing Oklahoma Spaceport.
• Operations & Automation – Examine how NMS, provisioning templates, and real-time alerts maximize the productivity of lean rural teams.
• Economic Impact & Funding – Learn how BEAD/RDOF and regional coordination with co-ops and municipalities help expand network footprints to support education, healthcare, and local growth.

Meet the Speakers

Nate Walowitz – Regional Broadband Program Director – NWCCOG

Steve Copeland – Division Manager of Engineering – Pioneer

Mitchell Simcoe – IP Marketing – Ribbon Communications

Guillaume Crenn – Product Line and Marketing Director – Ekinops

Kyle Hollasch – Lead Analyst Transport Hardware – Cignal AI