Connected America 2024 - Key Takeaways from a Systems Integrator's Perspective

The Connected America conference, held at the Irving Convention Center, provided a comprehensive view into the future of communications industry, particularly spotlighting Fiber and FWA initiatives, which comprised about 70% of the discourse, while the remaining 30% focused on burgeoning wireless technologies, including Private Networks, 5G SA, and O-RAN.

The CXO Keynote Panel: The American Mobile Landscape was a highlight, with insights from Yigal Elbaz (AT&T), Amanda Toman (NTIA), and José Felipe Otero Muñoz (5GAmericas), under the adept moderation of Karmen Rajamani from the Wireless Infrastructure Association. Their discussion spanned AI, fiber optics, 5G deployment, and early considerations for 6G, offering valuable perspectives on the telecom industry's evolution.

Our interaction with Ray Downes of Druid Software marked a significant step towards integrating the Druid Conversed Core into Invences Lab, aiming to enhance interoperability with 4G/5G Open-RAN Vendors. This move aligns with our strategic goals to innovate within the telecom sector.

The engagement with the IEEE team on the IEEE Discovery Point for Communications platform and the 5G/6G Innovation Testbed was particularly enlightening, bolstering our research and development endeavors in telecom technologies.

Discussions with Colin McKinney from Arista Networks and the team from Baicells Technologies, including Alex P., Bob Stone, and Paul Wang, highlighted the potential for future collaborations that align with our pioneering spirit in telecom innovation.

Our meetings with industry leaders from Prodapt, CoreLogic, Axiros, Radisys Corporation, Tejas Networks, and Telaverge Communications emphasized the collaborative nature of the telecom industry and the shared vision for advancing connectivity technologies.

Key sessions included:

• "Digital Texas - The Past, Present, and Future": This panel, moderated by Jake Varn of The Pew Charitable Trusts, explored Texas' digital evolution with insights from Catherine Crago of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin and Bill Zielinski of the City of Dallas.

• "The Business of 5G: Investment Strategies": Martha DeGrasse moderated a discussion with Sergio Adames from T-Mobile, Rashmi Varma from Innovate5G Inc., and José Felipe Otero Muñoz from 5GAmericas on 5G investments, adoption strategies, and the potential of private networks.

• "Addressing the Challenges in the Deployment of 5G’s Most Innovative Use Cases": Presented by Raj Radjassamy from OmniOn Powe(means )r, this session delved into the deployment intricacies of advanced 5G applications, highlighting the synergy between power solutions and telecom technologies.

• "Neutral Host Networks - Closing the Gaps?": A discussion featuring Trevor McLaughlin from Networkfx and Juan C. Santiago from InfiniG focused on the integration of wireline and wireless technologies through neutral host networks to enhance connectivity.

• "Overcoming Barriers to 5G Rollout" and "Marching Towards Standalone 5G - Project Rollout" addressed the practical challenges and strategic approaches essential for the advancement of 5G technology.

Invences Inc.'s Role in Digital Texas and Connected America Fiber Initiatives 

A key focus of Connected America was the ambitious Connected America Fiber Initiatives, aiming for 100% Gig fiber connections to all rural and urban areas by 2030. This bold vision underscores the commitment to eliminating digital divides and enhancing nationwide connectivity. 

As a systems integrator, Invences Inc. is eager to contribute significantly to the Digital Texas initiatives and the Connected America Fiber Initiatives. Our engagements at the conference and ongoing industry efforts reflect our dedication to the digital transformation of Texas and the broader national landscape. We aim to leverage our expertise and partnerships to support the deployment of these critical technologies, fostering economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and bridging digital divides. Invences Inc. is committed to playing a pivotal role in transforming Texas into a digital innovation hub and contributing to the national effort to achieve comprehensive fiber connectivity by 2030.