Global tech firms boost U.S. fiber networks for AI future
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant shift in the telecom industry, with system integrators focusing on expanding fiber networks for U.S. customers.
Abhishek Shankar, president of Tech Mahindra’s Communications Business for the Americas, emphasized that AI’s success hinges on robust fiber infrastructure.
“The future of AI will, to a large extent, be based on the quality of fiber,” Shankar stated.
Peters Suh, senior managing director at Accenture, echoed this sentiment, noting a clear connection between AI adoption and increased fiber demand.
“It probably will accelerate the demand for fiber,” Suh said, adding that this growth was already underway before AI tools like ChatGPT gained traction.
Fiber: The solution to network bottlenecks
Olu Adegoke, global managing partner at Infosys Consulting, highlighted how fiber helps prevent network bottlenecks caused by the massive data demands of AI applications.
“The network choke will be avoided through fiber,” Adegoke explained.
He pointed out that companies driving AI innovation require substantial broadband capacity and computing power to avoid disruptions in data transmission.
System integrators collaborate with U.S. telecom providers
System integrators such as Tech Mahindra, Infosys Consulting, and Accenture are playing a pivotal role in supporting U.S. broadband operators as they scale up fiber deployments.
These integrators provide expertise in planning and executing complex network rollouts, ensuring seamless operations and scalability for telecom providers.
Lessons from global fiber deployments
Tech Mahindra is leveraging its experience in European fiber rollouts to assist U.S. providers with their expansion efforts.
“We have learned a lot from the way Europe rolled out the whole fiber strategy,” Shankar said.
However, he acknowledged that adapting these strategies to the vast and diverse U.S. geography presents unique challenges.
Speed matters: The race to deploy fiber
According to Adegoke, timely deployment of fiber offers a competitive edge for telecom operators.
“Time to market is a very strategic advantage,” he said, noting that being the first provider in a region makes customer acquisition easier and more cost-effective.
Latecomers face higher costs in both deployment and marketing efforts to attract subscribers.
Fiber networks fuel AI growth and digital equity
System integrators are not only enabling the AI revolution but also helping bridge the digital divide through initiatives like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Their expertise is critical in meeting rising demands for high-speed connectivity while positioning telecom providers for long-term success in an AI-driven future.
As AI adoption accelerates and broadband equity initiatives expand, system integrators are emerging as key players in building the next-generation fiber networks essential for technological advancement and connectivity across the U.S.
