The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo catches up with Kim Morrison, Vice President of Growth and Customer Delivery, and Ben Poppie, Vice President of Outside Plant (OSP) at Circet USA, at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville. Together, they discuss the latest trends in broadband deployment, investment shifts, and how global expertise is shaping U.S. fiber rollouts.
Circet USA emerged through the acquisition of KGP Services three years ago, bringing decades of telecom field experience into a larger, vertically integrated infrastructure powerhouse. Kim explains how the merger positioned Circet for growth across the U.S., building on Circet’s operations in 12 European countries and deep expertise in fiber network construction and engineering.
Ben adds that while Circet’s outside plant division is still maturing in the U.S., the benefits of vertical integration—especially their sister-company relationship with KGP for materials and logistics—have already given them a competitive edge.
Much of the conversation centers on the industry’s current state of flux, particularly around BEAD funding, tariffs, and long lead times. Kim and Ben agree that despite lingering uncertainty, most providers are still moving forward with design, permitting, and early build plans. What’s changed, they note, is investor sentiment.
Private equity interest surged early in the BEAD cycle, drawn by the promise of billions in federal investment. But as deployment timelines extend, some investors—especially those new to telecom—are getting cold feet. Ben points out that veteran operators remain committed, recognizing that fiber builds are long-term infrastructure plays, not fast returns.
One of the most exciting parts of the discussion is how Circet is integrating AI into fiber network design. Drawing on innovations from Circet Ireland, their U.S. teams now use AI to analyze KMZ files, run design simulations, and identify more cost-effective build paths. According to Ben, AI is already helping reduce material costs and streamline planning for complex deployments.
But it’s not a silver bullet—yet. The team emphasizes the need to train these tools, validate their outputs, and gradually build confidence in AI-driven automation. For now, AI is most impactful in design. Future use cases—like quality control in the field, redlining, invoicing, and documentation—are on the horizon but not yet fully realized.
Beyond design and build, Circet is seeing strong interest in operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts. Customers increasingly want turnkey solutions—handing over network upkeep, municipal coordination, and service issue response to trusted partners like Circet. While they don’t currently offer NOC services, Circet does provide community-facing call centers to handle construction-related concerns.
This demand for managed services further supports Circet’s vertically integrated model, allowing them to support the full lifecycle of a fiber network.
Workforce development remains a major challenge. As Ben explains, the flood of broadband projects across the U.S. has stretched talent thin. Finding skilled field workers is harder than ever, and quality has become a growing concern. On the supply chain side, Kim credits Circet’s relationship with KGP Co. for helping them stay ahead of material shortages, although past issues with lead times and tariffs still cast a shadow.
Looking ahead to Fiber Connect 2026, Kim is optimistic. She expects BEAD momentum to pick up significantly, with awards granted and construction underway. Circet also sees continued opportunity in the data center market, where investor attention is heating up.
Pete closes the episode by asking for conference advice. Kim recommends coming prepared—review sessions in advance, identify key people to connect with, and don’t miss the opportunity to continue conversations after the panels. Ben’s advice is simpler: wear comfortable shoes and come in with a plan.
© 2025 Enhanced Telecommunications.
