The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click . This episode is sponsored by and .
In a recent episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sat down with Fayyaz Patwa, Vice President of Sales Engineering for Nokia, to discuss how cutting-edge fiber and wireless technologies are transforming broadband access in rural America. With over two decades of telecom expertise, Patwa shared real-world success stories, industry insights, and Nokia’s vision for bridging the digital divide.
Meeting the Needs of Rural Providers
Patwa leads Nokia’s nationwide sales engineering team focused on regional service providers. He emphasized that while rural geographies may differ across the U.S., the core needs of these providers—reliable, scalable, future-ready infrastructure—remain consistent. Nokia’s commitment to supporting these carriers is evident in its approach to flexible deployment, future-proof platforms, and hybrid network models that integrate both fiber and wireless technologies.
AI Everywhere: Insights from the Road
Fresh from events like CES, MWC Barcelona, and the 100-year celebration of Bell Labs, Patwa observed a powerful trend: AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s embedded in every aspect of network evolution. From AI-powered wearables to smarter, more adaptive broadband infrastructure, Nokia is actively pushing the envelope on how AI can enable better customer experiences, network efficiency, and future service delivery.
Fiber-First, But Not Fiber-Only
Patwa reaffirmed his support for fiber as the gold standard in broadband delivery, citing its longevity, performance, and sustainability. However, he acknowledged that one size doesn’t fit all—especially in areas like rural Montana or the Dakotas, where population density and terrain make fiber deployment challenging. In these cases, fixed wireless can be the right tool, and Nokia provides both technologies to ensure communities get the right-fit solutions.
Success Stories: BerryComm and Outer Reach Broadband
Two standout projects illustrate Nokia’s real-world impact:
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BerryComm (Indiana): Nokia deployed a 55-mile fiber ring supported by its 1830 optical DWDM system, enhancing connectivity across the provider’s network and laying the groundwork for scalable expansion.
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Outer Reach Broadband (Maine): Originally a fixed wireless provider, Outer Reach transitioned to a future-ready fiber-to-the-home solution using Nokia’s G-PON and XGS-PON technologies. With symmetrical 10 Gig service and Nokia’s Altiplano access controller plus Wi-Fi 6 integration, the deployment reflects a shift toward hybrid, high-capacity networks even in low-density areas.
Fiber’s Future: 25G, 50G, and Beyond
Looking ahead, Patwa shared Nokia’s vision for next-generation passive optical networks. While 25G PON is already available and being deployed, he noted that 50G and 100G PON are on the horizon—with technical and economic challenges that still need to be addressed. Nokia is actively investing in R&D to ensure customers can scale without costly rip-and-replace cycles. The key is future-proofing infrastructure today to meet tomorrow’s demand for ultra-high-capacity services, including edge computing, AR/VR, and AI-driven applications.
Broadband as a Catalyst for Rural Growth
Patwa emphasized the broader social and economic implications of closing the digital divide. From supporting remote education and telehealth to enabling smart farming and attracting data center investments, broadband is foundational to rural revitalization. As massive AI-enabled data centers increasingly move into rural areas to access power and space, regional ISPs have a unique opportunity to monetize their networks and deliver enterprise-grade service—provided they have the right infrastructure in place.
Final Thoughts
This episode paints a vivid picture of what’s possible when innovation meets intention. Nokia’s technologies—and the vision of leaders like Fayyaz Patwa—are helping to ensure rural America doesn’t just catch up, but leaps ahead in broadband access and performance. As Patwa says, the future of fiber is not only bright—it’s essential.
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