Open Access Day 2025

Join Open Access Day 2026

Open Access Day 2025 took place on June 1, 2025

Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM – in partnership with Fiber Connect 2025
Attendance: Free- Invite your network!

In 2025, we leveled up! With the open access model gaining real traction across the U.S., we could welcome over 150 attendees during the day and more than 200 guests at Open Access Bar – from across the investor, operator, and ISP ecosystem.

THE DAY | 12 pm to 5 pm | Insight. Connection. Momentum.

Doors opened at noon with a light stand-up lunch, offering the first opportunity to connect with key industry players. The keynote began at 12:30 PM, followed by an engaging afternoon program featuring:

• 12pm-1 pm | A keynote session from an industry thought leader and lunch

• 1pm-4 pm | Three high-impact, highly interactive expert panels

• 4pm-5 pm | A post-panel networking session with beer and wine

AGENDA

Keynote – The Consolidation Race: Could an Open Access Approach Accelerate Success?

Insights from Isak Finér, CRO, COS Systems

As fiber investments surge, a wave of M&A activity is driving the next phase of growth. With consolidation accelerating, what role can the Open Access model play?

Traditionally, Open Access separates infrastructure, operations, and services to foster competition. Could this approach also guide smarter consolidation — keeping local ISP brands while unifying backend operations?

With over a decade of Open Access expertise, Isak Finér will explore these ideas in his keynote, followed by an open discussion.

Panel I – Is Open Access Becoming a Blueprint for Last-Mile Fiber Network Investments?

Driven by moves from mStreet Fiber, a Meridiam company, and AT&T’s partnerships with Ubiquity, Prime Fiber, and Digital Infrastructure Group, wholesale models are gaining ground in last-mile deployment. What’s fueling the shift? How big can this get?

Speakers:

• Nokia – Chris Ennis, Business Development Manager
• Fujitsu – Ray Diaz, Engagement & Analytics Leader
• Digital Infrastructure Group – Rahul Bhardwaj, Managing Partner
• COS Systems – Adam Puckett, VP of Sales – North America
• Capcon Networks – Shawn McLoughlin, Director of Sales

Moderator:

• Ciena – Trey Hall, Senior Consultant, Business Development

Panel II – Lessons from the Frontlines: Do’s and Don’ts of Open Access Networks

Real-world insights from Open Access veterans on what to embrace — and what to avoid — when planning, launching, and scaling Open Access fiber networks.

Speakers

• Bonfire – Brian Hollister, Co-Founder & CEO
• Alpha Innovations – Rich O’Brien, President
• TAK Communications – Kim McKinley, Chief of Staff
• OciusX – Pär Cedergren – Board of Directors

Moderator

• Arcadis – Keith Ponton, Telecoms & Media Cabinet Leader

Panel III – Exclusive ISP Agreements: Smart Strategy or Missed Opportunity?

Some Open Access networks launch with multiple providers. Others opt for a single, exclusive provider during the early rollout phase.

In this session, both ISPs and network owners share lessons from their experiences. Is one approach better — or does it all depend on market context and goals?

Speakers

• Intellipop – Aaron Hildreth, Founding Member
• Silverlight Fiber Networks – Jason Jenkins, VP Open Access
• Crisp Fibre – Rudolf Pretorius, CEO & Founder
• Ting – Wes Groll, Manager, Construction and Operations

Moderator

• Calix – Teresa McGaughey, Vice President of Global Field and Partner Marketing