FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@aii.org
New Report Shows Fiber Optics Hold Untapped Infrastructure Potential
Washington, D.C., May 22, 2025 –– The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) has released a new report, Broadening Our View on Broadband, revealing how fiber optic infrastructure has the power to unlock widespread economic, technological, and public safety benefits far beyond high-speed internet access. The report argues that undervaluing fiber’s full capabilities – like continuous sensing and Smart Grid integration – may lead to missed opportunities in public safety, economic development, and innovation.
“Fiber is not just for faster internet,” said Benjamin Dierker, Executive Director of Aii and co-author of the report. “It’s the invisible foundation of our energy grid, AI data systems, public safety, and even national security. This report shows policymakers what’s at stake if we limit our view – and what is possible if we broaden it.”
As the federal government reassesses the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, this report makes a compelling case for reevaluating how value is defined in broadband infrastructure. It also highlights critical benefits from fiber that may be missing under the current framework and body of research.
Broadening Our View on Broadband outlines how fiber optic infrastructure enables a suite of multi-use technologies and applications, including:
- Smart Grid Modernization for more efficient, secure, and resilient energy systems
- Support for 5G and mobile networks, ensuring the stability and speed of wireless connections
- Quantum Networking capabilities for the next generation of secure communications
- Data backbones for Artificial Intelligence, allowing real-time processing at scale
- Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS), which transforms unused fiber strands into real-time infrastructure monitoring tools for pipelines, bridges, border security, traffic systems, and more
These applications highlight fiber optic infrastructure’s role as an innovation enabler across sectors, and much more than just a conduit for broadband delivery.
As BEAD faces delays and a “tech-neutral” pivot, Aii’s report urges Congress and federal agencies to account for fiber’s full economic potential and multi-use value. The report calls for:
- Private sector engagement to integrate existing applications such as DFOS
- Smarter economic metrics that measure future-facing, cross-sector benefits
- Program coordination across energy, transportation, and broadband initiatives
- Future research to validate and quantify a broader view of fiber beyond broadband
With demand rising for faster connectivity, smarter infrastructure, and data-intensive technologies, the report affirms that fiber optics are essential to supporting the next generation of innovation and economic growth.
Policymakers, infrastructure planners, and broadband stakeholders are encouraged to read the full report to inform future funding, planning, and coordination efforts.
Broadening Our View on Broadband:Identifying additional benefits from current fiber and future build outs that generate more economic growth and help reduce harm
https://www.aii.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Broadening-Our-View-on-Broadband.pdf
###
The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) is an independent, national research and educational organization working to advance innovation across industry and public policy. The only nationwide public policy think tank dedicated to infrastructure, Aii explores the intersection of economics, law, and public policy in the areas of climate, damage prevention, eminent domain, energy, infrastructure, innovation, technology, and transportation.