Broadband Pulse

Debra Freitas, CEO of Light Source Communications, on being a dark fiber resource for hyperscalers

Debra Freitas, CEO of Light Source Communications (LSC), has a simple view of its role as a dark fiber provider: a primary hyperscale and data-center resource on a growth path. LSC is a carrier-neutral, customer-agnostic provider focused on designing, building, and operating custom dark fiber infrastructure purpose-built to deliver capacity for GPU-dense clusters, minimal latency for real-time processing, and diversity to ensure network resilience.
The dark fiber provider’s metro rings in Phoenix, Tulsa, Las Vegas, Kansas City and Indianapolis, as well as its long-haul route linking Tulsa and St. Louis, are delivering connectivity to support hyperscalers, neoclouds, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and other High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications.
Growth is clearly a priority for LSC. In April, LSC announced its latest dark fiber route, bridging Amarillo, Texas, with Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Tulsa, Oklahoma — the third new dark fiber build LSC has commenced this year. Construction is currently underway on dark fiber networks in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tulsa. Additionally, in June, LSC completed a 35-mile ring in Kansas City.
Broadband Pulse recently caught up with Freitas to discuss how Light Source Communications is building new fiber routes based on customer demand and how dark fiber can transform the surrounding communities where data centers are located.
Here’s a timeline for the interview:
Opening/Introduction | 0:00
LSC’s dark fiber | 0:39Freitas addresses its role as a dark fiber resource for the hyperscale and data center space.
Prioritizing fiber builds | 3:03LSC is building out new fiber routes based on customer demands.
Regulatory/permitting challenges | 4:50LSC is taking a proactive approach to getting ahead on permitting by engaging regional vice presidents and right-of-way specialists in each market it serves.  
Competitive differentiation | 7:36Freitas notes that it can stand out from other wholesale providers by focusing on supplying dark fiber to hyperscaler data center providers.
Enterprise service opportunities | 8:42While they are slower to adopt, LSC sees the potential to extend dark fiber to local governments and educational institutions.
Smart city potential | 10:03A city could use LSC’s dark fiber for a private fiber backbone.
Workforce issues | 10:17LSC has created a deep staff of experienced technicians and network planners to ensure it can complete projects on time and on budget.
Working with ISPs |12:42LSC notes the potential to provide ISPs with a fiber backbone that would enable them to connect to major data centers and technology hubs.
Network maintenance and co-location services | 13:53How its managed network service capabilities ease the strain for its customers.
Final thoughts/closing | 15:52
About our guest Debra Freitas, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, has led Light Source Communications (LSC) since 2014, overseeing business development, strategic planning, and customer relationships for the dark fiber network owner-operator. A recognized leader in the technology sector, Debra was named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500 and has received multiple honors from the TITAN Women in Business Awards, including Platinum recognition for Outstanding Chief Executive Officer and Gold for Outstanding Female in Digital Transformation. She was also recognized by the TITAN Business Awards in 2025 for her leadership and impact in digital transformation. She earned a Bronze Stevie® Award for Best Female CEO of the Year that same year, when LSC was additionally named a Silver Stevie® Company of the Year. A University of Michigan alumna, Debra is an active member of the Arizona Technology Council, Women’s Tech Forum, and iMasons. She lives in Michigan with her husband and three children, where they enjoy traveling and supporting Michigan football.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Show Daily 3 Fiber Connect 2026 news roundup

In the third and final episode of the Fiber Connect 2026 show-daily podcast, we're chronicling the last day and wrap-up of the Fiber Connect 2026 trade show.
Here’s a breakdown of the episode’s key moments:
0:00 Opening/Introduction
0:13 | New market researchFiber Broadband Association research highlights the requirements for fiber broadband in precision agriculture.
1:30 | Fidium’s Fiber DriveSarah Davis, Vice President of Marketing Development at Fidium, discussed its community-centric approach to expanding its fiber network presence.
2:27 | Quantum and AI We noted that our colleague Matt Vincent, Editor-in-Chief of Data Center Frontier, covered Fiber Connect’s focus on quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
4:07 | Keynote Dr. Michio Kaku gave a speech on the connection between fiber and quantum computing technology.
4:38 | Final panelThe Infinity and Beyond AI Quantum and Telecom panel featured speakers from Gigapower, Cisco and Emtelle.
5:14 | Wrap up and Closing
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Show Daily 2 Fiber Connect 2026 news roundup

In the second episode of the Fiber Connect 2026 show daily podcast, we're tracking key trends during the show. 
Here’s a breakdown of the episode’s key moments:
0:00    Opening/Introduction
0:50    Florida’s broadband promiseLeo Garcia, Director of the Florida Commerce Office of Broadband, opened the second day of Fiber Connect, highlighting Florida’s progress in connecting underserved and unserved communities.
1:16    Editor’s panelsOur colleague Matt Vincent, editor of Data Center Frontier, hosted “A Data Center Without Connectivity is an Expensive Warehouse” with DC BLOX CTO Jeff Wabik.
1:36    FBA’s Fiber FeudFBA’s Fiber Feud finalists then competed for the championship title, and the Guardians of Connectivity Team proved that instant communication and quick response are advantages both on the broadband network and in game-show teamwork. 
2:15    Broadband Forum’s QoE effortCraig Thomas, CEO of the Broadband Forum, on developing standard mechanisms to ensure Quality of Experience in broadband.
3:01    MCNC’s Tracy Doaks, president and CEO of MCNCDuring our conversation, we discussed how broadband is essential for telehealth and for connecting research institutions to data centers in rural areas.
4:06    Fiber Broadband Association’s (FBA) annual awards programThis year’s winners were celebrated at the 25th Anniversary Awards Gala on Tuesday evening at Fiber Connect 2026. 
4:48    ISE’s Connect the Unconnected AwardPresented by Lightwave’s colleagues at ISE Magazine in collaboration with Corning, the award was presented to Chris Brooks, Senior Director of Operations at GoNetspeed.
6:29    Closing
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Show Daily 1 Fiber Connect 2026 news roundup

In the first episode of the Fiber Connect 2026 show daily podcast, we're tracking key trends during the show. 
Here’s a breakdown of the episode’s key moments:
0.00    Opening
0:47    Editor’s panelsOur colleague Hayden Beeson, editor of ISE, and I moderated panels during the first day of the show: Common Construction Roadblocks and How to Avoid Them and Edge Compute and Digital Transformation Across Sectors.
1:33    Broadband Forum activitiesThe Broadband Forum hosted four BASe workshops focused on the latest key industry topics.
1:50    Broadband Forum CEOLightwave spoke with Craig Thomas, CEO of the Broadband Forum, about wholesale fiber broadband and quality-of-experience (QoE) visibility across different networks. 
3:08    FBA researchFBA’s Technology Committee developed a white paper, Upgrading MSO Networks to Fiber to the Home (FTTH): A Technical Perspective, examining deployment models, technology options, and operational considerations for Multiple System Operators (MSOs) evaluating long-term network upgrades.  
4:40    Workforce developmentHow the FBAs' on-demand platform delivers scalable education to support the workforce needs of fiber infrastructure deployment.  
5:32    New fiber broadband productsDuring the event, we’re seeing new customer premises equipment, MoCA gear and PON from Adtran, Calix, Clearfield, Harmonic, InCoax, and Vecima.
7:20    Fiber Broadband 2026 Coverage page Lightwave will have a coverage page of the Fiber Connect 2026 event on our site at www.lightwaveonline.com.
7:43    Closing Tune in each day during Fiber Connect 2026 for more insights into the fiber broadband industry's key trade show. 
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

CIR’s Lawrence Gasman sizes up CPO and quantum computing's potential

If you want a broad look at the evolution of today’s optical networking industry, look no further than Lawrence Gasman, president of CIR.
In this latest episode, the Broadband Pulse sat down with Gasman, who has been conducting forecasts on enterprise computing, telecommunications, optical components since the late 1970s when he founded the firm. One of his latest pursuits has been quantum technology.
During our time together, we talked about his view of the OFC trade show, co-packaged optics, quantum computing, data center powering issues, optical M&A and, of course, AI.
Key moments in this episode
0:00    Opening
0:24    Introduction of our guest
0:30    CIR backgroundLawrence Gasman, president of CIR Research, provides an introduction about the evolution of the research company.
3:36    OFC 2026 Gasman shares his thoughts about the optical industry’s premier trade show.”
6:39    Co-packaged optics potentialGasman sounds off on the role and commercial potential of co-packaged optics for data centers and other environments.
10:05 Community data center battles How optical innovations can alleviate power issues and the political issues surrounding data centers.  
16:28 The M&A FactorSuccessful M&A is not about technology, but rather effective management skills.  
18:38 Quantum technology Addressing the connection between quantum computers and quantum networks.24:03 Final thoughts/closingGasman shares his final thoughts on where the optical industry is headed.  
About our guestLawrence Gasman is President of CIR, the technology forecasting and market analysis firm he founded in 1978. For more than four decades, CIR has provided authoritative guidance and market forecasts covering enterprise computing, telecommunications, optical components, and—more recently—quantum technology. In 2025, CIR expanded its coverage of emerging technologies by acquiring the publications division of Inside Quantum Technology, further strengthening its position as a trusted source of market intelligence in advanced technologies. CIR’s research is known for going beyond industry hype to explain how new technologies create real business opportunities. Its reports analyze how innovations generate new revenue streams, simplify complex processes, and deliver measurable value to organizations. CIR studies also include detailed profiles of leading suppliers, analysis of key legislation and public policy developments, and coverage of important investment and funding trends shaping the technology landscape.
Lawrence Gasman has been widely quoted in leading industry publications and has written numerous articles and four books on technology markets and technology policy. He is a frequent speaker at major industry events, including the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) and conferences organized by Inside Quantum Technology. He has also helped organize IQT conference programs and has presented in webinars hosted by Lightwaveonline and other industry organizations. In addition to his work as an analyst and author, Gasman has testified before the U.S. Congress and has advised the White House on technology and industry policy issues. Gasman holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Manchester and advanced degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and the London Business School. He lives near Richmond, Virginia, with his wife Cynthia, a university professor. He travels widely and has delivered talks and consulting engagements across North America, Europe, and Asia.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com/podcasts and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Phononic on balancing power, cooling demands to meet insatiable AI demands

In this new Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked with Matt Langman, SVP and general manager of infrastructure solutions at Phononic. 
About the PodcastIn the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com/podcasts and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Axyom.Core gives wireless operators a new 5G core upgrade path

Wireless network operators are in an ongoing evolution. Traditional wireless operators are expanding their 5G footprints while exploring new converged wireline/wireless bundles. They are also facing new competition from cable companies that are getting very involved in building out wireless network services to complement broadband.
At the same time, Tier 1 wireless operators like Verizon are finding other avenues to enhance their reach by offering private wireless networks to a host of manufacturing companies, airports, ports and healthcare providers. Verizon Business, for example, won a contract to build multiple private 5G networks at Thames Freeport, one of Britain's busiest shipping and logistics centers.
But the wireless industry overall faces a key challenge with Microsoft’s decision to wind down the Affirmed Networks application portfolio, which it initially acquired in 2020. This has placed new urgency on both large and regional carriers that relied on these platforms for 4G and 5G service delivery. 
In this latest Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked to Jim Collier, Vice President of Sales at Axyom.Core about how it can help wireless operators upgrade their networks in a way that will create even stronger wireless competitors.
Key moments in this episode
0.00    Opening
0:03    Introduction of our guest
0:33    Axyom.Core’s focusJim Collier provides an overview of Axyom.Core’s approach to helping wireless operators develop a 5G core.
2:49    Addressing Microsoft’s telco transitionsHow Axycom.Core can help wireless operators affected by Microsoft's offloading of telco applications, including Affirmed Networks, to focus on telco cloud.
7:40    Wireless core network transitionHow the company can help 5G wireless operators manage multiple network elements and keep their networks up and running.
9:29    Consolidating 4G and 5G networks The company can support hardware or cloud platforms as a 3GPP-compliant private network.
11:52 Market opportunities Wireless operators, not just MVNOs, are benefiting from network disaggregation.
15:40 Private wireless network opportunities Axycom.Core is working with systems integrators to provide software technology for network slicing and analytics.
19:34 Final thoughts/ClosingJim Collier shares his final thoughts on the evolution of the next-gen wireless network opportunity with Broadband Pulse.
About our guestJim Collier is a senior technology executive serving as the Vice President of Sales at Axyom.Core, a company specializing in 5G core and radio solutions, is based in Morristown, NJ. As VP of sales, Collier focuses on strategic sales and business development, particularly regarding 5G technology, according to Axyom.Core. As a seasoned professional with expertise in driving revenue, building service provider relationships, and managing sales operations in the telecommunications industry, he held management positions at Casa Systems and has been involved in industry transitions at Affirmed Networks. 
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com/podcasts and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

PwC on how the new telecom M&A wave reflects an industry inflection point

Whether the focus is on enhancing a network foothold in additional markets, expanding an existing product line, or refocusing on serving a market segment such as fiber-based broadband, vendors and service providers actively pursued new M&A deals to meet these goals.  
PwC noted in its Media and telecommunications: US Deals 2026 outlook that in the second half of 2025, M&A activity “saw a marked uptick” that was “driven by more favorable financing conditions, strategic portfolio realignments, and a rejuvenated investor appetite for premium intellectual property.”
In 2025, AT&T, Charter, and Verizon announced three large deals. AT&T reached a deal to acquire Lumen’s consumer fiber assets, while Verizon acquired Frontier, and Charter is working to complete its merger with Cox Communications.
By acquiring Lumen’s mass-market fiber business for $5.75 billion, covering about 1 million existing and 7 million planned locations, AT&T puts itself on a path to reach  to reach 60M fiber locations by 2030. Likewise, Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier enables it to scale its fiber reach and create new converged service capabilities. Finally, Charter’s pending deal with Cox will create a larger provider with 69.5 million locations passed (57.2 million for Charter and 12.3 million for Cox).
In this new Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked to Daniel Hays, principal, Consulting Solutions at PwC about the telecom M&A landscape.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Semtech on solving the optical industry’s capacity problem

In this podcast, we spoke with Amit Thakar, vice president of signal integrity product marketing at Semtech, about the shift from DSP-based to linear optical architectures and other issues.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

LightRiver on serving multi-generation, multi-layer networks

Since it was founded in 1998, LightRiver has made a name for itself in its ability to consult, commission, automate, and optimize multi-vendor, multi-generational and software-controlled networks. One of the company’s recent highlights is its Prism software product. Prism simplifies the complexities of multi-vendor, multi-generation networks, empowering stakeholders to streamline operations and make informed decisions for future success.
LightRiver won a 2026 Lightwave Innovation Review award for its Prism product, a customizable, user-friendly application for optimizing multi-vendor, multi-generation fiber optic networks.
One of Lightwave's Innovation Reviews judges said the platform could be beneficial in fiber-starved scenarios.”
In this latest Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked to two industry veterans about how to help service providers be proactive in managing their diverse networks: 
· Jim Brinksma, senior vice president of software solutions at white Light River
· Marcelo McAndrew, VP of Software Product Management at LightRiver
Key moments in this episode
0.00    Opening
0:03    Introduction of the guests
0:57    PacketLight’s multi-layer network approachHow PacketLight’s Prism software platform focuses on multi-vendor, multi-generation, and multi-layer networks.
1:42    Collecting network dataPrism can make the data it collects actionable, helping businesses save money, drive revenue, and reduce time to market.
2:47    Prism’s spectrum optimization featureLightRiver’s spectrum optimization helps service providers better utilize their resources today and in the future.
4:39    Prism’s spectrum capacity search This feature allows providers to visualize the optical spectrum and optimize it to maximize performance in an existing network.
5:36    Managing M&A How Prism can pull information from different APIs across network platforms and aggregate them into a single platform.
9:19    The quantum computing opportunity LightRiver sees 2026 as the year when the quantum opportunity starts to ramp.
11:18 Final Thoughts/ClosingJim Brinksma and Marcelo McAndrew share final thoughts and expectations for the OFC 2026 trade show with the Broadband Pulse.
Meet our guests
Jim Brinksma, senior vice president of software solutions at white Light RiverJim Brinksma has over 20 years of software experience spanning the Department of Defense (DoD), SaaS start-ups and operators, financial services, and telecommunications. In this role, he is responsible for driving the global expansion of LightRiver’s software automation and productivity solutions portfolio. Jim’s previous roles include Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Megaport, co-founder and CTO of InnovoEdge (acquired by Megaport), VP of Strategy and Business Development at Ciena BluePlanet, VP of Sales Engineering and Customer Operations at Ciena, VP of Network Products and Strategy at Goldman Sachs, and seven years of service in the United States Navy. Jim’s doctorate is from the University of Maryland. He also completed the Strategy and Innovation Program at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, the Non-Profit Board Leadership Program at Harvard Business School, and is a National Association of Corporate Directors’ Board Leadership Fellow.
And 
Marcelo McAndrew, VP of Software Product Management at LightRiverMarcelo has eight years of leading software teams to develop the next generation of products and services, spanning cybersecurity, blockchain, CDN, mobile & web applications, SaaS platforms, esports, multi-cloud, edge computing and more. Currently the VP of Product Management for Software Solutions at LightRiver, he is responsible for driving innovation, delivering next-generation products & services, developing strategic relationships with vendors, partners, research & development organizations, and achieving financial results.
About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com/podcasts and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.