Kenneth Gunderman on fiber infrastructure
From Keynote: Kenny Gunderman, President and CEO, Uniti Group Inc. · · INCOMPAS
“Our model has always been to build mission critical infrastructure focusing on fiber in tier 2 and tier 3 markets, targeting underserved suburban and rural areas where fiber doesn't exist today.”
On , Kenneth Gunderman, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at UNITI GROUP INC, spoke about fiber infrastructure during Keynote: Kenny Gunderman, President and CEO, Uniti Group Inc. on INCOMPAS.
About Kenneth Gunderman
Kenneth Gunderman, President and CEO of Uniti Group, delivered a keynote at the 2024 INCOMPAS Show on October 21, 2024, in Denver. During the address, Gunderman stated that the fiber industry has become "much more rational with less overbuilding" and described fiber as "mission critical Communications infrastructure." He said Uniti focuses on building fiber in tier 2 and tier 3 markets, targeting underserved suburban and rural areas. Gunderman also expressed that hyperscalers are "believers in AI" and are investing heavily in infrastructure, which he said will drive demand for fiber networks. He argued that mobile broadband "will never supplant fixed line broadband in our lifetime" and that fixed wireless has limitations. Gunderman discussed the role of government subsidies for rural fiber, stating they "can be a good thing if used properly" but must not disincentivize existing providers or lead to overbuilding. He noted that customers want networks with "scale and expansive reach," which he said is driving consolidation and M&A in the industry. Gunderman also predicted that the inference phase of AI will drive demand for network upgrades, including small cells and fiber to the home, catalyzing densification in metro markets.