In today’s fast-paced digital world where everything seems to be geared toward online streaming, whether it’s music, movies or live-broadcasting gatherings, the ability to stay connected with each other remains a focal point for many. 

On Oct. 16, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) hosted the Regional Fiber Connect conference at the Scottsdale Resort & Spa. 

Founded in 2001, the nonprofit is composed of companies and organizations that utilize direct fiber-optic connections and more to help refine and improve the way we communicate with one another online.

What Is Fiber-Optic Broadband Internet?

Fiber-optic broadband uses very thin glass cables to send data as light. The thin glass cables are about the width of a strand of human hair. This is a faster type of internet connection, as older models utilizing copper wires and cables can erode and disintegrate over time. 

Each fiber-optic cable contains a core and cladding. The core is where the light is carried, while the cladding ensures the light remains inside of the core.

When the light reaches its destination, such as a router or another computer, the receiver detects the light and converts it back into signals that our devices and tablets can understand, such as website pages, streaming video and more. 

This technology is well suited for cities, small towns and tribal nations alike due to its ability to connect users with high-speed internet without being impacted by severe weather conditions.

The Conference

At the opening of the daylong conference, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Vice-President Ricardo Leonard provided a blessing as well as opening remarks. Afterward, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs provided the morning’s remarks. 

There were several morning “fireside chats” during the conference. Robert Griffin, broadband director for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, spoke about tribal broadband and how its programs can aid as well as prioritize tribal communities. Later, a breakout session titled “Tribes Helping Tribes: Building a Strong Future Together Through Indigenous-Led Telecom Infrastructure Projects” discussed creating potential plans on how to get Indigenous communities connected to the internet safely and securely. 

The conference also provided an update regarding the collaboration between the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) and the FBA program. The DPIL encourages early literacy by mailing free books to children from birth to age 5. The program does not use a family’s income as a determining factor, thus allowing for all families to participate. 

In June, the FBA announced a partnership with the DPIL to benefit families across the United States and Canada by continuing to mail out books as well as establishing reliable and safe connections to the internet in various communities where internet service may not be readily provided. 

For more information about the FBA, call (570) 460-2417.