4 THE INCOMPAS SHOW I NOVEMBER 2 - 4, 2025 www.bekabusinessmedia.com DAY 2 front, this fall, the Commission is asking critical questions about IP interconnection which impacts the competitive provision of voice services, NG911, and call authentication for robocall mitigation. The association’s advocacy stresses the interconnectedness of these three issues and the steps the Commission must adopt to ensure a smooth technology transition that protects public safety and competition.” It’s a time of tremendous change for the industry, as the broadband, wireless, cloud, AI, and energy sectors continue to converge. INCOMPAS has evolved to meet the moment. Its membership and events are growing, and the association remains focused on creating a more open and competitive communications landscape. “We have expanded our membership to include service providers, cloud platforms, infrastructure providers, and network providers that power the emergence of AI, as well as energy generation and transmission companies – reflecting the interconnected nature of today’s digital economy,” Pickering said. “To support this broader coalition, we have also expanded our policy team and advocacy footprint, engaging on cross-sector issues such as technological innovation, permitting reform, AI infrastructure and energy issues. Our team executes on advocacy campaigns to unlock investment, accelerate infrastructure buildout, and promote U.S. competitiveness.” Looking ahead, INCOMPAS is preparing for another year of critical policy opportunities that will shape the industry in 2026 and beyond. From broadband deployment and tech transitions to shared spectrum, AI, and USF reform, INCOMPAS will continue working closely with policymakers to influence decisions that directly impact bottom-line growth. “As convergence accelerates, bringing together power, transmission, data centers and next-generation networks, INCOMPAS is ensuring that our members are not only positioned to seize new opportunities, but also protected from risk,” Pickering added. “Our policy team is our members’ front line in Washington, advocating for smart regulation, competitive markets, permitting modernization, and a national AI framework that supports innovation and growth.” Beyond its policy and event leadership, INCOMPAS continues to offer valuable year-round benefits to its member companies. For example, its popular webinar series helps amplify member voices, establish them as thought leaders, build sales pipelines, and advance pro-competitive policy initiatives. And today, the association is launching NextGen Rising, a new program addressing workforce development for early-stage professionals. “Our members have been and will continue to build the networks to support the future of communications,” Pickering said. “Much like they built the networks that opened markets to long-distance and local communications, and the broadband networks fueling the rise of the Internet, INCOMPAS members will be central to the next chapter in our industry, including greater AI adoption and the data center, power, and network infrastructure required to support it.” p Midco has expanded its customized business offerings to deliver 400 gigabit-per-second (400G) connectivity. According to Justin Hebda, Midco vice president of Business Sales, the company is seeing increased demand from business clients who need 400G fiber connectivity — especially in the Midwest, where organizations are seeking more from their networks. Midco is meeting that demand with 400G fiber services that support complex, high-bandwidth operations. “In the last month, our team closed contracts for 10 of these solutions with businesses that need to connect their core network to widely distributed locations,” Hebda explained. “They trust Midco to provide this service because we control and manage the capacity on our network end-toend, giving us an advantage in this space.” This announcement builds on Midco’s 2024 commitment to support hyperscaler expansion in the region, now backed by 400G speeds and a long-haul network ready to scale. The Midwest continues to attract hyperscalers and data center operators with its affordable power, real estate and favorable climate conditions. But location alone isn’t enough. Sustained growth depends on consistently delivering low-latency, high-capacity performance between core and edge locations. Enterprises, too, face similar pressure. As operations become more cloud-reliant and geographically distributed, traditional connectivity solutions often fall short, especially when latency, uptime and control are non-negotiable. Midco’s 400G wavelength services run on a long-haul fiber backbone that spans the region and connects directly to major points of presence in Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago and Denver. The network is MEF 3.0 certified, and recent testing showed latency of less than 20 milliseconds from Spearfish, S.D., to Chicago. “This is a new benchmark in network capacity that shows our clients, including data center operators and hyperscalers with high-bandwidth needs, that Midco can absolutely deliver solutions that combine capacity and low latency,” said Jeff Sanders, Midco director of Wholesale. Unlike providers that rely on third-party handoffs, Midco owns and manages its network end-to-end. That control, combined with regional reach, gives businesses a strategic edge. The system is engineered for both speed and performance — scalable, responsive and optimized for growth. At the same time, Midco’s 400G capabilities meet a wide range of operational demands. From expanding enterprise connectivity to deploying new data centers or enhancing cloud-based systems, the company is equipped to handle evolving business models. Midco’s wholesale account executives and sales engineer professionals work directly with clients to develop custom configurations. Options include wavelength services, dark fiber and hybrid approaches — each tailored to align with long-term strategies and technical requirements. “Our unique network capacity, longhaul fiber infrastructure and customized business support are allowing data center operators and hyperscalers to expand their operations with confidence,” said Sanders. While hyperscalers may be the first to adopt, the benefits ripple outward — enhancing connectivity for area businesses and communities. As the Midwest continues to emerge as a hub for data center development and digital innovation, Midco is delivering the infrastructure to keep that progress moving. With 400G speeds now available, the company is positioned to help more businesses move faster, scale smarter and operate confidently. p For more information about Midco’s network capabilities and services, stop by Table 1 in the Deal Center or visit Midco. com/wholesale. Midco Launches 400G Fiber Solutions to Power Business Growth in the Midwest (Continued from page 1)
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