Fiber Broadband Association Middle Mile Working Group Releases Framework for Strengthening State Fiber Infrastructure

Guidance highlights strategies for expanding broadband access, improving resiliency, and maximizing the impact of broadband investments

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today released guidance from its Middle Mile Working Group outlining how states can strengthen digital infrastructure through coordinated fiber backbone investment.

The framework introduces the concept of Digital Infrastructure Networks—strategic fiber systems that connect the core internet backbone to last-mile broadband providers. By strengthening these middle-mile connections, states can reduce the cost of broadband deployment, improve network resiliency, and expand connectivity to unserved and underserved communities.

“Middle-mile infrastructure is what allows broadband networks to scale,” said Sachin Gupta, Chair of the Middle Mile Working Group and Vice President of Business and Technology Strategies at Centranet. “When high-capacity fiber backbones are located closer to underserved communities, providers can extend last-mile networks more affordably, reach more locations, operate more efficiently, and better serve communities across the state.”

Middle-mile networks move large volumes of data between communities, internet exchange points, and major network hubs. Without sufficient backbone infrastructure in place, expanding last-mile broadband becomes significantly more expensive and difficult—particularly in rural areas.

With significant broadband investment underway nationwide, the Middle Mile Working Group emphasizes the importance of long-term infrastructure planning. Strong fiber backbones help ensure last-mile networks remain reliable and scalable, supporting essential community services including telehealth, remote learning, public safety communications, and economic development.

The Group’s latest framework encourages states to adopt a “Fiber First” approach to infrastructure planning and encourages cross-agency coordination and statewide infrastructure inventories to identify existing fiber routes and other assets that can support broadband expansion.

Among the recommendations:

• Coordinate infrastructure projects across agencies to streamline deployment and reduce unnecessary construction
• Implement “dig once” policies that install conduit or fiber whenever roads or utility corridors are opened for construction
• Leverage state-owned assets, including rights-of-way, existing fiber routes, and utility infrastructure
• Modernize permitting and coordination processes to accelerate broadband builds

FBA will further explore these strategies during two Middle Mile Working Group breakout sessions at Fiber Connect 2026, taking place Tuesday morning. The sessions include:

• Rural Collaboration, Infrastructure Planning, and Sustaining Affordable, High-Performance Middle Mile Broadband
• Unlocking New Middle Mile Opportunities for ISPs and Community Networks

To learn more about the Fiber Connect 2026 and register, visit fiberconnect.fiberbroadband.org. Learn more about FBA's research here or subscribe to FBA’s Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated.

About the Fiber Broadband Association

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) is the voice of fiber, helping providers, policy makers, and communities make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. FBA is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists. Since 2001, FBA and its members have worked to advance fiber broadband deployment to accelerate innovation and increase quality of life by enabling every community to leverage the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MENA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org.