WIA Board Member Kelly Lazuka Delivers Keynote at New York State Wireless Association Conference

New York State Wireless Association’s The Evolution of the Network Conference

Times Center, New York, NY

October 29, 2024

Keynote Remarks: Kelly Lazuka, CEO, Fullerton and WIA Board Member

Thank you for having me.  When I saw that the theme of this event was “The Evolution of the Network” it occurred to me that many of you, if you are like me and have been around forever, already know a lot about the evolution of the network because we have lived this evolution.  But I think it’s always good to take a few minutes and remind ourselves how far we have come, what the potential is for the future and how impactful and important our roles are in this crazy, but essential industry.

I think it’s easy for a lot of us to forget what it was like before connectivity.  I was recently reminded of how inconvenient life becomes when we aren’t as connected as we have become accustomed to.  My daughter is in Boot Camp, Marines.  She’s 18 and she’s been there for 2 months.  Only one more month to go.  But in the Marines, the recruits aren’t allowed to have phones, cell phones or otherwise.  Their only way to communicate with their families is through snail mail and that is the only way I can communicate with her.  It’s the worst.  I like, all of the younger generations want that instant gratification, those instant answers.  Are you eating?  Are you sleeping?  Are you scared?  And I can’t have that.  I have to rely on a letter and our current unreliable mail system and hope I get answers every few weeks, maybe.  But this is how it used to be right?  Before phones, before texting.  Parents sent their kids off to the military, off to war and didn’t speak for long periods of time.  While I think not speaking to your child for 3 months is unnatural, prior to the communication outlets we have today, it was very normal and natural.

But then communication started to evolve with the invention of the telephone, that morphed into what we call, the landline.  You remember the rotary phone right?  Well, no one worked on the continuous improvement of the rotary phone. Instead, the push button was invented and then the cordless and then huge brick cell phones, and so on.  The point is that innovation, evolution is not about perfecting the past, it’s about redefining the future.  In telecom, we’re not just improving one type of technology, we’re converging multiple technologies to create a more connected world.

Over the past 25 years, we’ve witnessed an extraordinary evolution in connectivity, where each technological advancement has not only built upon the last but has also become an essential part of a larger, interconnected network.

• Wireless is only as good as the fiber it connects to.
• DAS ensures the wireless network is accessible inside large venues where standard towers would struggle.
• Small cells help wireless networks handle high data traffic, particularly in dense urban areas.
• Fiber the backbone for all others, ensures that all of these technologies can operate at maximum speed and capacity.
• EV charging stations need to be smart and connected, relying on telecom infrastructure to communicate and function efficiently.
• Private Networks: Provide secure, dedicated connections for industries like healthcare and utilities, supported by fiber for speed and small cells/DAS for complete coverage in complex environments.
• Data Centers: Centralize data processing and storage, supporting the network’s backend. Fiber connects data centers to wireless, DAS, and small cell networks, enabling fast data access and processing.

So much change happening all of the time in our industry.  But it has been a good industry, well mostly good.  In our world, uncertainty is always hanging around, especially with shifting customer needs, economic volatility, and the inevitable layoffs that affect carriers, tower companies, and vendors.  And you might ask yourself, on the regular, why do we stay in this industry? The answer is simple—it’s because we are making a difference. We are the ones building the future of connectivity. We’re not just reacting to change, we’re driving it.  Every tower we build, every fiber line we lay, and every network we design has a real impact on people’s lives. From enabling families to stay connected during the worst of times – as we saw with the most recent hurricanes – to providing the infrastructure that powers the innovations of tomorrow, we’re helping shape the future.  Through every uncertainty, we remain committed because the work we do helps people, and that’s something worth staying for.

But it’s impossible to talk about the evolution of connectivity without mentioning the game-changer: the cell phone. When cell phones first emerged, they weren’t much more than bulky, mobile versions of landlines. But as technology advanced, these devices transformed into the sleek, powerful computers we carry in our pockets today.

Cell phones weren’t just a new way to talk—they were the beginning of a revolution. They were the spark that ignited an age of unprecedented, global connectivity. For the first time, people could connect to anyone, anywhere, without being tied to a specific location. This shift laid the foundation for everything that followed: mobile internet, apps, smart devices, the Internet of Things and so on.

Now, these “phones” are so much more than phones. They are our literally our lifelines to the world, tools that manage everything from our work to our social lives, our health, our entertainment, and even our homes. They’ve turned industries upside down, reshaped how we communicate, and created an entirely new economy. In fact, it’s hard to remember a world without them.

But as the demand for faster speeds and higher capacity grew to support these “lifelines to the world”, we saw the rise of small cells, which helped fill coverage gaps in densely populated areas and offload traffic from larger towers. What other industry lets you, from thousands of miles away, watch as your kids walk safely into the house, thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled by our small cell deployments?

What other industry allows a Yankees fan who was dragged to the Red Sox game the ability to stream the Yankees game on his phone and listen through his hidden earbud while at Fenway park pretending to watch the red sox game live?  These DAS networks further expanded coverage inside large venues like stadiums and airports, where traditional towers struggled to penetrate.

What other industry has an increasing demand for us to design and build private networks for our customers that offer significant benefits to places like hospitals and utility companies where high quality, uninterrupted connectivity is not only critical but can mean the difference between life or death.

What other industry gives us the opportunity to help bridge the digital divide by providing fiber networks to underserved areas and keep all households connected. In 2014, approximately 10.9 million homes in the U.S. had access to fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services. Over the last decade, the demand for high-speed, reliable internet has significantly increased, driving a massive expansion in fiber deployments. Now, in 2024, 69 million households are connected to FTTH services. This represents a remarkable growth, but those numbers still only represent 50% of U.S. households, and this number continues to rise as more homes and businesses seek out faster, more reliable connectivity.  We are helping provide that service at a remarkable speed.

Our industry is also a first line of defense. What other industry provides the peace of mind that our households experience because we help deploy first responder networks? We ensure the networks that keep families and communities safe are robust and reliable, even in the toughest moments.

And as we push forward into a more sustainable future, what other industry helps electric vehicle drivers stay connected through integrated telecom infrastructure that supports EV charging stations, making sure that as we go green, we stay connected?

This evolution in the telecom industry highlights how these technologies have become increasingly interdependent. As in the example of small cells, DAS, and fiber – they all rely on each other to meet the modern demands for connectivity. Without fiber, small cells and DAS wouldn’t have the bandwidth needed to support the growing usage of mobile devices and IoT applications. Without small cells, wireless networks wouldn’t be able to handle the density of urban environments. And without DAS networks, large venues would be disconnected from the world.  Connectivity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. We in the telecom industry didn’t just watch it happen; we made it happen. And as the world continues to demand better, faster, and more seamless connections, we are the ones who will continue to deliver it.

But here’s the catch: We can have the best technologies in the world, but they don’t work unless we have the people who know how to build, maintain, and evolve them. As this industry grows, so does the need for a highly skilled, adaptable workforce.

As I said earlier, all of us have been affected by lay-offs and most of us are down to our key players.  We can’t stick to outdated job roles. It’s essential that we cross-train, up-train, and retrain our workforce so they can tackle the challenges of this converging ecosystem. We need to ensure that the same people who helped build our networks today can lead us into the future.

Customer needs are evolving.  Our services are evolving, and if we don’t train our people to evolve with them, we risk losing talent because their skills become irrelevant. But with cross-training and upskilling, our teams stay sharp, engaged, and ready to meet the demands of tomorrow.

We’re not just investing in technology; we’re investing in our people. Whether it’s teaching fiber techs how to support EV infrastructure or retraining our wireless teams to manage DAS and small cell deployments, workforce development is essential.

As I finish up here today, I want to remind you that the evolution of the network and the convergence of technologies isn’t just about shaping the future of connectivity—it’s about creating an entirely new ecosystem where each technology amplifies the other. This interconnected network forms the foundation of a world that is more connected, efficient, and resilient than ever. Our companies are honored to play a critical role in this evolution, bringing together your expertise, your infrastructure, and our collective innovative thinking needed to drive these advancements forward.

But please don’t forget that as essential as the technology itself is, it’s the people behind it who bring this vision to life. That’s why workforce development should remain at the heart of our strategy.  We’re not just building networks together; we’re building the future of connectivity—a future that will empower industries, transform our communities, and inspire limitless possibilities for generations to come.  Please enjoy the rest of the forum and thank you for having me.