Gigapower Taps Telecom Veteran Dave Dobbin to Steer Aggressive Fiber Expansion

DALLAS, TX – March 03, 2026 – Gigapower, the joint venture between AT&T and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), has appointed telecom industry veteran Dave Dobbin as its new Chief Strategy Officer. The move signals a strategic acceleration of the company's mission to deploy a massive open-access fiber network across the United States, a development poised to intensify competition in the nation's broadband market.

In his new role, Dobbin is tasked with leading Gigapower's long-term strategy, market expansion, and growth initiatives. The appointment places a leader with a 30-year track record of building and scaling telecommunications networks at the helm of a venture aiming to reshape how Americans access high-speed internet.

“Dave brings deep experience from multiple leadership roles in the telecom industry, especially in driving strategic growth,” said Francisco Maella, Gigapower CEO, in a statement. “His track record of executing complex programs will propel Gigapower to the next level as we expand our fiber network across the United States.”

A Proven Leader for a Disruptive Mission

Dave Dobbin is no stranger to the complexities of network infrastructure development. His extensive career includes executive positions as CEO, President, and COO for companies like Zentro Internet and Hargray Communications. His background is particularly notable for his work in the nascent stages of fiber network build-outs for public and private entities.

During his tenure as COO of Telecom Ottawa, Dobbin was instrumental in creating a successful telecommunications subsidiary for the city's utility holding company. He oversaw the completion of one of North America's largest metropolitan all-optical fiber networks at the time. Later, as President of Toronto Hydro Telecom, he guided numerous municipal electric utilities in Ontario as they entered the telecom business, experience that directly aligns with Gigapower's strategy of deploying infrastructure in new territories.

This history of transforming utilities and municipalities into telecom players provides Dobbin with a unique perspective for steering Gigapower. The venture's success depends not just on laying fiber, but on navigating local partnerships, managing large-scale construction, and building a wholesale platform that is attractive to other internet service providers (ISPs).

“I’m honored to join Gigapower at such a pivotal moment for the company," Dobbin stated. "The opportunity to help expand the number of markets we serve and to evolve the operations of the company is truly exciting."

The Open-Access Gambit

At the heart of Gigapower’s strategy is the “open-access” model. Unlike traditional internet providers that build, own, and operate a closed network exclusively for their own customers, Gigapower builds the physical fiber infrastructure and then wholesales access to multiple retail ISPs. This “build it once” approach allows various providers, including AT&T as the anchor tenant, to compete for customers over the same state-of-the-art network.

While common in Europe, the open-access model is still gaining traction in the United States. Proponents argue it fosters greater competition, which can lead to better service and more competitive pricing for consumers and small businesses. It also lowers the barrier to entry for smaller or regional ISPs, who can launch services without the immense capital expenditure required to build their own fiber lines from scratch. Community-owned networks like UTOPIA Fiber in Utah have demonstrated the model's success, offering residents a choice between more than a dozen providers.

Gigapower's deployment is a high-profile test of whether a privately funded, large-scale open-access network can succeed in the U.S. The company has already launched its network in communities across six states, including parts of Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, with an initial goal of reaching 1.5 million customer locations.

Navigating a Crowded Fiber Frontier

Dobbin's strategic leadership will be critical as Gigapower navigates an increasingly competitive and complex market. The race to connect America with fiber is well underway, fueled by surging consumer demand and significant government investment, most notably the $65 billion allocated for broadband in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Gigapower faces a diverse array of competitors:
* Incumbent Giants: Cable and telecom titans like Comcast, Charter, and Verizon are aggressively expanding their own fiber-to-the-home networks, defending their market share with massive capital outlays.
* New Challengers: Other well-funded ventures, such as Brightspeed, are also rapidly building out fiber networks in territories acquired from legacy providers.
* Municipal Networks: A growing movement of cities and towns are building their own public-owned networks to ensure resident access to affordable, high-speed internet, bypassing private providers entirely.

In this environment, speed to market, operational efficiency, and the ability to secure partnerships are paramount. Dobbin’s experience in executing complex programs will be essential in ensuring Gigapower can meet its ambitious construction targets and effectively manage the logistical challenges of a multi-state rollout.

A Symbiotic Partnership for National Scale

The joint venture structure is itself a strategic masterstroke, leveraging the distinct strengths of its powerful parent companies. For AT&T, Gigapower provides a capital-efficient vehicle to extend its fiber footprint beyond its traditional 21-state service area. It allows the telecom giant to pursue its “converge” strategy—bundling fiber and wireless services to increase customer loyalty—in new markets without bearing the full cost of the network build.

For BlackRock and its infrastructure arm, GIP, Gigapower represents a long-term investment in critical digital infrastructure. Fiber networks are viewed as stable, high-value assets with predictable returns, making them highly attractive to institutional investors. GIP brings not only capital but also deep operational expertise in managing large-scale infrastructure projects, complementing AT&T's telecom proficiency.

As Gigapower continues its expansion, the industry will be watching closely. The appointment of Dave Dobbin is a clear statement of intent, equipping the venture with the strategic leadership necessary to execute its ambitious vision. The success of this endeavor could not only deliver significant returns for its backers but also serve as a powerful catalyst for competition and choice in the American broadband landscape.