As we step into 2026, I’m honored to serve as President of NYSWA during a time of significant transformation for our industry and meaningful opportunities for our community.

This past year reaffirmed what many of us have sensed for some time: the telecommunications landscape is shifting on multiple fronts. Wireless networks, broadband infrastructure, and their supporting systems are evolving simultaneously, driven by new technologies, competitive dynamics, policy changes, funding programs, and rising expectations for fast, reliable connectivity.

Within NYSWA, 2025 was a pivotal year of deeper engagement. As Vice President of Social Media and Partnerships, I took the opportunity to create a more consistent, thoughtful presence that stayed in tune with the industry and shared content informing and connecting members in real time.

This work solidified a belief I hold strongly: When we lead with relevance and substance, we strengthen the value of our community.

Across the sector, we also saw clear progress and accelerating change. 5G continued to bolster modern mobility, delivering vast improvements in speed, capacity, efficiency, and reliability while setting the stage for future advancements. Fiber investments grew as providers leaned into fiber-focused strategies bolstered by public and private funding for broader deployment. Fixed Wireless Access became a mainstream broadband option, expanding consumer choice and intensifying competition in areas with differing deployment timelines and economics. Meanwhile, traditional boundaries between service providers increasingly blurred, creating one of the most dynamic competitive landscapes in decades.

At the heart of this progress lies a critical priority shaping the future: workforce.

As networks modernize with AI-driven tools, cloud-based orchestration, new architectures, and edge computing, the demand for skilled talent continues to rise. Our industry’s ability to convert innovation into deployment relies on the strength of our workforce pipeline.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: technology defines possibility, but people determine progress.

With this perspective, NYSWA is entering 2026 with focus and momentum. We’ll expand our reach by strengthening member connections and delivering educational programming that supports professional growth at every level. Through impactful events, new partnerships, and ongoing investments in our scholarship and technician programs, NYSWA will provide more opportunities for development, networking, and thought leadership, ensuring we remain a leading voice in telecom.

Together, we’ve built a community defined by collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Our 2026 commitment is clear: deliver meaningful value to members, stay attuned to the realities shaping the industry, and position the wireless ecosystem for lasting strength in the years ahead.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to all we’ll achieve together in 2026.

With appreciation, 

Heather Douglas Wilkins 

President, NYSWA