From TIWA to CDIA: Rich Berliner on the Future of “Connected” Digital Infrastructure

From TIWA to CDIA: Rich Berliner on the Future of “Connected” Digital Infrastructure

Author: Broadstaff May 5, 2026 Duration: 24:07
Let's Get Digital with Carrie Charles
BusinessManagementTechnology

In this episode, Rich Berliner, Founder of the Connected Digital Infrastructure Association (CDIA), shares a forward-looking perspective on how the industry is evolving from siloed technologies into a fully integrated, “connected” digital infrastructure ecosystem. With more than 40 years in telecom and construction, Rich brings a unique lens on how the convergence of wireless, fiber, real estate, and AI is reshaping the future of connectivity.

CDIA was born from the evolution of the in-building wireless space into something much broader. Rich explains how enterprise customers—especially in real estate—no longer want fragmented solutions like DAS alone, but instead demand fully integrated offerings that combine connectivity, cybersecurity, software, and infrastructure into a single, cohesive strategy. This shift is driving greater collaboration across the industry and redefining how solutions are delivered.

A key theme is the growing importance of “connected” infrastructure, where fiber, wireless, public safety systems, and building technologies must all work together seamlessly. Rich highlights how enterprise decision-making now involves multiple stakeholders—from IT to finance to operations—making it critical for providers to approach customers with a needs-based, consultative mindset rather than a product-first pitch.

The conversation also explores a major technological shift: the move from CPU-based systems to GPU-driven computing, led by companies like NVIDIA. Rich explains how this transition is enabling distributed data centers and what he calls the “new edge”—a model where compute is deployed across towers, rooftops, and localized environments instead of centralized mega facilities.

Looking ahead, Rich sees CDIA playing a vital role as an educational and networking hub—bringing together telecom, real estate, and technology leaders to better understand and navigate this rapidly changing landscape.


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In a world built on invisible signals and physical networks, Let's Get Digital with Carrie Charles pulls back the curtain on the entire ecosystem that keeps us connected. This isn't about abstract tech concepts; it's a grounded look at the business and management realities behind wireless towers, sprawling fiber routes, and humming data centers. Carrie Charles, bringing her perspective as Broadstaff's CEO, guides these discussions with a focus on the human element driving change. You'll hear unfiltered dialogues with the executives, engineers, and strategists who are literally laying the groundwork for our digital future. Their conversations naturally explore the tough decisions, emerging technologies, and career paths defining the infrastructure landscape. The podcast digs into how trends like edge computing or new deployment models actually get managed and financed on the ground. It’s for anyone curious about the backbone of modern life-the complex, competitive, and fascinating business of digital infrastructure. Each episode aims to connect the dots between technological potential and practical execution, offering listeners a unique insider’s view they won’t find in a press release.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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