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

In this episode of Let's Get Digital, host Keri Charles interviews Rich Berliner, founder of the Connected Digital Infrastructure Association (CDIA), about the evolution of digital infrastructure and the transformative role of AI, GPUs, and distributed computing. Berliner shares his four-decade journey from selling early cell phones to leading a major construction firm, and ultimately founding CDIA after acquiring the Inbuilding Wireless Association. He explains how the rebranding from TIWA to CDIA reflects a strategic shift toward holistic, enterprise-focused digital infrastructure solutions that integrate wireless, fiber, cybersecurity, and public safety. The conversation highlights a growing trend where real estate and enterprise clients demand packaged, end-to-end digital solutions rather than isolated technologies. A major catalyst for this shift is NVIDIA’s influence, particularly through Joe Bacuzzi’s vision of GPU-driven distributed data centers and the 'new edge'—a decentralized computing model enabled by NVIDIA’s technology. Berliner emphasizes CDIA’s role as an educational forum that connects stakeholders across telecom, real estate, and tech, fostering networking, job placement, and strategic partnerships. The upcoming CDIA event in Las Vegas on September 1st is positioned as a pivotal gathering to explore these changes, with keynotes from NVIDIA and industry leaders like Chris Rising and Darlene Pope. Key takeaways include: 1) The future of digital infrastructure lies in integrated, packaged solutions that combine connectivity, AI, and cybersecurity; 2) The shift from CPUs to GPUs is enabling distributed data centers at the edge; 3) Real estate and enterprise clients are now central decision-makers, demanding holistic digital strategies; 4) Networking and personal connections are critical for career advancement and business growth; 5) CDIA’s mission is to educate and connect stakeholders across industries; 6) Events like the one in Las Vegas offer rare opportunities to learn directly from innovators like NVIDIA; 7) The 'new edge' is no longer theoretical—it’s being built using rooftops, IT rooms, and tower sites; 8) Staying informed through CDIA’s YouTube channel and biweekly newsletter is essential for professionals in telecom and real estate.