Shearman & Sterling’s New York office hosted a panel session of The Infra Finance Breakfast Club (INFIN) entitled “Getting up to Speed on Digital Infra: Trends, Opportunities & Challenges.”  Partner Paul Epstein (New York-Project Development & Finance) moderated the session and delivered opening remarks in which he highlighted the increasing demand for digital connectivity (which has necessitated a buildout of the broadband fiber backbone and has prompted the development of the next generation of mobile technology, known as 5G) and the significant increase in capital raising and deployment by infrastructure funds in the telecom space.  The panel considered the key elements of the buildout from an infrastructure perspective and discussed investment opportunities in data centers, cell towers and broadband fiber, including deals structured as public-private partnerships (P3s).  Approximately 100 stakeholders attended the event, representing investors, contractors, lenders, rating agencies and advisors.