CableLabs and NCTA Smaller Market Conference March 2024

Mar 25, 2024

Orlando, FL

Speakers

Bill Warga

VP of Strategy Technology, Liberty Global

Brooke Donilon

Vice President, Government Relations, NCTA

Clifton Dawes

Sr. Director Software Engineering & Automation, Cable One Inc.

Colin Howlett

CTO, Vecima

Doug Jones

Principal Architect, CableLabs

Duncan Whitney

Chief Products Officer, GCI

Elad Nafshi

Executive Vice President, Chief Network Officer, Comcast Cable

Hans Geerdes

Principal Strategist, CableLabs

Jeff Chen

Senior Vice President and Chief Relationship Officer, CableLabs

Jeff Leget

President and CEO at Kyrio, and Senior VP of Infrastructure, CableLabs

JR Walden

SVP of Technology, Chief Technology Officer, Mediacom

Larry Foland

VP MTO Relations, CableLabs

Howard Slawner

VP, Regulatory Telecom, Rogers

Razi Bayati

Sr. Manager of Data Science, Rogers

Sayandev Mukherjee

Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs

Luther Smith

DT & Director of Wireless, CableLabs

Marcien Jenckes

President, Xumo

Marielle Wilson

Vice President, Regulatory & Sustainability, Eastlink

Michael Dean

VP Government Relations, NCTA

Pamela Arluk

Vice President and Associate General Counsel, NCTA

Paul Beaudry

Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Cogeco Inc.

Priya Shrinivasan

Director of Technology Policy, CableLabs

Rick Cimerman

Vice President, State and External Affairs, NCTA

Tom McAdaragh

President & COO, Midco

Wade Holmes

Chief Data Scientist, TDS

Agenda

7:45 AM - 9:00 AM BREAKFAST
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Introductions
Welcome to the 2024 Smaller Market Conference

Speakers:
Michael Dean, VP Government Relations, NCTA
Jeff Leget, President and CEO at Kyrio, and Senior VP of Infrastructure, CableLabs
Larry Foland, VP MTO Relations, CableLabs
Jeff Chen, SVP & Chief Relationship Officer, CableLabs
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM The View from Washington

Washington continues to play an integral role on many tech and telecom issues that affect the cable industry, but as 2024 is an election year, what impact will increasingly charged politics have on the issues of highest importance to the cable industry? On the Hill, there is bipartisan support for further funding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is set to run out of funds in March or April. But can any such funding proposal make it across the finish line, with or without potential reforms, and what could that mean for the USF program? The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program also continues to be a focus in DC and in the states, where state broadband offices are preparing to receive the first tranche of funds, but will NTIA convince states to add requirements to the program that will discourage broadband providers from participating and harm its overall success? And as the FCC now has a Democratic majority, the Commission is advancing several regulatory items of importance to the cable industry, including: bringing back net neutrality, refocusing on pricing as well as terms and conditions (Early Termination Fees), and breaking new ground with an expansive Digital Discrimination order. What are the implications of the FCC actions and what do cable operators need to know as they prepare for their implementation and enforcement? These and other important topics will be covered.

Speakers:
Pamela Arluk, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, NCTA
Brooke Donilon, Vice President, Government Relations, NCTA
Rick Cimerman, Vice President, State and External Affairs, NCTA
Michael Dean, VP Government Relations – NCTA
Priya Shrinivasan, Director of Technology Policy, CableLabs
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM The Perspective from Ottawa

Canadian politics often mirrors what happens south of the border, but unique challenges and solutions are driven from Ottawa. With notable mergers already complete, what does the regulatory landscape look like in Canada? Will government entities help or hinder efforts to provide customers and communities with stable and reliable broadband service? The conversation will touch on these and other topics.

Speakers:
Paul Beaudry, Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Cogeco Inc.
Marielle Wilson, Vice President, Regulatory & Sustainability, Eastlink
Priya Shrinivasan, Director of Technology Policy, CableLabs
Howard Slawner, VP, Regulatory Telecom, Rogers
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM DOCSIS® Ecosystem Fireside Chat

As operators plan for future network update, a robust ecosystem with healthy supply chain is key to their success. Learn from the leading operator on DOCSIS 4.0 deployment on how the vendor ecosystem has changed from the previous update, and how the industry can collaborate on technology standards.

Speakers:
Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast Communications
Jeff Chen, SVP & Chief Relationship Officer, CableLabs
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Network Upgrades

This discussion encompassing FDX vs. FDD vs. enhanced DOCSIS 3.1 will contrast the options that are available to smaller operators. In addition, this conversation will explore developments in the XGS-PON category regarding provisioning options, OLT deployment options (e.g., strand mount, DAA plugables) and tools that can be used when operational groups need to cover both FTTH and HFC systems with the same local staff.

Speakers:
Doug Jones, Principal Architect, CableLabs
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM The DOCSIS 4.0 Deployment

The discussion will cover the rollout of DOCSIS 4.0 hardware across the access network. When should operators expect to see vCMTS?

Speakers:
Colin Howlett, CTO, Vecima
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM The Future of Video Entertainment in a Broadband Streaming World

The conventional PayTV model is broken, and a wholly new model is required for operator success going forward. A number of operators are looking toward an industry-wide initiative which is broadband-first and driven by FAST and SVOD revenue sharing. How does this new business model for video work at scale and how can it reinforce an operator's existing broadband business? How do these benefits apply for operators in smaller markets?

Speakers:
Bill Warga, VP of Strategy Technology, Liberty Global
Marcien Jenckes, President, Xumo
Jeff Chen, SVP & Chief Relationship Officer, CableLabs as Moderator
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM Wi-Fi 6, 6e, 7 – What, when, why?

As operator deployments advance in a world of 2-box solutions, what technology is available new and in the future, and what should operators consider in deploying newer technology?

Speakers:
Luther Smith, Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM Look, up in the sky…

Starlink at Costco? Kuiper in the sky with diamonds? What’s new in the world of LEO’s? Over 2 million ground-based subscribers with a constellation of over 5000 satellites and growing. Can cell-phone emergency text messages and military contracts make this profitable?

Speakers:
Hans Geerdes, Principal Strategist, CableLabs
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM Break
3:20 PM – 3:50 PM Open the Pod Bay Doors, Hal

How is artificial intelligence shaping operations? How are larger operators using AI to design, build and operate their networks? What are the security and privacy implications of handing more decisions and design over to AI? This panel will discuss how AI is shaping the industry and what impacts it might have in the future. Early adopters may use it improve call resolution and reduce truck rolls. But how can AI find its way into the broader design and management of the network?

Speakers:
Wade Holmes, Chief Data Scientist, TDS
Clifton Dawes, Sr. Director Software Engineering & Automation, Cable One Inc.
Sayandev Mukherjee, Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs
Razi Bayati, Sr. Manager of Data Science, Rogers
3:50 PM – 4:50 PM C Level Panel Wrap-up

To wrap up the day, a panel of C-level executives from valorous operators will discuss what they heard, what they think, and where they are going as they drive their organizations forward in 2024.

Speakers:
JR Walden, SVP of Technology, Chief Technology Officer, Mediacom
Tom McAdaragh, President, Midco
Jeff Leget, SVP of Infrastructure CableLabs & CEO of Kyrio as Moderator
4:50 PM – 5:00 PM Wrap-up

Speakers:
Michael Dean, VP Government Relations, NCTA
Jeff Leget, President and CEO at Kyrio, and Senior VP of Infrastructure, CableLabs
Larry Foland, VP MTO Relations, CableLabs
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Open Reception

This reception is open to all attendees of the Smaller Market Conference and CableLabs Winter Conference.
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Private Smaller Market Leadership Dinner

This is an invitation-only dinner for leaders from smaller market operators.