scte member focus
What do you get out of being a member of the SCTE ® ? What would you like to see more of? Many years ago I did the SCTE installer and technician training courses which were really useful, and would recommend any young person in the industry to undertake the current offerings. I attend lectures when I can, though it’s more difficult these days. They are a great way of seeing old colleagues and keeping up to date with what is going on in the industry. What’s the single biggest impact that AI will have on the streaming/broadcast industry? The single biggest impact of AI on the streaming and broadcast industry will be its ability to revolutionise content personalisation. AI can analyse viewer preferences and behaviours in real- time, enabling platforms to recommend highly tailored content to individual users. This enhanced personalisation not only improves user satisfaction and engagement but also optimises content discovery and retention, driving higher subscription rates and advertising revenues. By delivering the right content to the right audience at the right time, AI transforms the streaming experience into a more immersive and customised journey for each viewer. How do you see the broadband/telecoms industry changing over the coming 5 years? Consolidation is a major theme in the telecoms industry right now and in the UK fibre market there are, on some counts, up to 100 fibre operators. With this level of fragmentation, it feels like it might be a challenge for everyone to generate attractive returns and that the market needs a wave of consolidation.
Have you had any mentors over the course of your career and how did they help you? Again, my dad has been the main one. I was able to watch him in action managing teams throughout his time with Virgin Media. He always made sure that his teams had a can-do attitude, a belief that if you were going to do something, then do it right and with a sense of fun. I try to emulate that today. What would you tell a young entrant just about to get started in this sector? I have mentored a lot of graduates in the sector over the years, and the advice I give is always the same. Try and focus on the here and now, what role you are doing and do it well. Don’t try to rise too quickly without that experience to help guide your decision making. Look to move sideways, working in different companies, with different technologies to improve your knowledge and understanding, and you will find the roles come to you, rather than you having to look for the roles. What is the best thing about telecoms for you? I have always enjoyed the sector. I have never had that feeling on a Sunday of dreading the week ahead. Many of the people have been here for a long time and you can build relationships that really last. You are always bumping into a former colleague at a show or event and they are now with another telco. You are also constantly having to keep up with an ever- changing technology, from copper pair, to coax to fibre – it never stops. We are now having conversations around 50Gbps and 200Gbps in the coming decades. It will always be a fun and exciting place to work.
Many years ago I did the
SCTE installer and technician training courses which were really useful, and would recommend any young person in the industry to undertake the current offerings.
www.virginmediao2.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.3
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