Volume 46 No. 4 DECEMBER 2024
INSIDE Christmas issue!
6G, AI, IoT, HEVC n Next Gen PON Deployment n The Broadband industry and that Budget n We chat to Roshene McCool, Helen Wylde-Archibald, Ian Nock and Adam Soccorsy n Plus - interviews with VIAVI, FIbreplus, FTTH Council Europe
Amphenol is a recognized world leader in broadband communication solutions for cable, satellite and telecommunications networks. Our unique corporate structure has the advantage of bringing product development investment closer to our customers while maintaining the stability of a multi-billion-dollar corporation. Networks by Amphenol , complete broadband solutions to your copper, fibre and wireless needs. Network Flexibility Grounded in Stability
• Wireless • FTTx • PON • Satellite • Wireless Backhaul • Fibre Deep • 5G/Small Cells • HFC • IoT • Premises Solutions • Engineering/Installation
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VOLUME 46 NO. 4 - DECEMBER 2024
editorial Editor’s Letter Welcome to the September 2024 issue of Broadband Journal.
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from the scte SCTE News All the latest news and events from the SCTE. scte balkans news SCTE Balkans Update from Ambassador-at-Large
ISSN 1751-0791
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Thanks to our supporters The SCTE ® is grateful to the following supporters for their continued support of Broadband Journal: Amphenol, ANGA, DCT Delta, Technetix, Webro and Wisi.
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from the industry Industry News The latest global news from the industry. The State of the TV Media and Entertainment Industry scte benelux news Benelux News All the latest news and events from the SCTE’s Benelux Group. scte member focus Nicola Smith-Pryor, Electronics Engineer, Blakeglow Systems
SCTE ® - The Society for Broadband Professionals
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Officers and Members of the Executive Committee President and Chair Dr Anthony Basham FSCTE Vice President Dave Hodges FSCTE Director Dr Roger Blakeway FSCTE Secretary Beverley Walker FIAM Members Laura Baskeyfield, Keith Bail, Melissa Cogavin, George Dyckes, Costas Kyriacou, Peter Sealey, Chris Swires and Peter Veerman
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technical Challenges in Next-Gen PON Deployment 86 VisualOn Optimizer Reduces Encoding Bitrate Up to 40 Percent While Enhancing Visual Quality 90 Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it 96 The Datacentre of Now 104 34 Preparing for the AI Bandwidth Surge: Futureproofing Enterprise with Highspeed Connectivity 38 Solving the cloud conundrum for the broadcast and entertainment industry 42 6G and JOINER: It isn’t what you do, it’s how you do it 44 Connecting Communities: Lessons Learned 48 Thoughts on the industry 50 The UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) Opens 54 COFNII Update 58 Revolutionising bandwidth expansion in DWDM Networks with alien lambda 62 VIAVI and Fibreplus interview 64 Secret signs your internet security has been compromised 68 Broadband SECTOR reacts to ambitious Labour budget plans 72 FTTH Council Europe Interview with Roshene McCool, President 76 Unlocking OTT: The Crucial Role of HEVC in Streaming Technology 80 Is IOT Ready for Direct-to-Device? 82 Unplugged with Helen Wylde-Archibald, CEO, WILDANET
SCTE ® Communications House, 41a Market Street, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0PN, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1923 815500
office@theSCTE.eu www.theSCTE.eu
Managing Editor Melissa Cogavin Tel: +44 (0)7501 780342 melissa@theSCTE.eu
Publisher Evolution Print & Design Ltd 143 Cavendish Road, Leicester LE2 7PJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 116 274 7700 sales@evolutiondc.co.uk
Broadband Journal is published on behalf of the SCTE ® (Society for Broadband Professionals) by Evolution Print and Design Ltd. Neither the editor nor the Society, as a body, is responsible for expression of opinion appearing in the journal unless otherwise stated. Papers and contributions for consideration for publication in Broadband or for reading at meetings are welcome and should be sent to Melissa Cogavin. Letters Broadband Journal is your forum for debate on issues affecting the industry. Let us have your news and views. Write to The Editor, c/o Communications House, marking your letter ‘for publication’ or email melissa@theSCTE.eu. For reasons of space, we reserve the right to edit letters published in Broadband .
spotlight on... Empowering altnets with reliable, well-documented networks, efficient activation and maintenance solutions startup zone Xacria Network Orchestrator (XNO): Revolutionising Network Management qomodo: Securing Telecom Networks Against IoT Cyber Threats Halleyx: Empowering UK Altnets to Compete in a Rapidly Expanding FibRE Market
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© 2024 Broadband Journal Information in Broadband Journal may not be reproduced, changed or used without prior written permission from the SCTE ® .
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industry events FTTH Conference 2025
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Connected North 2025
ANGA COM Show: Record Space Demand for June 2025
acronym explainer
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service finder products Building better networks: IQGeo
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diary dates
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DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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EDITORial
Editor’s Letter
opposite; the passing of our dear friend and colleague Rien Baan. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time. A big welcome to our new Executive Committee member and new Training Committee Chair Keith Bail, whom you can read about on page 15. Our app is now fully operational; we have a slew of training courses about to be announced and a slate of fantastic new SCTE ® Presents events days, our new name for the lectures throughout the year. Next one is March 18 at One Great George Street on the theme of Rural Broadband & The Last Mile - save the date! Finally, the biggest event of the year, our 80th birthday takes place at the Tower of London on June 21 2025, a huge event. You can read all about this on page 75. In this issue you’ll find opinion from FutureSource, InterDigital, Firstname Communications, Ground Control, EXFO, Ian Nock and Adam Soccorsy. You’re also in for a treat with interviews with the FTTH Council Europe, VIAVI, Fibreplus and Wildanet. And we have 4 white papers, with thanks to Asperitas, VIAVI, First Mile Networks and VisualOn. It’s been a good year, and from the SCTE as a whole, a huge thank you for your support. We are grateful to you, our members, who provide insight, knowledge and expertise in such specialist, fast- moving areas; together we are far greater than the sum of our parts, and as we ramp up to our 80th birthday, we are more aware of the special community we’re part of than ever.
It’s not just me is it? How is it December already? Mentally I am still unpacking from ANGA COM and the summer lies ahead, full of sunshine and promise. But no, my friends are booking their Christmas online shop and taking decorations down from the loft as I write this today. The sooner some bright spark in the broadband industry works out how to stop time the happier I shall be - there are enough of you out there. Make this your priority for 2025 please! I jest of course. Meanwhile the SCTE has had a very busy and exciting few months; a productive and enjoyable time has been had by all. September saw three industry trade shows fall back-to-back – Connected Britain in London, IBC in Amsterdam and then TechExpo in Atlanta, which ended moments before Hurricane Helene made landfall in Georgia, so we were very relieved to escape the damage. Hurricane Milton followed shortly afterwards; our American friends have had a tough time. Our thoughts are with those trying to put their homes and livelihoods back together all over the US. Then October saw the 79th SCTE Gala Dinner & Awards at the historic Lincoln’s Inn in London, and we were delighted to welcome 150 guests from all over the world to recognise excellence across a variety of categories. You can read all about it on page 7. A few days later we had a very successful Autumn Lecture, “Focus on Sustainability” detailed on page 4, featuring one excellent presentation after another, which if you missed them are all now available on our YouTube channel. We turn the corner into 2025 with a host of new initiatives and plans to make your experience as members better value than ever. Some sad news which you’ll see
Melissa Cogavin Managing Editor SCTE ® , Society for Broadband Professionals melissa@theSCTE.eu www.theSCTE.eu
Happy Christmas and a very happy 2025!
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Rien Baan
It was with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Rien Baan, who was a long-time member of the Society. He passed away on 18th October, aged 78.
Rien joined the SCTE as a Member in 2002, became a Fellow in 2008 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2010. Rien was instrumental in founding the Benelux SCTE in 2003 and served as their secretary until 2020 when he took the role of Vice President of the Society itself. He served on the SCTE Executive Committee for 8 years from 2015 until his retirement in 2023. His career in cable communications stretches back to the 1970’s when he worked for Oak Research Laboratories in Dordrecht before becoming Managing Director of Proditel, a distributor of CATV equipment in 1985. Following the transfer of the equipment business to C-COR Europe B.V in 1992 Rien provided consultancy to the industry. He worked for many years as Sales & Marketing Manager for DeltaKabel who were involved in the first European modem application for Internet Access via cable. He was an incredible man, truly one of a kind, and who will be remembered fondly by those of us who knew and worked with him over the many years in the cable industry. He will be sadly missed by his wife Leontine and his close family.
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scte news
SCTE Autumn Lecture - Focus on Sustainability: what did we learn?
Urgency was a theme we heard over and over. The six passionate professionals we heard from stressed again and again that warnings issued in the 80s have gone unheeded, that there is still time to act and we owe it to future generations not to sit on our hands. We were reminded the younger generation will probably do more to solve the problems than our ‘spent’ generation will, since ‘our careers are largely over’. Ouch!
Innovation may yet save us It wasn’t all bad news though; we are making huge strides in innovation, upcycling and recycling as we heard from John Booth MBCS, CDCAP, CDCSP, Martin Bradburn and Jason Kelly. Savings are being made in the millions as kit is repurposed, sold on and given a longer life span. Immerse Compute is heating swimming pools and municipal buildings on a local level and will change the landscape considerably over the next few years. Data centres are eyeing nuclear fusion as a possible game changer and the impact on climate change will be seismic if it takes off. Regulation at home, in the EU and in the US will have a demonstrably positive impact on the robber barons currently characterising this landscape. Training and upskilling Then there is the education piece. What Dom Robinson, Anthony Daly, James Dove , Neal Romanek and Neil Howman are doing in their respective work in education, training, media and lobbying won’t be felt by most of us for a few years but their graft is quietly changing the landscape and shoring up the future for our kids. Important work all this. Perhaps the most important work there is. Thanks to all our speakers and a very engaged audience for a hugely productive day. If you missed our Autumn Lecture in person, all our presentations are hosted on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thescte
Our Autumn lecture was a fascinating cross-industry discussion about the pressure points, easy wins, big picture issues and tiny details that influence the way we view sustainability, whether at a national, regulatory level or right down to turning your TV off at the wall at night. We understood that the lack of transparency from big tech is a huge contributor to the opaque nature of energy consumption worldwide; it would seem everyone has an opinion but nobody is really reporting accurately. While that doesn’t look set to change any time soon, rapid technological developments in data centres mean that while our demand for data is increasing, the strain on the environment will hopefully be reduced.
Think globally, act locally
It is the little everyday things we do that collectively will do as much to save the planet as the US remaining in the Paris Accord, something Mr Trump has threatened to leave again now that he has been re-elected. Myths were debunked and challenged throughout the day; China has only been polluting the atmosphere since the 80s compared to the UK which was busy belching out emissions indiscriminately back in the 1800s, and while they have been aggressively building factories faster than any other territory, they are ahead of Europe in building green factories. Chinese emissions are not as bad as you think. Holding a mirror up to our own indulgent behaviour was uncomfortable but necessary; hearing about two-tonne luxury electric cars with ironic references to ‘waygu leather seats, ‘mother of pearl dashboards and and fat tires’ in the UK compared to the zippy little lightweight electric motors retailing for $3k in China was a sobering experience. We must do better than this.
Profit over people
A depressing and recurrent theme was the colossal power of big business, driving profit over everything else, unanswerable to anyone, as well as a lack of joined up thinking. We heard about the false economy facing time- poor, underpaid fibre installers unwilling to look for an appropriate length of fibre optic cable in the van, chopping up cable to size instead and causing unnecessary wastage. We learned about the inane decision- making that forces gigantic hyperscaler data centres to be located in the Arctic Circle in order to keep them cool, only to spend a fortune on central heating to keep the staff alive.
SCTE ® Presents: Rural broadband & The Last Mile Tuesday March 18 | One Great George Street | London SW1
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SCTE Autumn Lecture Focus on Sustainability THANKS FOR COMING!
DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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79th SCTE Gala Dinner & Awards scte news
our industry is really like no other. Next June we celebrate our 80th anniversary at the Tower of London, which really will be a night to remember and certainly one not to be missed. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available now, contact Bev at office@ theSCTE.eu to secure yours today!
After a cocktail reception, guests were treated to an exceptional four course dinner with wine, followed by liqueurs, a casino and a live band which saw everyone up and dancing. The atmosphere was fantastic, the night was over far too quickly and the party continued into the early hours in a bar nearby.
Another unforgettable evening was hosted by the SCTE impeccably organised by Beverley Walker on October 12. Taking place at the fabulous and historic Lincoln’s Inn in central London, we recognised the talent and achievements of our members over the year during the Awards, and the winners are featured below. Congratulations to you all and a big thank you to our sponsors and guests for making it such an unforgettable night.
Over 150 people attended in black tie from all over the world in an event that in
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Volume 46 No.4 DECEMBER 2024
SCTE 79th Annual Gala Dinner & Awards 2024 EVENT AWARDS SCTE 2024 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
DRITON SADIKU MSCTE THE RICHARD HARRIS SCTE MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2024
DAVID WHITEHEAD FSCTE SCTE ENGINEER OF THE YEAR 2024
SOPHIE LUPTON SCTE RISING STAR OF THE YEAR 2024
DR GILLIAN KENDRICK THE 2024 DAVID HALL AWARD FOR THE BEST PRESENTATION OR PAPER
SCTE 2024 CORPORATE AWARDS
BRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES SCTE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR 2024 WINNER
RINCON TECHNOLOGY SCTE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD 2024 WINNER
TECHNETIX LTD SCTE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR 2024 RUNNER-UP
OPENVAULT SCTE SUSTAINABILITY
AWARD 2024 RUNNER-UP
SCTE HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS
A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE EVENT
Paul Broadhurst
Simen Frostad
scte news 79th SCTE Gala Dinner & Awards
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DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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Trade Show Madness
Official Magazine Partner
Connected Britain In September, like the rest of the industry, our feet barely touched the ground for almost three weeks, racing around trade shows, gathering news, meeting SCTE members and making new friends. We began at Connected Britain on September 11-12; another exceptionally well organised event where Broadband Journal was again Official Magazine Partner, containing details of the show in a lavish 8 page spread. Taking place across one gigantic hall at the ExCel in London’s Docklands, all the great and good from fibre and ancillary industries were there; the list of speakers was impressive, informative and entertaining; new Labour DCMS Minister Chris Bryant made an impassioned speech arguing for better connectivity on trains and lamenting the glacial rollout of broadband in rural areas.
Big congratulations to Rob Chambers, Keiran Murphy and Sofia McKeith and team for another excellent show.
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Official Magazine Partner
IBC Immediately after that we set up our stall at IBC in Amsterdam, for an even bigger show this time; 14 halls of innovation and imagination and as Official Magazine Partner again we were delighted to help delegates navigate the show and plan their day via another 6 page section in the magazine. You can read more about what IBC offered in Ian Nock’s observations on page 31.
TechExpo A week later we were fortunate enough to see our American friends at TechExpo in Atlanta, hosted by the SCTE, a subsidiary of Cable Labs, which provided a 3 day show featuring many of our North American SCTE members including Maria Popo and Steve Harris from the SCTE, Subsidiary of Cable Labs itself, plus Amphenol, Rincon, Netceed, PPC, Technetix and CommScope, who all produced fantastic, original and eye-catching stands. We also caught up with a number of individual members including Dr Alexander Adams, whom you’ll be hearing from in future issues of the magazine. There were a few nerves, but we managed to fly home barely hours before Hurricane Helene made landfall. Our thoughts are with all those affected by Helene and Milton, which hit only a week later.
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scte news SCTE Bursaries
What’s included? E ach bursary package for either ANGA COM or IBC in 2025 includes pre-paid flights and hotel accommodation for up to 3 nights (courtesy of the SCTE) and entrance to the full conference programme (courtesy of ANGA or IBC as appropriate). The full terms and conditions of the bursary can be found on our website. At the end of the event you will be expected to write a report of your experiences, what you gained from attending and to highlight any specific areas that you found valuable or of specific interest.
How do I apply? Please write up to 300 words on why you would benefit from a bursary and email it to office@theSCTE.eu Keep a look out for our bursary e-blasts in 2025 and get those applications over to us. Winners will be notified prior to each event. Please make your application and your subsequent report (for the lucky winners) your original work! No ChatGPT please.
Each year the SCTE offers bursaries to help with travel and hotel costs for our members to attend important and educational trade shows and events across the industry. This is open to ALL individual members, so do make sure you take advantage of this incredible membership benefit. This year seven SCTE bursaries were awarded for ANGA COM in May, five from IPKO in Kosovo, one from ARDING, also in Kosovo and a final winner from the UK. Below they’ve told us a little about what they gained from the experience. Don’t miss out on this incredible membership benefit in 2025 and beyond!
We look forward to hearing from you!
James Field, Bursary winner I’ve been a member of SCTE since the early 2000’s. I became a fellow in 2015 as my career took me to Asia, where I had supported the roll out and growth of cable and satellite TV services, the subsequent transition to digital and finally, the more recent transition to cloud based services.
For the last 10 years I have been living in San Francisco, California which makes it hard to actively participate in SCTE events and meetings.
However, I’ve enjoyed reading the journal and keeping my professional development up to speed - and taken advantage of the service finder when my various roles have needed partners, equipment or expertise. I have been out of the industry for a few years and currently find myself between roles – I was therefore thrilled to have the opportunity to attend IBC, courtesy of the SCTE Bursary, giving me the opportunity to ‘go back to my roots’ in the media and communications industry, use the conference to get up to speed on the latest and explore the exhibitor list, get a feeling for the current zeitgeist of the industry and better understand potential job opportunities. My journey didn’t start that well with a 2 hour delay at the start of my 10 hour flight from San Francisco – but soon got better – breezing through immigration and conference badge pickup – it was then a short walk to my hotel where I was able to check in early and freshen up before catching the shuttle to the RAI (so much for Friday 13th!). It took me a while to find the conference venue (the RAI is huge!) - but after a quick coffee I dived straight in – to learn about the launch of Freely.co.uk as Freeview focuses on the changes they are seeing in their audience as 20% of live TV is now being watched exclusively through streaming and this is expected to grow to 50% with no broadcast connection by 2030 across a broader selection of devices. This was also echoed in another later session, interviewing the SVP of Home Services Innovation at Orange.fr. They are focused on reaching the audience where they are on an increasingly fragmented set of platforms. With a mix of Free, Ad Supported and Paid content, as well as new channels and content viewing options
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Richard Reis, Bursary winner If there is one event in the calendar year that is a must to attend, then it is IBC at the RAI in Amsterdam, and this time my visit was sponsored as a Bursary from the SCTE, for which I am grateful. My focus is usually to check out the latest and greatest in the content making and delivery world, rather than sit through the presentations numerous if that’s your bag) and with 14 large halls and some very sore feet later, I still did not get to see everything. Each year there is a buzz word, and no surprises it was AI’s turn this year. Some of it was relevant, mostly in the content creation field, but there was also an element of “must be in the race” with rather dubious applications, dare I say bordering on snake oil at times. The world of content creation and delivery has certainly changed over the years, with linear TV playing less and less a part and streaming based technologies really coming through. This somewhat dumbs down the technology; it is about capturing content on a smartphone, compressing the data in the handheld device, uploading to and editing in cloud, therefore reducing a TV station to one person and an internet connection. It is good job the world is adopting fibre with high bandwidth for streaming; we are definitely experiencing quantity of content rather than quality, which was something I mused over with the original advent of digital TV and compression, allowing many channels to squeeze into one analogue channel. That seems like history; so long ago now. I was keen to understand what the industry looks like to attract new entrants; the golden oldies like myself can’t go on forever, but to some extent I don’t think it’s that big an issue, as long as you are creative enough to make content, getting to grips with the technology itself is not the challenge it used to be. The IBC conference wrapped up on the Sunday and so I had the opportunity to meet the SCTE team for an excellent dinner and meet my fellow bursary winners and compare notes. Monday gave me time to explore the myriad exhibitors as well as attend the SCTE Benelux lecture meeting where we learned about diverse applications of AI from advanced video codecs to vision based fall detection in sheltered housing. As part of my personal mission to explore employment opportunities, I met with some industry-specific recruiters as well as some of my old work colleagues and companies I have worked closely with in the past – giving me the chance to explore some consulting or part-time work out of my visit. Finally, it was great to meet with the SCTE leadership team and understand some of the challenges and opportunities ahead as the SCTE adapts to meet the needs of the industry and its members – I really appreciated the opportunity to attend IBC and would encourage other members to consider applying in future. targeting the YouTube Generation - who follow brands and shows and have little to no channel affiliation.(e.g. the www.sosh.fr) - this was also echoed by other conference speakers. As well has having the opportunity to attend the conference - my main goal for coming to IBC was to reacquaint myself with the industry after a 5 year break, re- kindle some professional relationships and explore potential opportunities. AI is clearly a big theme; with a dedicated exhibition hall and pretty much every exhibitor having some kind of AI headline on their booth – this theme was also reflected in the conference where we learnt from Olympics.com and the preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympiad (which was 10 years in planning!), and had the opportunity to embrace the rapidly emerging capabilities of AI in video production and data analytics. Their pragmatic approach of keeping ‘humans in the loop’, whilst embracing editorial co-pilots increased productivity and efficiency without introducing bias or hallucinations (the current bugbears of AI models today).
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Arcom VP signs copies of “In Circles”
Basil’s first business itinerary in the cable industry in 1993 used a round-the-world AA ticket. Departing east, he set off from Syracuse with MSO stops in Europe, Middle East, India, China, Japan – until looping home from the western USA. The trip lasted many weeks. However, in his vignette, ‘Contours from an Airbus’, he imagines it a non-stop global flight, whereupon, looking down from 37,000 feet, he naively observes the entire world paradoxically at peace – but only from that altitude!
sense and common decency can think and feel about the world we live in today and those who try to enforce their perverted will. Although the theme is 9/11 it could as much resound in the Middle East or Eastern Europe today”. In Circles is as much a series of standalone vignettes as it is a book of poems. It makes free use of wordplay, euphemism and sound while experimenting with the illustrative (eye-catching) effects of using icons to coax a vivid curiosity in an enlivening of the genre. Basil grew up in the west of Ireland and graduated with a B.E. electrical engineering degree from University College Dublin. Upon graduation he was recruited by General Electric USA with whom he spent the first 12 years of his career. Creative writing has been his complementary avocation, cross-trekking six continents in the international cable- telecommunications industry and taking anecdotal notes along the way.
Basil Dillon-Malone, Regional Vice President at Corporate Member Arcom is also a successful writer and was signing copies of his collection of vignettes, ‘In Circles,’ published by Friesen Press at a bookstore in Vancouver, Canada last month. A follow-up publication to the author’s widely-acclaimed parody novel, The Last Smoker on Earth and the End of Literature, In Circles is occasionally profound, sometimes mischievous, but essentially humorous. The author makes a thematic distinction between poems that are obviously whimsical (Nosepicker, Mortal); the misery of despondency (Loner and a bar-room mirror); a ‘recitation- tribute’ to his father growing-up in the west of Ireland and a few such as Paroxysm of Fear that are deeply intense, personal and penetrating.
A reviewer observed: “Paroxysm voiced almost everything any person of good
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SCTE Appoints New Executive Committee Member
At October’s Annual General Meeting Mr Keith Bail was voted onto the Executive Committee so we are extending a warm SCTE welcome to him via the medium of Broadband Journal. Many of you will know Keith well; a consultant working predominantly in the fibre sector, he specialises in New Build MDU and Commercial developments. A City and Guilds qualified trainer having written several training courses for the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) and others, Keith regularly delivers presentations on topics including electrical safety, fibre optic systems, risk assessment and electrical principles. Keith worked for various companies within the TV maintenance industry until joining the BBC as a broadcast Engineer in 1984, after which, he enjoyed a 6-year period of running his own retail, repair and installation business seeing the start of digital broadcasting. Keith also worked as an Avionic Engineer for British Airways in the Flight Data Recording (“Black Boxes”) department. Since June 2005, he has worked in senior positions for Fracarro, Triax and Alltrade. Keith appeared on the CAI Board up until 2010 and continues to date as an active member of the CAI Technical and Education committees. Keith has also just been named the new SCTE Training Committee Chair, replacing James Harwood who stepped down in September.
John Callas Resigns from SCTE John Callas has resigned his position as Executive Committee Member and Vice Chair of the Conference Committee effective August 2024. We thank him for his valuable contribution, effort and enthusiasm over many years and wish him all the best for the future.
The SCTE has been hard at work this summer producing an app that is available for download on the Apple Store and on Google Play. Featuring news, the latest industry standards, you can catch up on webinars, lectures and podcasts that you missed, register for events, tune in for our training sessions and read a digital version of Broadband Journal. Over time we expect to phase the print version of the Journal out, as it is sustainably the right thing to do but in the meantime, do check out the app, available on your phone whenever you need it, using your own login details from the website. MEMBER APP The Society for Broadband Professionals
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scte balkans news
Letter from the Balkans Broadband Journal caught up with our Ambassador-at-Large, Besim Latifi based in Kosovo to find out what’s happening in the Balkans.
SCTE Expo 2025: Gateway to Asia
Besim Latifi, SCTE Ambassador- At-Large
gateway to Asia, we feel an event will do much to create a sense of unity in our sector. International companies have long regarded Turkey as a hub of connection, creating networks with Europe, the Far East and Asian markets. This is a work in progress and we’ll be back to you with more information in the next issue of Broadband Journal . In the meantime if you have any requests, suggestions or interest in exhibiting, please let us know at office@theSCTE.eu.
In Kosovo conversations are taking place with our partner in Turkey about a regional event for the broadband and telecoms industries in 2025. While the venue and date are still under discussion, there is strong support from local and central government, as well as partners and sponsors eager to participate and we wanted to give you an early heads-up. Turkey is well known for its warm hospitality and thriving telecoms industry that serves not just its own market but worldwide; Turk Telecom, Turkcell, Turksay and others are working hard to meet demand across the country. As a
www.theSCTE.eu
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Next Generation Networks Institute: Pioneering 5G Education and Beyond
For individuals and organisations looking to explore collaboration opportunities with us, we welcome your enquiries and proposals. You can connect with us through multiple channels for your convenience. Feel free to give us a call at either +383 (0) 49 788 998 or +383 (0) 49 788 996. Our email addresses are info@ngn-ks. org, shpresa@ngn-ks.org, and shpend@ ngn-ks.org. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can work together.
Next Generation of 5G experts is part of the regular business activity of the Network Institute, with more young students attending training courses. We are building a great future gaining increasing support of the industry. We are delighted to inform you that the NGN Institute has been accepted and registered at the Electronic and Postal Communications (ARKEP) for the utilisation of 5G. It is a very important step in expanding the practical knowledge and experience of NGN. The Institute has already taken steps to implement an indoor 5G unit within its laboratory, positioning itself as a centre of excellence in next-generation network technologies. NGN’s vision extends beyond the confines of its lab; it is actively engaged in disseminating knowledge and expertise through comprehensive training programmes. These programmes cover a broad spectrum of critical topics, including fibre optics, Wi-Fi, cyber- security, and notably, 5G technology. Via these initiatives, NGN is cultivating a skilled workforce poised to navigate and shape the rapidly evolving digital landscape and producing a generation of future innovators and leaders.
SCTE Fibre Optics training is an ongoing process and has proved to be a very successful investment for up and coming generations in the industry. The high quality of training is valued by both trainers and participants. In a country like Kosovo, where there is a very young population requiring skills training, the Next Generation Networks Institute is at the forefront of a technological revolution, not just by introducing and leveraging 5G technology but also by empowering individuals and organisations through education. Its initiatives are laying the groundwork for a future where digital literacy and technological prowess drive progress, innovation and prosperity across the region and beyond. As NGN continues to expand its educational platforms and delve into new technological domains, it stands as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and transformation in the digital age.
www.ngn-ks.org
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scte BEnelux News Successful IBC Lecture on AI in Video
On Monday afternoon, September 17, SCTE Benelux hosted a seminar titled “Exploring the Horizon of AI in Video – Opportunities and Limitations” during the international trade show IBC2024 in Amsterdam. The event featured four insightful presentations, each diving into the dynamic domain of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the video and media industry. Ir. Ronald Peters from Irdeto discussed the transformative power of AI in the media and entertainment sectors, addressing challenges like deepfakes and the protection of intellectual property. Bart Vanderostyne from Robo-vision explored how AI-driven Computer Vision enhances efficiency, quality control, and real-time decision-making in industrial applications, drawing parallels to the role of AI in the video and media industry. Stijn Verrept from Nobi Smart Lamps shared the story of the Nobi Smart Lamp, demonstrating how AI and advanced
is being utilised for quality control and complexity reduction in video encoding and distribution. The sessions were moderated by Peter Veerman, who also led an engaging panel discussion afterward. The afternoon provided a clear illustration of how AI is being diversely and impactfully integrated into the industry.
vision technology are used for fall detection and prevention in elderly care. This has led to enhanced privacy, real- time response, reduced workload and personalised care. In the fourth session, Dr. Jan De Cock from Synamedia highlighted the rise of a multi-codec world, where new video formats such as AV1 and Versatile Video Coding (VVC) offer significant bitrate savings. He also showcased how AI
www.scte-benelux.eu
Second Tech Summit on the Threat to Communication Infrastructure
On Wednesday afternoon, November 13, SCTE Benelux, together with NLconnect, organised the second Tech Summit of the year. This inspiring event took place at Allinq Labs in Harderwijk, where three speakers addressed the theme “Critical Communication Infrastructure Under Constant Threat: How is the Telecom Sector Responding?” Marco Boerman, Director of Business Development at Allinq, and Rutger van der Graaff, Manager of Allinq Labs, discussed “Innovation-Driven IS Security.” They focused on enhancing infrastructure security through innovative applications such as Listening Fiber, AR as a Security Toolbox, Smart Asset Management and 3D BIM. Wouter Arts, owner and founder of WTH Security, gave participants insight into the world of a hacker. He demonstrated the process, from preparation to the execution of a (digital) breach. Topics included reconnaissance, tools used and how physical or virtual access is gained. The session was accessible and presented with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour.
Marco Boerman Director of Business Development, Allinq
Rutger van der Graaff Manager, Allinq Labs
Wouter Arts
Owner and founder of WTH Security
www.scte-benelux.eu
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Volume 46 No.4 DECEMBER 2024
scte BEnelux News 80th Anniversary SCTE Jubilee Dinner at a Masterful Location
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of SCTE, the annual SCTE Benelux dinner will be held at a truly unique venue: the Mauritshuis in The Hague. This renowned museum will be opened exclusively for SCTE members on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The Mauritshuis houses an extraordinary collection of world-famous 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings. Guests will have the opportunity to admire masterpieces such as Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, both before and after dinner. Attendees can also enjoy a guided tour before the meal begins. SCTE Benelux members have already received a personal invitation to this exceptional event.
www.scte-benelux.eu
DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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scte member focus
Member FOCUS Nicola Smith-Pryor Electronics Engineer, Blakeglow Systems
What got you interested in a career in the industry when you first started? Actually I don’t just work in the satellite systems industry, but security systems as well; I found the concept of transmitting satellite systems fascinating and really enjoyed doing the calculations of keeping the correct signal levels on the systems. I liked using filters to adjust the huge systems we installed to keep the higher frequencies similar level to the lower frequencies. You’ve had a varied career and have a lot of strings to your bow. How would you best describe what you do, and what do you enjoy best? I find the marking up of drawings and designing of security systems really interesting, probably the greatest enjoyment of all in my job. I also love interacting with clients and interpreting their needs so that they form part of the systems we design for them.
What memories really stand out for you over the years you’ve been involved in this industry? When I originally started I think I was probably one of the first women to work in our industry, so I found that either I was not allowed on a site as there were no female toilets available or I experienced the old “You can’t do that, you’re a woman” kind of discrimination which was common in those days. The industry has since changed an enormous amount, and I am now welcomed on site and regularly commandeer meetings because of my knowledge and experience. However, there still aren’t that many women in this industry and that I would like to see changed.
At the SCTE we take great pride in our individual members, who have made such a contribution to the growth and development of our industry. This section of Broadband Journal shines an overdue light on you wonderful people in every issue going forward, as well as regularly online.
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Volume 46 No.4 DECEMBER 2024
scte member focus
The sector has changed a lot over the years; what for you is the biggest shift? It’s mainly that satellite systems are becoming obsolete. I am fascinated by how much technology has changed and how quickly; in the 20th century progress was slow but since the internet has been invented, everything is changing and advancing so fast, it’s hard to keep up. What do you get out of being a member of the SCTE? There are a lot of interesting training courses available and the lecture and activity days are always interesting, informative and enjoyable. It’s good to network with people in similar trades too. What’s the single biggest impact that AI will have on your business? It is really the emerging threat of AI overriding the security of systems; but as AI gets smarter, so will the solutions to combat the threat. How do you see the broadband industry developing over the next 5 years? Primarily that broadcast via satellite technology will soon be completely obsolete. Viewing habits are now very different; younger generations consume media via apps, not conventional terrestrial TV, so I can see conventional television, even older companies like Sky really struggling to remain relevant as well. Did you have any mentors over the course of your career, and how did they help you? All the engineers I work with have always been so supportive and knowledgeable for me and from an early age encouraged me to succeed.
There are a lot of interesting training courses available and the lecture and activity days are always interesting, informative and enjoyable. It’s good to network with people in similar trades too.
What would you tell a young entrant just about to get started in this industry? Make sure you do what you enjoy; the scope in this industry is vast, you’ll always find something – find that aspect and make it your career. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. Trust your instincts. What is the best thing about this sector? For me it’s being part of the bigger picture and watching and knowing I’ve had a part to play in the huge advances in technology we see everyday.
www.blakeglow.com
DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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INDUSTRY news Vodafone Three Merger Increasingly Likely
Unite union representatives have warned of price increases, security risks and loss of jobs for UK workers, though the CMA will be taking all of these issues into account, as well as assess the merger based on whether it leads to a more competitive and sustainable market in the long term. While concerns about reduced competition may arise, the merger could be seen as an opportunity for two mid-tier players to better compete against the dominant market forces. If these benefits outweigh potential downsides, the CMA could greenlight the merger with specific conditions to safeguard competition.
millions of people who rely on mobile services.” Vodafone and Three note the CMA’s announcement that it will publish a Remedies Working Paper, for a final round of consultation. The merger would create a stronger competitor to the UK’s leading mobile provider, EE, as well as other established players. By combining Three’s 5G infrastructure with Vodafone’s broader customer base and network, the new entity could offer enhanced services, improved network coverage, and faster deployment of next-generation technologies. This could ultimately benefit consumers by fostering innovation and improving the overall quality of service.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is likely to approve the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three Mobile, but it will closely scrutinise the deal to ensure it doesn’t harm consumer interests. Historically, the CMA has been cautious about telecom mergers due to concerns over reduced competition and potential price hikes. However, the evolving telecom landscape, particularly with the growth of 5G networks, has changed the dynamics of the industry. Both parties have welcomed the CMA’s recognition that the significant improvements in network quality delivered by their Joint Network Plan will “boost competition between mobile network operators in the long term and benefit
Tech Giants’ Nuclear Investment To Accelerate Clean Power Transition
toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Kate Brandt, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Nuclear energy, alongside renewable sources, will be essential to decarbonise our global energy grid and support the growing demand for electricity.” Both initiatives demonstrate a shared commitment to sustainability and climate action. By supporting the development of next-generation nuclear power, these companies aim to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, ultimately helping to build a more sustainable and resilient global energy system. One industry insider welcomed the move, saying it was a no-brainer. “A hyperscaler or tech firm going all in on generative AI must consider SMRs if they are going to negate the politics of power supply.”
“Amazon is committed to reducing its carbon footprint across our entire supply chain and operations,” said Brian Huseman, Amazon’s Vice President of Public Policy. “The integration of SMRs into our energy mix represents a groundbreaking move toward cleaner, more reliable power sources that can help us meet our ambitious sustainability goals.” Similarly, Google has partnered with Kairos Power to advance the development of compact, modular reactors capable of generating clean electricity at scale. “As we work to meet our goal of operating entirely on carbon-free energy, this collaboration with Kairos Power marks an important milestone in our journey
In a bold move toward sustainable energy, both Amazon and Google have announced significant investments in advanced nuclear technology to support their ambitious net-zero carbon goals. The tech giants are partnering with leading innovators in the nuclear sector, marking a new chapter in the global transition to clean, reliable energy. Amazon revealed its plans to invest in small modular reactors (SMRs), a cutting- edge nuclear technology that offers a scalable and safe solution for low-carbon power generation. These compact reactors promise to provide cleaner energy with reduced environmental impact compared to traditional power plants.
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Volume 46 No.4 DECEMBER 2024
INDUSTRY News OFCOM Broadband/Telecoms Annual Reports published
Key findings n The total number of properties to have full fibre availability in 2027 could be as high as 29m (96% of all properties). If all network deployments are realised as planned, the number of properties covered by full fibre will increase from 18.7 million (as of January 2024) to around 29 million by May 2027. Gigabit- capable coverage could be in excess of 97% by 2027. n Plans in 2024 for full fibre networks up to May 2026 are lower compared with plans to May 2026 made in 2023. Comparing the planned network deployments with those received last year, shows that providers have revised their future plans downwards (by around 3 percentage points across the UK). However, plans for which operators have higher confidence of achieving is slightly (+2pp) higher than last year. n Networks are planned in all areas across the UK, although some regions can expect to see greater growth than others. For example, plans for full fibre networks up to 2026 in Scotland are broadly similar to those reported last year, whereas plans for deployments in Wales are 4 percentage points lower compared with 2023 plans. Variations in build plans for different local authorities are also observed, but, overall, we estimate 96% local authorities to see gigabit-capable coverage exceeding 60% of residential premises by 2027. n Both rural and urban areas are being targeted by network operators. If all plans are realised as expected, coverage of gigabit-capable networks in urban areas could increase from 22m (85%) today to 25.6m (99%) in 2027 and from 2.1m (49%) to 3.8m (88%) in rural areas. Again, this picture varies across regions and local authorities. n Almost all local authority areas in the UK have more than three network operators planning to deploy networks in the future; many regions having more than ten operators planning to build. n Some of this build is complementary whereas others may result in direct competition at individual premises. We estimate that up to 81% of UK properties will be able to take gigabit-capable services from two or more providers by 2027. n They also anticipate an expansion of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks offering high speed broadband services (>100Mbit/s). The data reports that, over the planned period, around 4,300 further FWA masts are being planned or upgraded across the UK, in addition to around 28,500 existing ones, that may be capable of offering high speed broadband. However, it is not straightforward to extrapolate from this information the number of premises that could receive these high-speed FWA broadband services.
In September, Ofcom released a series annual reports as part of their Planned Network Deployments communiqués to the telecoms and broadband sectors. According to Ofcom’s 2024 Connected Nations report, now available for download, gigabit-capable broadband coverage in the UK is projected to reach over 97% of homes by 2027. Full-fibre networks, expected to expand from 18.7 million properties in 2024 to 29 million by 2027, will cover 96% of the country. Both urban and rural areas will see substantial growth, with network providers focusing on high-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) in remote regions. Most areas will have multiple providers, enhancing competition and service options for consumers.
www.ofcom.org.uk
DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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