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Viodi View

Viodi View – 06/09/11

What inspires people to the path they walk through life.  A seemingly simple event or meet up can change the course of one’s life and, sometimes, even the world.  I am still thrilled about a meeting I attended a couple of weeks ago featuring a young man who is an inspiration for both the young and old and has already indirectly touched all of those who are reading this issue of the Viodi View.  Read more about him in the Korner at the end of this issue.


Integrated Critical Communications Infrastructure for Smart Grid by Alan Weissberger

This article is a summary of a very informative panel session that took place on May 25th at the Connectivity Week conference in Santa Clara, CA.   The focus was on wireless- not wireline networks- and how they can be used for Smart Grid Critical Communications.  This article is split into four parts:

Click here to read more and watch the following two videos for related information.


Smart Grid Partnerships

Click to view video interview with Ivan O'Neill of SCE
Click for Video Interview with Ivan O'Neill of SCE

Ivan O’Neill of Southern California Edison discusses their smart meter roll-out; they are deploying 8,000 to 10,000 per day from now to the end of 2012.  One of the benefits of this roll-out will be tools that will enable customers to better manage their energy usage.  O’Neill mentioned that they are looking for partners from telecom to retail to help customers realize the benefits of the smart grid.  Southern California Edison sees these partners as being critical to getting data to customer in places where they want to see it (e.g. the TV, Smart Phone, etc.).  O’Neill also points out the importance and challenge of respecting privacy of consumer data. Click here to view.


Leveraging the Cloud for Smart Grid Efficiency

Leveraging the Cloud for Smart Grid Efficiency
Leveraging the Cloud for Smart Grid Efficiency

Managing the massive amount of data generated from the “Smart Grid” is a huge challenge for utilities, indicates Kyle McNamara of Verizon Energy and Utilities.  In this video interview, filmed at the 2011 Broadband Properties Summit, McNamara points out that a robust cloud infrastructure is a natural extension of the Smart Grid.  He cites the cloud as a way to leverage an existing infrastructure, while reducing huge upfront investments in data-centers and telecom-related infrastructure.  Click here to view.


There’s a Map for That!

Jessica Ditto
Jessica Ditto

Producing accurate maps of broadband availability is no easy task, as evidenced by the state of Vermont’s admission a few weeks ago that their broadband maps are riddled with inaccuracies.  Good maps are critical for directing infrastructure investment in the right places.  In this video, Jessica Ditto, of Connected Nation, explains that mapping goes beyond infrastructure and is critical for understanding the demographics and the services that drive broadband adoption.  Click here to view.


LinkedIn and Skype $8B+ Valuations Contrast with Telecom & Networking Start-Ups which Can’t Raise Capital by Alan Weissberger

This is an interesting dichotomy. LinkedIn and Skype are $8B+ market cap software companies that have developed popular platforms (Social networking for “business professionals” and VoIP/conferencing) which depend on Internet access for customers. Yet, mature telecom and networking companies that provide the infrastructure (or “plumbing”) for the Internet have depressed stock prices. And more of them (Ericsson, NSN, Alcatel-Lucent) want to diversify away from network equipment to the telecom services business. In the past, cutting-edge telecom/Internet technology and innovation came from telecom/ networking start-up companies. But where are those telecom/networking start-ups now that we need them?  Click here to read the rest of the article.


Trends, Pathways, Challenges to Success by Roger Bindl

Shirley Bloomfield of NTCA
Shirley Bloomfield of NTCA

An overview of the challenges and successes at WSTA’s 2011 Annual Convention. Bill Esbeck introduces Governor Scott Walker as he is about to sign the new telecom bill.  Governor Walker stresses job creation and efficiency are an outcome they hope for as a result of this bill. Representative Honadel says that, “Government has caught up with technology,” while Shirley Bloomfield of NTCA speaks of the importance of unity and creating a path for moving forward.  Wisconsin’s new PSC Chairperson Phil Montgomery talks about the change in direction at his agency.  Click here to view.


Some Tweets and Short Thoughts:


The Korner – A Great Present from Zurb for WordPress’ 8th Birthday

Matt Mullenweg at Zurb on WordPress' 8th Birthday
Matt Mullenweg at Zurb on WordPress' 8th Birthday

What a great birthday present for the WordPress user; getting a chance to meet Matt Mullenweg and hear him share the story of WordPress and the vision that has made it a success.  Mullenweg was everything I expected he would be based on years of reading his blog, Ma.tt; witty, affable, gracious, humble, team player, smart, inspiring are some of the adjectives that describe this relatively young man who is, according to Bloomberg Business Week, “One of the 25 most influential people on the web.”

He echoed the words of Everett Christensen, when he said “What makes it worth doing is because it is hard.”  He said what motivates him is that he wants to make the software better.  He explained that WordPress is the paint brush and the canvas for people to express their stories. These stories and the way people use WordPress to express the human condition inspire him.

Matt’s story is an inspiration, whether we are 12 or 48!

Click here to read the rest of the story and some of the elements that have made WordPress one of the open source success stories of this decade.

Author Ken Pyle, Managing Editor

By Ken Pyle, Managing Editor

Ken Pyle is Marketing Director for the Broadband Forum. The mission of this 25+-year-old non-profit “is to unlock the potential for new markets and profitable revenue growth by leveraging new technologies and standards in the home, intelligent small business, and multi-user infrastructure of the broadband network.”

He is also co-founder of Viodi, LLC and Managing Editor of the Viodi View, a publication focused on the rural broadband ecosystem, autonomous vehicles, and electric aviation. He has edited and produced numerous multimedia projects for NTCA, US Telecom and Viodi. Pyle is the producer of Viodi’s Local Content Workshop, the Video Production Crash Course at NAB, as well as ViodiTV. He has been intimately involved in Viodi’s consulting projects and has created processes for clients to use for their PPV and VOD operations, as well authored reports on the independent telco market.

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