The discussion of “big data” at The Independent Show 2016 was a peanut butter and chocolate moment for at least one operator, as he realized that it serves as the bridge between the technical and marketing functions to provide a better customer experience. Jeffrey De Sarno, CTO of Westman Communications Group of Brendon, Manitoba, explains what he learned from one of the TIS panels, “The reality is if we can work together a bit more, such as leveraging the stuff we just learned with big data, what you end up having is a better relationship internally [between marketing and engineering] is a better experience for the customers because I [technical] have the data and marketing has the voice.”
It’s An Exciting Chapter
“It’s an exciting chapter we are entering into,” says Rich Fickle, president and CEO of NCTC in the above video filmed at The Independent Show. Fickle refers to the variety of suppliers demonstrating new technologies, from virtual reality, to various forms of over-the-top service integration. These suppliers are helping his members to enhance their broadband and offer new services and more choice to their customers.
Broadband, Broadband, Broadband – Keep On, Keeping On
“It’s always the same story, but this time to the nth degree”, said ACA president and CEO, Matt Polka. Speaking at the conclusion of the 2016 Independent Show, Polka explained how the regulatory environment has been particularly challenging this year as the FCC’s has been advancing new and changing regulations in a number of areas such as the set-top box, broadband privacy, Business Data Services and Open Internet. And these rules are not just from one regulatory agency, as one operator at TIS expressed concern about the potential impact of the May 2016 changes in overtime rules for the Fair Labor Standards Act.
A Spaghetti Plate Full of FCC Rules
Set-tops, broadband privacy and retransmission consent rules were some of the topics discussed on a panel at The Independent Show moderated by ACA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Ross Lieberman. Lieberman touches upon these topics in this interview filmed at the conclusion of TIS16. With all the ACA activity in the past week, it’s clear that Ross had only a short break after our conversation.
Connected Cars & Connected Cities – Making Them Smarter
The intersection of telecom, sensors and transportation to create “smart cities” is the concept that Adrian Pearmine discusses in the above video. Pearmine, National Director for Smart Cities and Connected Vehicles for DKS Associates, delves into the recent U.S. Department of Transportation Smart City Challenge and how it could be the catalyst for change in mobility, the way Google Fiber drove gigabit broadband service in urban areas.
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts:
Pokémon Go A physical wall is not enough to protect a #brand ecosystem as proven by the virtual invasion of Pokémon Go at the world’s most visited vacation resort.
- Pokémon Go Must Be Stopped – tongue in cheek title from Telecom Association of Michigan regarding a serious question
- @jaredbaumann “My interview about new C Spire TV. We are eliminating the need for a traditional set top box!”
- @AjitPaiFCC @urbaninstitute: 24% of final sales price of new home attributable to regulation.
- 20-40% improvement in utilization for only $10,500 seems like a pretty easy ROI for an automatic parking system
No Propane, No Charcoal – No Problem #CES2016
Summer is the time for barbecuing. But there is nothing more frustrating than running our of fuel when the steak is half-cooked. No propane, no fuel, no matches, no problem with the GoSun, solar-powered grill, as explained by GoSun’s Peter Harten. This isn’t an everyday grill, however, as, in addition to grilling, it will steam, bake, boil and fry with temperatures, according to GoSun’s website, of up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Harten explains that the materials are optimized for converting solar to thermal energy that is transferred to a vacuum sealed, dual layer glass cylinder.
But the GoSun is more than creating a better barbecue experience. Cincinnati native and GoSun founder, Patrick Sherwin, was motivated by his time living in Haiti and Latin America to use social entrepreneurship to help the less fortunate and founded the GoSun foundation in that effort. According to the site, “Every GoSun sold subsidizes the sale of a GoSun to the people who can benefit the most in the developing world.” So, he and his team have not only invented a device that will cook your hamburger, but will warm your heart at the same time.
