Two places at once. It may be a trite phrase, but it would be nice to be in two places at once next week. The first place would be at Anga Com. The BBF and some of its members will be in a booth, as well as speaking on a couple of panels. One must-see panel will feature the BBF’s Tiff Groves, Harmonic’s Pam Gillies, and ACA Connects/Boycom’s Patty Boyers. Although they come from different ends of the world, the wit and wisdom of these women are sure to be insightful and entertaining. Read the Korner below to see why I will miss this special event.
Thanks to the Broadband Forum, my employer, for supporting this newsletter. The content, views, and opinions expressed herein are not those of the Broadband Forum.
Automated Inspection for a World of Flying Robots [and those on the ground]
Recent headlines about outdated U.S. Air Traffic Control technologies have raised concerns about the scalability of automated flights, from drones to electric aircraft carrying passengers. However, these challenges are not insurmountable. The FAA, NASA, and industry leaders are actively developing procedures and regulations to manage a sky teeming with flying robots. Amid this transformation, one critical factor remains paramount: ensuring aircraft safety through rigorous inspections. Weflo has an answer with its automated drone inspection devices.
The Remote Tower Opportunity for Rural BSPs
The Remote Airport Tower concept is exactly what it suggests, as sensors (e.g., high-definition cameras) and connectivity allow human air traffic controllers to operate remotely from a given airport. The upfront capital cost savings for such an approach is significant (measured in the $3 to $4 million cap-ex compared to $ 100 M+ for a traditional airport tower). It also has an operational cost advantage by sharing air traffic controllers among multiple airports. Finally, having controlled airspace offers potential safety improvement. Perhaps a new coalition, outside the traditional aviation industry, could help them press the case with Congress and the Administration to start implementing this technology that will make air travel safer.
New Tools for Aging in Place
Kami Vision, a leader in Vision A.I. for home security and safety, has introduced the Kami Fall Detect Camera, a pioneering solution designed to support seniors aging in place. Announced at CES 2025, this device leverages advanced artificial intelligence to provide 24/7 fall detection, professional monitoring, and emergency response capabilities, ensuring safety for elderly individuals living independently. Additionally, Kami Vision plans to launch a complementary wearable IoT smart ring, known as “Da Ring,” later in 2025, enhancing their ecosystem for senior care.
Some Chirps and Short Thoughts
- Researching the article on remote towers uncovered this gem featuring advanced aviation experts, Anna Dietrich, Darrell Swanson, and Matt Polka. The impact on rural America of new forms of air travel is examined. The insight is still applicable 5 years later.
- Congratulations, Dennis Bachman of Citizens Connected. Well-deserved recognition of your efforts to bring fiber to Wisconsin. Shirley Bloomfield summarizes it well.
- Even though a haircut would be nice, this author is not ready for a robot stylist, as seen in this brief video.
- There will be another opportunity to discuss broadband technology and its direction in Germany at next month’s Broadband Forum’s BASe (Broadband Acceleration Seminar) Summit. Check out the overview video here.
The Korner – See You at the PoCs, Booth PoC-4 at FiberConnect 25 in Nashville
The Fiber Broadband Association’s Proofs of Concept demonstrations provide tangible illustrations of the Broadband Forum’s standards work to create interoperable and resilient equipment. We especially appreciate the FBA for providing the Broadband Forum with a space in the PoC area. Stop by and say hello, Booth PoC-4.
If you can’t find me at the booth, check out the Technical Deep Dives, where I will be moderating a couple of panels on the topics of monetizing and AI in the network, respectively. Both panels feature an all-star line-up of speakers, as seen below.
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