

The cable industry is now ardently pursuing a software-based strategy as it seeks to shift network functions and services from their legacy proprietary hardware to the cloud. Led by such major MSOs as Comcast in North America and Liberty Global in Europe, cablecos have started disaggregating their access networks and virtualizing network firewalls, routers/gateways, set-top boxes, cable modem termination system (CMTS) chasses and other key functions and equipment. It's all part of a broader drive to boost bandwidth, lower latency levels, scale operations, slash operating costs and deliver more advanced services to subscribers. This session will explore cable's evolving cloud strategy, look at where those efforts may lead and examine what the industry still needs to do.

Alan Breznick has tracked the media, telecommunications, broadband, and consumer electronics industries for more than 20 years. Before switching over to Heavy Reading in 2007, he was the original editor of Light Reading Cable Website and founding author of Heavy Reading's Cable Industry Insider. At Heavy Reading, he primarily focuses on cable/MSO services, technologies, and networks, as well as IPTV infrastructure. Alan was formerly a broadband analyst for Kinetic Strategies and a contributing analyst for One Touch Intelligence. He previously reported for Communications Daily, Cable World, Multichannel News, Broadband Daily, Crain's New York Business, and Genuine Article Press, among other publications.
close this windowSharen Sandhu is VP of Product at WISI America, where she leads product management and marketing for the North American division of WISI. Sharen and her team have a collaborative, customer-centric approach to developing WISI's carrier-grade video solutions and lead the industry with a world-class user experience. Sharen has a Masters of Science degree in Design and Digital Media from the University of Edinburgh, and worked in software development before turning her focus to product management. She is based in Vancouver, Canada at WISI America's headquarters.
close this windowAs President and CEO of ActiveVideo, Jeff Miller brings long-term vision and strategic thinking to address the technology and business requirements of service providers, content aggregators and app developers. He builds talented teams that drive technological change, most recently introducing ActiveVideo AppCloud - combining the power, independence, and diversity of the Android ecosystem with ActiveVideo’s industry leading virtualization technology and experience.
Jeff joined ActiveVideo in 2000 as vice president of engineering, responsible for an architectural transformation to increase scalability, functionality and cost-effectiveness. During his tenure as president and CEO since 2005, he has guided ActiveVideo through multiple large-scale virtualization deployments with operators including Charter, J:COM and Liberty Global.
Prior to ActiveVideo, Jeff co-founded RISQ Modular Systems, an embedded computer manufacturer. Jeff holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
Liam Bresnahan is the Senior Director of Product Management for Footprint at TiVo. With more than 12 years of experience in product management and technology, Liam drives success in creating products and partnerships for PayTV Operators that results in next-generation solutions for easily accessible content across multiple device platforms. Previously, Liam worked within Ericsson and Microsoft where he was responsible for Solution Architecture in EMEA, focused on Mediaroom, Mediaroom Reach and Mediafirst.
close this windowJean Macher is Business Development Director of SaaS Solutions for Harmonic where he drives the marketing effort for next-generation video solutions in the Americas. Macher joined Harmonic as part of the acquisition of Thomson Video Networks, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in MPEG-related solutions and digital television implementation. Macher holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Institut Supérieur d'Électronique in Paris.
close this windowDean Stoneback is the Senior Director of Engineering and Standards at SCTE•ISBE and is responsible for the development of standards and operational practices for the broadband communications industry. Specific targets include reducing energy usage through the Energy 2020 program; assuring that networks are ready for DOCSIS 3.1 deployments; enabling advanced and IP video services and digital advertising; developing Internet of things (IoT) deployment methods; and supporting the migration of networks from coax to fiber delivery.
Prior to joining SCTE/ISBE in 2014, Dean spent 26 years with the Jerrold division of General Instrument, Motorola and ARRIS. As a senior manager with ARRIS, he most recently was responsible for systems analysis and architecture development for transmission products for the cable industry, including optics, RF, Ethernet and PON products. During his career he has focused primarily on fiber optic, RF and PON transmission systems and has experience in systems engineering, hardware design, and system integration and test.
Dean was editor of and a contributor to the Third Edition of the NCTA Recommended Practices for Measurements on Cable Television Systems in 2002 and the secretary and a contributor to the SCTE Measurement Recommended Practices for Cable Systems, Fourth Edition in 2012. He co-authored a book on the return path entitled, “Broadband Return Systems for Hybrid Fiber/Coax Cable TV Networks.” A longtime participant in the SCTE Standards Program, he was the recipient in 2012 of the SCTE Excellence in Standards award. Dean received a B.S.E.E. degree from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA in 1988 and his M.S.E.E. degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA in 1993.
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