September 1996 -- Volume 8 Number 6
CableNET® '96 will focus on many of the applications and services that cable television networks will deliver to customers over the course of 1997.
Internet Access, the World Wide Web, and other data content delivered over lightning fast cable networks will be at the center of the annual technology demonstration held at the Western Show in Anaheim, California, December 11-13.
In addition, because many cable operators now are deploying some of these enhanced services such as data and telephone, CableNET® '96 will contain a large number of demonstrations of network management services that cable operators may employ to help control their broadband networks.
The online, working demonstration is now in its fourth year, appearing at the Western Show. It is co-sponsored by CableLabs and the California Cable Television Association (CCTA), which sponsors the Western Show.
CableNET® '96 will have 6,000 square feet of floor space in the Arena section of the Anaheim Convention Center. That's a 20% increase over 1995. Once again CableNET® will have a major presence on the World Wide Web at http://www.cablenet.org.
Approximately 35 companies have agreed to participate in the CableNET® '96 exhibit.
The companies that are focusing on data delivery and Internet access include LANcity, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Terayon, Com21/3COM, Zenith, Hybrid Networks, Bay Networks, @Home, Cisco Systems, NEC America, SkyConnect/Digital Equipment, WorldGate Communications and Philips.
Following is a list of some companies and what they will be demonstrating at CableNET®:
CableLabs to Assess New Digital Devices for Home Networks
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CableLabs has asked more than 200 vendor companies in every phase of the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries to report on their technologies and products in the area of new digital devices in the home and, perhaps more importantly, the new networks and applications they might make possible.
The request for information (RFI) entitled New Digital Devices and Their Impact on Future Home Networks investigates network computers and digital video disk (DVD) players, as well as new developments in existing technologies such as personal computers, video game players and television monitors, and their impact on design of cable set-top boxes and modems. These devices might be part of a yet-undefined residential network; CableLabs also asks for information on the requirements for designing and integrating such a network.
Dr. David Reed, CableLabs vice president of strategic assessment and RFI team leader, will use this RFI to evaluate various views on how a new residential digital environment may emerge, and to develop a strategy for how the cable industry can focus their efforts to develop services to serve this new environment.
The network computer, the so-called Internet appliance, receives particular attention because it might play a leading role in high-speed access to the Internet for millions of subscribers who do not use conventional PCs. And the digital video disk player, when it becomes practical, could replace the VCR while adding a number of extra capabilities for home entertainment and information.
Advances in the design of the set-top box could make it feasible and attractive to link certain combinations of digital in the consumer premises. Once a relatively passive device for tuning and program security, this technology could assume a number of new roles. For example, it could become a true network interface, a point-of-entry device or a network controller to navigate among various digital devices in the home.
CableLabs seeks input on the following three areas:
Hybrid Fiber/Coax Outside Plant Management System Request for Information
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CableLabs has issued a request for information (RFI) entitled Hybrid Fiber/Coax Outside Plant Management System.
Cable operators are discovering that proactive management of the Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) network is required with the introduction of competitive, interactive services. Status monitoring products currently available are expensive and have inadequate functionality. By utilizing an open, standards-based technology, vendors can more cost-effectively develop products that have the required functionality for proactive HFC network management. Increased competition (i.e., more vendor products), standardized interfaces, and added functionality (e.g., return path control) will lead to decreased manufacturing costs and increased usage of this technology by MSOs, which will in turn enable economies of scale to keep costs reasonable.
This RFI seeks input into the development of an open protocol and electronic specification for managing the fault and performance of two-way RF network devices in cable outside plant. CableLabs is soliciting information from manufacturers and developers (Offerors) with expertise in this area. Offerors are encouraged to submit any part of the protocol and electronic specification required for this end-to-end element management system.
CableLabs will take a technical and administrative role in this technology specification process which includes:
CableLabs Brings in New Staff
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Recently CableLabs has undergone some changes in its staff.
Tasha L. Abbott is the corporate events planner, a position formerly held by Donna Watford. She will be responsible for the planning and coordinating of all CableLabs seminars, conferences, trade shows and corporate functions. Previously she was the operations coordinator for a publishing company located in Santa Monica, CA. Abbot holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the University of Colorado and a certificate in meeting planning from California State University, Long Beach.
John Lee has been hired as project manager, wireless technologies. In this capacity, he is responsible for assessment of the competitiveness and strategic impact of new wireless technologies on the operations of member companies. Prior to joining CableLabs, Lee was involved in business development for US West International in Europe, South America and Asia. In addition, he was responsible for the design and implementation of cellular phone networks in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and Australia for Nokia Telecommunications and the design of communications equipment for Nokia Telecommunications, Finland. In Australia, he worked for Telstra on the design and implementation of satellite earth stations. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia.
David Scholze has joined CableLabs as Internet technologist. In this capacity, he participates in the development, implementation and analysis of research projects that focus on deploying advanced Internet technology platforms and services over evolving cable systems. He also is part of the team that manages CableLabs' World Wide Web (WWW) efforts. Before joining CableLabs, Scholze worked for Cortech, Inc. as manager, applications and systems development. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Swarthmore College.
Doug Semon is now director of network operations for CableLabs. He was formerly visiting executive to CableLabs from Viacom Cable in Castro Valley, CA. He is a member of the Operations, Technologies, Projects (OTP) group, where he is responsible for the network operations side of enhanced services projects. Semon is a 23-year veteran of the cable and pay TV industry.
Karen Mandeville Accepted as Fellow -- Betsy Magness Leadership Institute
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CableLabs is proud to announce that Karen Mandeville, vice president and chief administrative officer, has been accepted as a Fellow to the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute for 1996-97.
This prestigious year-long program is geared toward women in senior and upper-middle management positions within the telecommunications industry. Before being selected, Karen underwent a highly competitive selection process in which ultimately only 26 women were chosen for the program.
The Betsy Magness Leadership Institute is a focused program which uses direct feedback to refine personal leadership styles; concentrates on strategic, creative thinking and self-development; and enhances the participant's ability to deal with rapid industry change by being proactive with new industry opportunities.
In addition to holding a management position, other prerequisites for the program include demonstration in the following areas: ability to deal creatively with change; demonstrated commitment to new ideas; a bent for calculated risk taking; and a continued interest in growth opportunities.
The Betsy Magness Leadership Institute was established in 1994 with a seed grant from Telecommunications, Inc. and Women in Cable and Telecommunications, in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. It will soon begin year three of its leadership enhancement program.
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