Exhibit
MARCH 10-13, 2025
HYATT REGENCY ORLANDO
MARCH 10-13, 2025 | HYATT REGENCY ORLANDO
Join Us At CableLabs Winter Conference 2025
Registration for Winter Conference 2025 is closed
About the conference
Influence the Direction of the Industry Together
In two full days of high-impact sessions, we will dive into the Technology Vision for the industry, exploring the architectures, protocols, technologies and strategies required for an agile, next-generation network that is equipped to meet the demands of tomorrow. Each session will bring into focus a different component of the Technology Vision framework and shine light on next steps for building and evolving the network of the future together.
The action-packed forum kicks off Monday, March 10, with a welcome reception for attending members and exhibiting vendors, and wraps up Thursday, March 13, with member-exclusive project meetings.
Venue Details
Hyatt Regency Orlando
9801 International Dr, Orlando, FL
Why attend
An Event With Impact
Explore the CableLabs Technology Vision
Delve into the technologies that define this strategic framework.
Connect With Fellow Industry Experts
Engage in strategic discussions and exchange ideas with leaders in the field.
Future-Proof our Networks
Acquire essential insights to prepare your networks for upcoming challenges and opportunities.
Agenda highlights
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Featured Speakers

Zack Kass
Futurist, Former Head of Go To Market at OpenAI

Damian Poltz
SVP, Wireline Technology & Strategy, Rogers Communications

Jessica Shrum
Executive VP & Chief Strategy Officer, Cox Communications

Kevin Robinson
CEO, Wi-Fi Alliance

Anne Nguyen
Managing Director, Corporate Strategy, Liberty Global

Larry Wolcott
Engineering Fellow, Comcast

Wei Cai
Sr. Lead Data Scientist, Cox Communications

Pao Lo
Vice President of Network Engineering, Midco

Noopur Davis
EVP, Chief Information Security and Product Privacy Officer, Comcast

Sean Erkonen
VP Engineering, Cox Communications

Kim Keever
SVP & CISO, Cox Communications

Dawit Afasha
Sr. Director of Strategy & Architecture, Rogers

Diana Linton
Principal Engineer I, Charter

Dr. Robert Howald
Fellow, Comcast Communications

Elizabeth Chernow
Executive Director, Public Policy, Comcast

Robert Gaydos

Sebnem Ozer
Distinguished Engineer, Charter

Jud Whiteneck
VP, Internet Product, Charter

Keith Davis
Assistant Vice President, Cox

Ahmed Jafri
Manager, Wireless Access Network Expansion, Rogers

Emma Fox
Director of Product Management, Midco

Chris Burke
Principal Engineer III, Charter Communications

Rizwan Butt
Manager, Analytics & Insights, Rogers

Pradeep Kanda
VP, Network Security, Mediacom

Sanket Walavalkar
VP Network Data Sciences, Comcast

Pablo Castillo
Technological Innovation Manager, Izzi

Alex Reichl
VP, Mobile & API Service, Liberty Global

Don Annett
Principal Strategist, Rogers

Venk Mutalk
Executive Director, HFC Architecture, Comcast Communications

Becky Tangren
Vice President & Associate General Counsel, NCTA

Eric McLaughlin
VP & GM Wireless Solutions, Intel Corporation

Xin Qiu
Sr. Director, CommScope

Jayasheel Shetty
Head of Solutions, Mobile Networks, Nokia

Cory Baldwin
CEO, Aispire

Andrew Skafel
President & CEO, Edgewater Wireless

Charles Cheevers
CTO, Vantiva

Ed Boyd
VP, PON R&D, Ciena

Andrii Vladyka
Product Manager, Harmonic

Asaf Matatyaou
Sr. VP, Product, Broadband, Harmonic, Inc.

Payam Maveddat
VP, Business Development, Shabodi

Ewam de Freitas
Chief Product Officer, Veea

Clint Schow
Academic Professor, UCSB

Dejan Leskaroski
VP and Head of Product Management, Packet Core, Mavenir

Brady Volpe
Chief Product Officer, OpenVault

Luke Barlow
CEO, Netduma

Aaron Weimer
CTO & Co-Founder, Wiring the Future Networks

Alex Cronin
CEO, Nanites.ai

Phil McKinney
President & CEO, CableLabs

Mark Bridges

Ron Reuss
Senior Director, Strategy, CableLabs

Steve Jia
Fellow & Director of Advanced Optical Technologies, CableLabs

Josh Redmore
Principal Architect, CableLabs

Matthew Schmitt
Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs

Luther Smith
Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs

Neeharika Jesukumar
Lead Wireless Architect, CableLabs

Jason Rupe
Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs

Mark Walker
VP, Technology Policy, CableLabs

Mark Poletti
Sr. Director of Mobile Networks & Principal Architect, CableLabs

Cody Lundie
Lead Software Architect, CableLabs

Randy Levensalor
Principal Architect, CableLabs

Dr. Alberto Campos
Fellow, CableLabs

Gabby Gordon
Manager of Security Technologies, CableLabs

Shafi Khan
Lead Software Solutions Engineer, CableLabs

Sanjay Patel
Senior Director, Strategy, CableLabs

Dr. Curtis Knittle
VP Wired, CableLabs

Karthik Sundaresan
DT & Director of HFC Solutions, CableLabs

Ben Hepworth
Principal Architect, CableLabs
March 10-13, 2025
Please note: Updates will be made leading up to the event. Times shown below are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
7:30 am – 9:00 am |
Smaller Market Breakfast |
9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Smaller Marketing Conference (CableLabs Member and NCTA Guest Event)Register Now |
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm |
Welcome Reception for All |
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
Smaller Market Dinner(This is an invitation-only dinner for CableLabs MTO members) |
7:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Conference Registration & Information |
7:00 am – 8:30 am |
Conference Attendee Breakfast |
8:30 am – 9:00 am |
Opening Session
|
9:00 am – 10:00 am |
Keynote With AI Futurist Zack KassSpeaker: Zack Kass The former head of go-to-market at OpenAI will present his vision of a future powered by AI, providing a thought-provoking look into the technologies driving its evolution and how organizations can harness its potential. Learn how companies like yours can leverage AI’s transformative power to accelerate innovation and streamline operations. |
10:00 am – 10:30 am |
Break |
10:30 am – 11:15 am |
Shedding Light On Tomorrow’s Optical Access NetworksModerator: Dr. Curtis Knittle Look into the crystal ball toward the future of optical access technologies and get a glimpse of what could be possible 10 years from today and beyond. In this session, we will examine the innovations in optical components and fiber technologies required to flexibly deliver cost- and energy-efficient subscriber services and use cases over a highly reliable, fiber-deep network. |
The Rise of AI Automation: A Catalyst for Network InnovationModerator: Bernardo Huberman Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are accelerating innovations in network nodes, smart amps and modems. Explore how leveraging these advances — which include anomaly detection, network self-healing and other monitoring and optimization tools — can boost operational efficiency and improve security and reliability in the networks of the future. |
|
11:15 am – 12:45 pm |
Lunch, Exhibit Floor, and Networking
|
11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Broadband Lunch: Insights into Forecasting Network DemandCableLabs Members Only The evolution of network demand is a key aspect of network and capacity planning. However, outside of IP video transitions, growth has been light in previous years. Should operators expect this to change in coming years? If faster speed tiers and more capacity are no longer improving the user experience meaningfully, what else should operators focus on to create value for users based on how the network is being used? Join us for this insightful, in-depth discussion on how operators can navigate these changing demands and plan for the future. |
12:45 pm – 1:30 pm |
The What, Why and How of Future HFC Solutions (Part 1)Moderator: Karthik Sundaresan Explore the potential of future generations of DOCSIS®️ networks. Discover how the evolution of the technology — from requirements to technical feasibility analysis to development and deployment — will support tomorrow’s hybrid fiber coax networks to deliver increased capacity, improved reliability, enhanced security and lower latency. This session is the first in a two-part series. |
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm |
Shaping the Security Evolution: Strategies from Industry CISOsModerator: Brian Scriber In this session, three industry CISOs will share their insights on the current cyber-threat landscape, incident reporting and government engagement. Learn how they are working to protect networks against advanced persistent threat actors, and explore the impact of their work on service differentiation and network security. |
1:40 pm – 2:25 pm |
The What, Why and How of Future HFC Solutions (Part 2)Moderator: Mark Poletti In this second session covering the potential of HFC, we will explore the development of 5G features and leading 6G trends that can be incorporated into the HFC plant evolution. We will discuss some of the key trends that parallel the HFC plant evolution and highlight areas that can be harnessed to benefit the HFC plant. |
The Power of NaaS: Simplifying Connectivity with Zero Touch OnboardingSpeaker: Cody Lundie Dive in with us as we explore strategies for leveraging Zero Touch Onboarding (ZTO) to ensure secure, rapid and seamless connectivity for a range of devices. We’ll also uncover additional service opportunities enabled by ZTO, leveraging common provisioning hooks to coordinate security, bandwidth, QoS, and identity management across mobile, DOCSIS, PON, and Wi-Fi networks. |
|
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm |
neXus: Startup and Scaleup SpotlightSpeakers: Luke Barlow, Andrew Skaef Redefining the Connected Home Experience In today’s hyper-connected homes, an intelligent broadband experience that adapts to users’ needs in real time is essential for meeting customer expectations. Join us to hear how Netduma’s Optima takes it to the next level by setting new benchmarks for broadband delivery. By enabling service providers to meet and exceed their promises, Optima transforms connectivity into a seamless, reliable experience that can drive customer loyalty and operator success across homes worldwide.
Making Wi-Fi Smarter Through AI-Powered Spectrum Slicing Challenged by today’s densely connected environments, traditional Wi-Fi architecture struggles to deliver consistent performance. In a groundbreaking partnership with Arm Holdings, Edgewater Wireless is leveraging its patented spectrum slicing technology with Arm’s AI-driven processing at the edge, creating a paradigm shift in Wi-Fi architecture. Learn how their innovative approach transforms Wi-Fi from a single-lane road to a mult-lane highway, empowering service providers to deliver exceptional wireless experiences while reducing operational costs. |
NaaS Featuring Traveler Wi-FiSpeaker: Cody Lundie Discover how the broadband industry can provide hospitality guests a superior Wi-Fi experience by creating a secure private network for their stay and allowing them to select their desired tier of service. In this demonstration, see firsthand the power of Network as a Service APIs, learn about the Traveler Wi-Fi use case and explore how the trust domain API lays a foundation for differentiated services within industry verticals like hospitality and beyond. |
|
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
Break |
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm |
The Next Generation of Wi-Fi Access: Transforming the Connected Home and BeyondModerator: Luther Smith Wi-Fi remains critical for connectivity in and around the home. As Wi-Fi 8 and subsequent generations of the wireless technology evolve, they must be capable of delivering consistent, low-latency and seamless connectivity experiences and services. This session will delve into the capabilities and future development of Wi-Fi to support the connected home and beyond. |
Breaking Barriers: Building Scalable Telemetry for Multi-Access Network InnovationModerator: Randy Leversola Join us on a path to smarter, more responsive networks using a scalable telemetry architecture built on a standardized, high-fidelity data model. Learn how this approach can support converged networks and enhance real-time network management while unlocking AI-driven use cases to support organizations and automation across multi-access networks. |
|
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm |
Closing Session
|
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
Reception and Exhibit Floor
|
7:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Conference Registration & Information |
7:00 am – 8:30 am |
Conference Attendee Breakfast |
8:30 am – 9:00 am |
Opening Session
|
9:00 am – 10:00 am |
What Lies Ahead: Shaping the Future of ConnectivityModerator: Ron Reuss Hear firsthand from senior strategy executives as they share their perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities that are redefining the industry. This dynamic discussion will explore critical strategic drivers for the industry and how CableLabs members are navigating the rapidly evolving landscape. |
10:00 am – 10:30 am |
Break |
10:30 am – 11:15 am |
Spectrum Policy: Opening a New World of Connectivity OptionsModerator: Mark Walker The U.S. Government is contemplating opening an additional 2,786 MHz – or more – of spectrum for commercial use and similar efforts are underway around the world. These vast new swaths of commercial spectrum will create new and increased connectivity options and use cases – FWA, mobile, small cell offload, Satellite, Wi-Fi, etc. This session examines the U.S. government’s efforts to open additional spectrum for commercial use, the potential technical rules and licensing terms, and what it all means for fixed broadband providers in a world of growing connectivity options. |
API-First Networks: Building the Foundation for Future ServicesModerator: Ben Hepworth Discover the transformative impact of adopting API-first approaches in modern networks. As demands escalate in scale, complexity and expectations, integrating APIs from the ground up delivers unparalleled agility and resilience. Join us to explore how API-first frameworks enable seamless adaptation to emerging technologies, accelerate service deployments, and open new avenues for customization and innovation. Through real-world examples, learn why API-first networks are the cornerstone of scalable, future-proof services. |
|
11:15 am – 12:45 pm |
Lunch, Exhibit Floor, and Networking
|
12:45 pm – 1:30 pm |
Redefining the Road to ReliabilityModerator: Jason Ruppe Today’s network operators face new challenges to deliver reliable services over diverse access technologies. In this session, learn about the unique reliability obstacles of the various technologies and discover innovative strategies to enhance reliability in evolving connectivity and service models. |
Security Evolution: Threats, Technology and Product DifferentiationModerator: Gabby Gordon Evolving threats and new technologies are transforming the security landscape. In this session, hear how operators can differentiate their services through enhanced security features. Panelists will share insights into subscriber protections, management strategies and product enhancements that offer lifestyle improvements and stickiness to network services. |
|
1:40 pm – 2:25 pm |
A Coherent Path to FTTP DeploymentsModerator: Matt Schmitt Cost remains a key hurdle for the deployment of FTTP. While CPON introduces new features intended to help reduce the cost of deploying FTTP services, it’s not the whole solution. Join us as we take the wraps off several key features in the soon-to-be-released CPON specifications. We’ll also take a hard look at the economics of deploying FTTP generally, including identifying the key challenges where future innovations are needed to radically alter the equation. |
The Quest for Seamless ConnectivityModerator: Neetharika Jesumkar As the need to provide an excellent mobile user experience becomes critical, tomorrow’s networks must be able to operate together effortlessly, without the need for user intervention. Join us for a conversation about the need for — and the transformative benefits of — integration across Wi-Fi and mobile network technologies to deliver uninterrupted services and exceptional user experiences. |
|
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm |
neXus: Startup and Scaleup SpotlightSpeakers: Payam Mavaddat, Alex Cronin Unlocking the True Potential of Advanced Networks Evolving advanced network, cloud and device vendor architectures into intelligent assets is going to be transformative for operators seeking to unlock new revenues, increase network utilization and extend end user service offerings. Shabodi’s NetAware platform accelerates this evolution by enabling enterprises, system integrators and application developers to embed simplified network APIs into their programs to build vendor-agnostic, network-aware applications. Join us for this spotlight on how Shabodi is helping operators monetize their networks, increase usage and delight their customers.
Revolutionizing Network Operations with Agentic AI As networks grow more complex, the need for speed and precision in remediation has never been greater. Imagine AI agents that operate autonomously — acting with human-like reasoning to troubleshoot issues, analyze data and resolve incidents with unmatched speed and accuracy, all with human-in-the-loop approval. Learn how Nanites’ agentic AI system can streamline operations, enhance resilience and enable teams to focus on strategic priorities to set a new benchmark for efficiency in network management. |
Harnessing ATSSS: Seamless Traffic Switching for Uninterrupted ConnectivityModerator: Omkar Dharmadhikari In this demonstration, we will show how data traffic can seamlessly transition between 5G and Wi-Fi. The demo will compare user experience in ATSSS versus non-ATSSS scenarios, highlighting significant improvements to the experience as the network adapts to changing network conditions. It will emphasize how ATSSS can manage traffic across diverse access network types, enabling consistent and reliable service to users regardless of their network. |
|
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
Break |
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm |
Context Is King: Unlocking Differentiated Services With Smart NetworksModerator: Shafi Khan In this session, discover how network operators can leverage the power of context-aware network technologies to deliver tailored service experiences. By dynamically adapting to factors such as customer location, device type, application requirements and network congestion, operators can offer differentiated services that optimize performance, prioritize high-value traffic, enhance customer satisfaction and create new revenue opportunities. |
Balancing Economic Trade-Offs in the Last MileModerator: Chris Stengrim Faced with changing competition and customer demands, MSOs are navigating complex technology considerations in network evolution. This session will explore how operators can grow their networks and products while balancing opportunities — higher speed tiers, new services, new customer segments — with constraints, including capital expenditures, time to market, changing customer needs and preferences, and current and future competition. |
|
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm |
Closing Session
|
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
Reception and Exhibit Floor
|
7:00 am – 8:30 am |
CableLabs Member Breakfast |
8:00 am – 12:30 pm |
Conference Registration & Information |
8:30 am – 11:30 am |
Future-Proofing Networks Through NaaS, Security and PrivacyLed by: Chris Corcimiglia and Brian Scriber In this meeting, we will share status updates on projects and working groups related to our work on Network as a Service (NaaS), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) for Network Operations, and security and privacy objectives, including cyber technology policy. Meeting participants will also learn how work in these areas aligns with the Technology Vision. We will also cover how CableLabs is engaging with standards bodies including GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA, and discuss mutual engagement on pending cybersecurity threats. |
The Future of Networks: Fixed, Wireless and BeyondLed by: David Debrecht and Dr. Curtis Knittle Participants will get the latest on our teams’ work on technology development relating to both fixed and wireless networks, as well as fixed-mobile convergence, advanced optics and reliability objectives. We will share how CableLabs is aligning this work with the Technology Vision for the industry. In addition, this project meeting will provide updates about our collaborative work with standards bodies such as 3GPP, Wi-Fi Alliance, Wireless Broadband Association and the Broadband Forum. |
|
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm |
Grab-and-Go Lunches Available for Attendees |
See you next year!
Venue
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Cost
CableLabs Vendor: Please visit the exhibitor page for details
Have Additional Questions?
Contact us at [email protected]

Zack Kass
Futurist, Former Head of Go To Market at OpenAI
Zack Kass is an AI Futurist, keynote speaker, consultant, adjunct professor and the former Head of Go To Market for OpenAI. He has spent over 14 years in AI, leading large teams at some of the industry’s most important companies. His mission is to ensure individuals, businesses, and governments are active participants in the AI-powered future by demystifying AI, making it accessible and understandable for everyone, and helping leaders navigate the rapidly evolving environment.
While Head of Go To Market at OpenAI, Zack worked at the helm of the key team channeling OpenAI’s innovative research into tangible business solutions. Zack built the teams responsible for OpenAI’s sales, partnerships, and customer success and served as a personal advisor to countless executives deploying the technology across their business.
Today, he is considered one of the foremost thinkers in Applied AI. His thought leadership and techno-optimist views have been featured in countless publications, such as Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, AdAge, and Business Insider. Zack supports education and research at two major universities, and still advises Fortune 1,000 board rooms, including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Amgen.
Zack received his BA from The University of California, Berkeley, and resides in Santa Barbara, California.

Damian Poltz
SVP, Wireline Technology & Strategy, Rogers Communications
Throughout his 25-year career at Rogers and Shaw, Damian has served in strategic leadership roles including: SVP Wireline Technology & Strategy, VP Technology Strategy & Networks, Director of Network Technology, Sr. Director Communication Systems, Director IP Application Services, and Sr. Manager Video Application Development. Damian is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the SCTE.
Damian holds an MBA with distinction from Cornell University and Queen’s University, and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary.

Jessica Shrum
Executive VP & Chief Strategy Officer, Cox Communications
At Cox Automotive, Jessica led strategy for the domestic portfolio where her team worked with senior leadership to set the direction for the automotive business. Jessica’s team defined how to optimize growth, prioritize strategic decisions and recommend near and long-term investments. In her most recent role, she led operations for one of the fastest growth divisions in the Cox family of companies – the Cox Automotive Mobility business. Jessica and her team delivered profitable, scalable growth for fleet vehicle repair and maintenance services and helped define the trajectory for the EV battery future.
Before joining Cox, Jessica served in corporate strategy at BellSouth/AT&T and advised numerous clients for Andersen Business Consulting.
An active volunteer in her community, Jessica recently served as the finance chair for a local non-profit, Communities in Schools of Atlanta (CISA), which was founded by Anne Cox Chambers. She also holds numerous volunteer positions at her children’s school.

Kevin Robinson
CEO, Wi-Fi Alliance
Serving as Wi-Fi Alliance’s Vice President of Marketing for the last seven years, Robinson has led many of the organization’s most transformative initiatives and has been a leading ambassador for promoting Wi‑Fi and Wi‑Fi Alliance as a collaboration forum worldwide. Kevin oversaw branding, communications, market development, product management, program marketing, and public relations for the organization. He was also responsible for driving the development of Wi-Fi Alliance corporate strategy.
Before joining Wi-Fi Alliance in 2008, Kevin enjoyed working with early-stage technology startups on business strategy consulting and technology market research. Kevin is a veteran of the United States Army, where he served as a Captain in the Infantry. Kevin holds a BS in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from The University of Texas at Austin. He lives with his family in Austin, Texas.

Anne Nguyen
Managing Director, Corporate Strategy, Liberty Global
Anne was previously Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group in TMT and Digital Advertising, with further experience working with digital native companies in the publishing and automative space.
She is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Larry Wolcott
Engineering Fellow, Comcast

Wei Cai
Sr. Lead Data Scientist, Cox Communications

Pao Lo
Vice President of Network Engineering, Midco
Along with his 20+ year telecommunications career, Dr. Lo has a degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Wake Forest University, and an Educational Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. He holds advance certifications in Project Management (PMP), Six Sigma (SSBB), and Cisco (CCNP).
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his children, reading, outdoor activities, and volunteering and supporting Breast Cancer research organizations.

Noopur Davis
EVP, Chief Information Security and Product Privacy Officer, Comcast
Noopur joined Comcast from Intel, where she served as Vice President, Global Quality, Intel Security Group. Previously, she was a Visiting Scientist and Senior Member of Technical Staff at the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute, a Principal of management consulting firm Davis Systems, and held various leadership and technical positions in Fortune 500 companies such as Chrysler and Intergraph.
She is a champion of women in technology and serves on the Advisory Board of Comcast/NBCUniversal TechWomen. She is the recipient of the WICT Women in Technology and Woman of the Year awards, WeQual 2021, and has been included on the Cablefax 100, Most Powerful Women and Top Women in Technology lists multiple times.
Noopur holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Regions Financial and of Entrust.

Sean Erkonen
Wireless Network Engineering Manager, Midco
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, engaging in outdoor activities, and volunteering at local running events.

Kim Keever
SVP & CISO, Cox Communications

Dawit Afasha
Sr. Director of Strategy & Architecture, Rogers

Diana Linton
Principal Engineer I, Charter

Dr. Robert Howald
Comcast Fellow, Comcast Communications
Dr. Howald has over 35 years of technology and executive experience in communications systems and is a Comcast Fellow in the Next Gen Access Network Organization. He has taught graduate courses in communications and wireless engineering and published hundreds of papers related to cable technology across. Rob has a BSEE and MSEE from Villanova, a Ph.D. from Drexel, and an MBA from DeSales University

Elizabeth Chernow
Executive Director, Public Policy, Comcast

Robert Gaydos
Fellow, Comcast
Bob joined Comcast in 2005 as Director of Video On-Demand for the Product Engineering group, where he led the expansion of the content library by 1000-fold and made significant contributions developing the Cloud DVR and all-IP architecture. In 2017, he joined the Next Generation Access Network team as a Fellow, spearheading the virtualization of CMTS and Passive Optical Network. He integrated AI/ML and Software Defined Networking into the access network and applied these technologies to the Core IP Network.
Prior to Comcast, Bob worked in the cable and industrial process control industries. He has a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Lehigh University and holds several U.S. patents and a Technical Emmy Award.

Sebnem Ozer
Distinguished Engineer, Charter

Jud Whiteneck
VP, Internet Product, Charter
Jud was previously responsible for internet product performance and network intelligence where he focused on product performance, reliability, and strategic insights. He launched Spectrum’s CPE based speed test platforms and developed E2E latency measurement tools. He also established Spectrum’s Executive Steering Committee focused on internet reliability and led the development of many analytic data sets providing new visibility into the network, customer usage trends, and product performance.
Jud joined Spectrum in 2011 and has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado and an MBA from the University of Denver.

Keith Davis
Assistant Vice President, Cox

Ahmed Jafri
Manager, Wireless Access Network Expansion, Rogers
Recently, Ahmed’s work has focused on the adaptation of Fixed Wireless Access using 5G technology, helping to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities. Additionally, he leads a team that delivers tailored enterprise solutions through Wireless Private Networks.
With his experience spanning from 2G, 3G, WiMAX, LTE, Wi-Fi, IoT, and 5G, Ahmed has witnessed the transformative potential of these technologies firsthand

Emma Fox
Director of Product Management, Midco

Chris Burke
Principal Engineer III, Charter Communications
Burke has 22 years of experience in wireless and mobile data, serving in a variety of engineering, management, and consulting roles. Burke holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Texas Tech University.

Rizwan Butt
Manager, Analytics & Insights, Rogers
As Manager, Analytics & Insights at Rogers, Rizwan has led AI-driven platforms to enhance network utilization, demand forecasting, and next-generation connectivity. His work has been pivotal in shaping the 5G+ and Fixed Wireless Internet market strategy and supporting major industry transformations, including the Rogers-Shaw merger.

Pradeep Kanda
VP, Network Security, Mediacom
Pradeep holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunications from State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of Madras.

Sanket Walavalkar
VP Network Data Sciences, Comcast

Pablo Castillo
Technological Innovation Manager, Izzi
Currently based in Monterrey, Mexico, Pablo is passionate about technology, knowledge management, and network automation. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, reading, and hosting barbecues.

Alex Reichl
VP, Mobile & API Service, Liberty Global

Don Annett
Principal Strategist, Rogers
Don has 30 years of telecom industry experience. He spent 15 years at Nortel as an RF Hardware and System designer, 5years at TRLabs working with industry, government, and academia to advance technology commercialization, then joined Shaw 10 years ago. At Shaw, he was responsible for the development of their business wifi managed services and was involved in Shaw’s large public wifi deployment. He is a technologist at heart.

Venk Mutalk
Fellow, Comcast
Previously, Venk worked as Engineering Fellow and VP of Technology and Strategy at ARRIS. Venk has worked as Chief Technologist at C-COR and Technical Director at Philips Broadband. Venk has a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Syracuse University.

Becky Tangren
Vice President & Associate General Counsel, NCTA

Eric McLaughlin
VP & GM Wireless Solutions, Intel Corporation

Xin Qiu
Sr. Director, CommScope
As the Sr. Director of the CommScope PKI Center and Security Solutions, she leads a multi-disciplinary team with full P&L and functional responsibility across product strategy and marketing, R&D, security operations, partnership development, and customer support. Her technical expertise and strategic vision have driven impactful collaborations and large-scale PKI deployments with global manufacturers and network operators. Widely recognized as the architect behind CommScope’s world-class PKI, as well as its code signing and software asset management services, she has been instrumental in safeguarding billions of devices from cyberattacks by malicious actors.
Dr. Qiu, a Motorola Science Advisory Board Associate, was a key designer of the Emmy-award-winning MediaCipher Conditional Access System. She also authored the DFAST cryptographic algorithm, a cornerstone of the CableCard Copy Protection standard, which played a pivotal role in combating piracy in the cable industry.
Before joining CommScope, she served as a security architect, leading software and network security teams at startups. Her firsthand experience addressing real-world security challenges has given her deep insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Passionate about protecting connected devices and critical infrastructure, Dr. Qiu is committed to delivering innovative solutions that shape the future of cybersecurity.

Jayasheel Shetty
Head of Solutions, Mobile Networks, Nokia
Jayasheel has over 20 years of global experience in the field of Cellular & Wireless Broadband networks primarily working on the cellular RAN solutions.

Cory Baldwin
CEO, Aispire

Andrew Skafel
President & CEO, Edgewater Wireless
Under his leadership, Edgewater Wireless has developed groundbreaking products that empower service providers, enterprises, and industrial IoT networks to achieve unmatched performance, scalability, and reliability. Andrew’s visionary approach is rooted in a deep understanding of customer needs, ensuring that the company’s patented solutions address real-world challenges while setting new standards in wireless connectivity.
Andrew’s expertise spans over two decades, encompassing roles in product development, strategy, and executive leadership within the telecom and technology sectors. He has successfully cultivated partnerships with industry giants and key stakeholders, driving Edgewater’s growth and influence in the ever-evolving wireless ecosystem.
Committed to advancing the future of connectivity, Andrew is frequently sought after for his insights on Wi-Fi innovation and its transformative impact on global communications. His dedication to customer success and technology excellence continues to shape Edgewater Wireless as a pioneer in next-generation wireless solutions.

Charles Cheevers
CTO, Vantiva
Over the past 12 years, Charles has concentrated on the consumer home domain, focusing on the technologies and products necessary to complement services provided by global service providers. He has forged close partnerships with prominent silicon companies to foster innovation in product and service delivery, particularly in areas such as Wi-Fi and emerging fields like health and telemedicine. A frequent speaker at industry events, Charles is recognized for his influential contributions in shaping the future of connected consumer home experiences.
Charles held the position of CTO at CommScope Home Networks until January 2024, when it was acquired by Vantiva. He has also held executive and senior management roles at ARRIS Inc, Com21 Inc, and Apple.
Together with the Vantiva team, Charles remains committed to driving industry-leading consumer connectivity and video solutions for service providers and emerging markets.

Ed Boyd
VP, PON R&D, Ciena

Andrii Vladyka
Product Manager, Harmonic
Andrii holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunications. He co-authored several SCTE whitepapers and U.S. patents, and was honored with the SCTE Wilt J. Hildenbrand Jr. Award for notably advancing cable industry innovations.

Asaf Matatyaou
Sr. VP, Product, Broadband, Harmonic

Payam Maveddat
VP, Business Development, Shabodi

Ewam de Freitas
Chief Product Officer, Veea
Previously, as Product & Technology Lead at Liberty Latin America, Ewam spearheaded digital transformation across 20 countries, revolutionizing how millions of customers experience mobile, cloud, connectivity, and entertainment services. His leadership roles at Level (3), Charter, and Comcast shaped the
evolution of digital, consumer, and network services. Ewam holds multiple patents in network security methods that have strengthened the backbone of modern streaming platforms.
Ewam combines his unique background from James Madison University with executive business education from Daniels College of Business and Ross School of Business, bringing a distinctive perspective to technological innovation and product development.

Clint Schow
Academic Professor, UCSB
Dr. Schow has been an invited speaker and served on committees for numerous international conferences. He is a fellow of the IEEE and Optica, has published more than 250 journal and conference articles, and has 33 issued patents.

Dejan Leskaroski
VP and Head of Product Management, Packet Core, Mavenir

Brady Volpe
Chief Product Officer, OpenVault

Luke Barlow
CEO, Netduma
Luke oversees the company’s strategic growth, driving partnerships and innovation from its Cambridge headquarters, where Netduma’s solutions now power millions of routers worldwide.

Aaron Weimer
CTO & Co-Founder, Wiring the Future Networks
Luke oversees the company’s strategic growth, driving partnerships and innovation from its Cambridge headquarters, where Netduma’s solutions now power millions of routers worldwide.

Alex Cronin
CEO, Nanites.ai
Alex’s expertise spans industry-leading technologies, including Arista, Juniper, SONiC, NVIDIA, and Cisco, as well as open-source infrastructure solutions. He has successfully led infrastructure projects from strategy and design to implementation and ongoing support, creating scalable and cost-effective solutions for data centers, service providers, and enterprises.
Alex has also recruited and managed teams of personnel across engineering, sales, and marketing, closed thousands of deals, and forged over 50 channel and OEM partnerships. A thought leader and technical writer in open networking, he leverages AI and open-source technologies to empower organizations to innovate and drive measurable business impact.
Alex is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Phil McKinney
President & CEO, CableLabs
Prior to CableLabs, McKinney held technology and innovation leadership positions in major companies including serving as the vice president and CTO for Hewlett-Packard’s Personal Systems Group, where he was responsible for long-range strategic planning, research and development for the company’s PC product lines. In addition, he was the founder and leader of HP’s Innovation Program Office (IPO). The IPO was chartered to identify, incubate and launch adjacent and fundamentally new technologies, products and services that would become the future growth engines for HP. The success of the IPO is now shared in widely used case studies at Stanford University and Harvard Business School. McKinney also served as senior vice president and CIO at Teligent, and as a director at CSC.
Author, speaker and innovation guru, McKinney shares his rule-breaking approach to innovation and creativity in his book “Beyond the Obvious.” He has been credited with forming and leading multiple teams that Fast Company and BusinessWeek have listed as being one of the “50 Most Innovative.” His recognition includes Vanity Fair naming him the “The Innovation Guru,” MSNBC and Fox Business calling him “The Gadget Guy” and the San Jose Mercury News dubbing him the “chief seer.” In July 2015, his podcast, Killer Innovations™, became a nationally syndicated radio show that is carried by more than 30 radio stations across the U.S. In 2017, The Cable Center named McKinney an Innovation Laureate, in recognition of his role as a trailblazer and key influencer who is mentoring, teaching and motivating the next generation of cable industry leaders.
McKinney serves on the advisory board for Hacking Autism and he is chairman of the board for Pioneer Education Africa. In his spare time, he oversees his family VC fund, the Techtrend Group, that invests in for-profit start-ups to create economic growth as an alternative to traditional charity models.

Mark Bridges
SVP & Chief Technology Officer, CableLabs
Mark previously served as the Vice President of the Future Infrastructure Group as part of the Office of the CTO at CableLabs, where he spearheaded strategic planning for the future of access network technologies and software platforms. With nearly 30 years of experience in communications and software development, Mark is a seasoned industry professional with a deep understanding of the communications and technology industries. His tenure at CableLabs began in 2010, and over the years, he has made significant contributions to the company’s technological advancements and strategic direction.
Prior to joining CableLabs, Mark was Director and Chief Architect at Avaya where he was instrumental in defining the technology strategy and architecture for Avaya Global Services’ next-generation service delivery platforms. Before joining Avaya, Mark was the founder and CEO of VCS, Inc., a systems integrator, and platform development company focused on creating business operations and service delivery support systems for various industries, with a particular emphasis on OSS/BSS platforms for the telecommunications industry. He led VCS to a successful merger in 2001.
Mark studied Information Systems at the University of Georgia where he met and married his wife of over 30 years. During his leisure time in the fall season, Mark can be spotted on Saturdays at his favorite breweries in his hometown, Longmont, Colorado – always cheering for his Dawgs!

Ron Reuss
SVP & Chief Strategy Officer,
CableLabs
With over 30 years of experience in the communications industry, Ron has held roles in product strategy, product development and venture investment at companies including Level 3 Communications, BellSouth, and Gray Ventures.
Ron holds a Master of Science degree in management from Georgia Tech, a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Pennsylvania and Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Humanities from MIT. He is also certified as competitive intelligence professional.

Steve Jia
Distinguished Technologist,
CableLabs

Josh Redmore
Principal Architect,
CableLabs
He holds task-group leadership positions in the Wireless Broadband Alliance and Wi-Fi Alliance – most recently launching the Wi-Fi Data Elements and Wi-Fi Home Design certification programs.
Prior to CableLabs, Josh spent eight years leading a global support organization for Voice over Wi-Fi products, and a further decade in wired networking.
He holds an Engineering Master’s degree from the University of Colorado, has several patents in wireless signal identification and distribution, serves as the Vice President of the board of directors for the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair, and is CWNE #376.

Matthew Schmitt
Principal Architect, CableLabs

Luther Smith
Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs

Neeharika Jesukumar
Lead Wireless Architect, CableLabs
Neeharika holds a Master’s degree in EE from The University of Colorado, Boulder and has multiple patents and publications in the Wireless domain.

Jason Rupe
Distinguished Technologist, CableLabs

Mark Walker
VP, Technology Policy, CableLabs

Mark Poletti
Sr. Director of Mobile Networks & Principal Architect, CableLabs
Prior to CableLabs, Mark built, managed, and operated 2G, 3G and 4G networks for US WEST, T-Mobile, and Clearwire. He has also been addressing mobile operator design, operations, and performance issues of 2G, 3G, 4G, and satellite networks for over 30 years with companies such as ViaSat, Clearwire, ATECS/Centerline, U S WEST/Qwest, and General Electric.
Mark holds a M.S. in Telecommunications from University of Colorado, B.S. Physics from SUNY Buffalo and has multiple issued and pending patents.

Cody Lundie
Lead Software Architect, CableLabs
Currently serving as a project lead for the Zero-Touch Onboarding (ZTO) initiative, Cody leads efforts in technical development, API standardization, and collaboration with member and vendor communities to drive the adoption of Zero-Touch technologies.
As moderator for “The Power of NaaS: Simplifying Connectivity with Zero-Touch Onboarding” at Winter Conference ’25, Cody brings his background in Network-as-a-Service to guide a discussion on how Zero-Touch Onboarding is reshaping device connectivity and how seamless connectivity unlocks untapped use cases.

Randy Levensalor
Principal Architect,
CableLabs
Prior to joining CableLabs, Randy gained extensive experience leading R&D, DevOps, and product management across several Hewlett-Packard divisions focusing on successfully delivering its public cloud, Linux and converged management solutions.
Randy is actively involved in CNCF, OPNFV, OpenStack and OpenDaylight and contributes to key industry standardization efforts including ETSI NFV. A subject matter expert, he has spoken on a broad range of topics at several conferences including the Open Networking Summit, OpenStack Summit, OPNFV Summit, Big Communications, SCTE Cable Tech Expo, NFV World Congress, SDN World Congress, Linux Conference Australia, Automation Everywhere and many more. Randy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Virginia Tech.

Dr. Alberto Campos
Dr. Campos holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science and a Ph D. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in Massachusetts.

Gabby Gordon
Manager of Security Technologies, CableLabs

Shafi Khan
Lead Software Solutions Engineer, CableLabs

Sanjay Patel
Senior Director, Strategy,
CableLabs
Before joining CableLabs in 2014, Sanjay led product and strategy for Comcast’s wholesale services business unit. Prior to that, he held several roles in finance, product, strategy and corporate development for Level 3 Communications. In addition, Sanjay has worked as a Certified Public Accountant. Sanjay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.

Karthik Sundaresan
DT & Director of HFC Solutions, CableLabs
Previously, he developed SoC & ASIC designs for MPEG encoders, analog video decoders and cable modems at Conexant Systems, and developed embedded software for telecom networking equipment at Carrier Access. Karthik holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (University of Colorado, Boulder), a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and is a past Chair of the IEEE Communications Society, Denver Chapter.

Ben Hepworth
Principal Architect, CableLabs
As Principal Architect at CableLabs, Ben plays a key role in shaping the future of broadband by driving API-first strategies and network automation initiatives. He is also helping drive network APIs at CAMARA, ensuring next-generation networks are built with flexibility, security, and interoperability at their core.
As moderator for API First Networks: Building the Foundation of the Future at Winter Conference ’25, Ben will lead a discussion on the foundations of API-first network architecture, its role in enabling new differentiated services, and how it enhances customer experiences by reducing friction.

Dr. Curtis Knittle
VP Wired, CableLabs
Prior to joining CableLabs, Curtis led an engineering team at Harmonic, Inc to develop the world’s first CMTS-in-a-node and Ethernet-switch-in-a-node, both solutions representing the first instantiation of what today is called deep fiber distributed architecture solutions for the cable industry. Curtis also chaired the IEEE 802.3ca 50G-EPON task force, helping to usher in the first 50 Gb/s PON solution.
Curtis holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, and Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University.























