SCTE TechExpo26 brought broadband industry leaders, researchers and technologists together in Atlanta to explore the technologies transforming networks and the experiences they enable as the industry moves into the next era of connectivity.
Under this year’s theme — “Convergence Powered. Experience Perfected.” — TechExpo examined how the industry is moving beyond individual access technologies toward increasingly intelligent, integrated networks. Across the sessions and show floor, discussions connected technical progress with practical opportunities to improve reliability and develop differentiated services.
CableLabs experts contributed research and perspectives throughout the program, from AI-driven network operations to the evolution of broadband infrastructure. Missed a session or want to take another look at what you saw? The TechExpo Content Library and session recordings below will get you started. You can also access 2026 technical papers so that you can continue exploring the work beyond TechExpo.
AI-Native Networks and Intelligent Operations
AI is helping operators turn network telemetry into actionable insights, identify service issues and guide troubleshooting. Grounding these tools in operator data and incorporating technician feedback can improve recommendations, with human oversight guiding significant actions.
CableLabs experts explored how operators can deploy AI at the network edge efficiently, using less computing power and responding faster, and how agentic AI paired with human oversight can improve automation and reliability across broadband networks. Explore the session “Edge AI, Agentic AI and MCP” and the technical paper by Megan Collins, AI/ML engineer at CableLabs.
Another related paper:
- “Powering the AI-Native NOC: Agentic AI Strategies for Cable Network Operations on General Purpose Compute” (Randy Levensalor, distinguished technologist; Irene Macaluso, principal software architect; Alex Brudner, lead software engineer; Chaitanya Mahajan, senior AI/ML engineer)
Evolving DOCSIS and Fiber Networks
Better visibility into network conditions is helping operators improve reliability and plan upgrades. Structured plant data and digital twins can support more informed decisions, while proactive network maintenance (PNM) helps teams identify developing service issues.
Sessions explored the tools and operational practices supporting broadband network evolution, including CableLabs’ work on structured plant data and PNM.
Explore the sessions:
- “PNM Live! 2026: How PNM Shapes the Future of DOCSIS Operations” (with co-moderator Jason Rupe, CableLabs distinguished technologist)
- “The Machine-Readable Node: Structured Plant Data for Automated HFC Upgrade Planning, Simulations and Digital Twin Validation” (presented by Randy Levensalor)
Also, check out these related papers:
- “Beyond the Cascade: Rearchitecting the HFC Amplifier for the DOCSIS 4.0 Era Through 6 GHz and Beyond” (Eric Nachtigall, MS, principal architect)
- “Exploring 5G NR Access Features for DOCSIS Protocol Evolution” (Dorin Viorel, distinguished technologist; L. Alberto Campos, Ph.D., fellow; Karthik Sundaresan, distinguished technologist)
- “QKD Without Dark Fiber: Coexistence Performance Over SMF and Hollow-Core Fiber in Access Networks” (Jing Wang, Ph.D., principal architect of advanced optical technologies; Brian Rollick, Ph.D., lead architect of advanced optical technologies; Zhensheng (Steve) Jia, Ph.D., fellow and director of advanced optical technologies)
Advancing Network Convergence
As fixed, mobile and wireless networks become increasingly interconnected, operators are exploring new ways to coordinate network resources and support more consistent connectivity experiences.
CableLabs’ Secure Integrated Multi-access Platform Layer (SIMPL) is designed to link each customer’s DOCSIS, 5G and Wi-Fi services to a single account without replacing operators’ existing systems. Explore the “SIMPL: Secure Integrated Multi-access Platform Layer” session, presented by Omkar Dharmadhikari, manager and principal architect at CableLabs. The corresponding technical paper, co-written with CableLabs Lead Architect Rahil Gandotra, is also available.
Other related papers:
- “Seamless Multi-Access Connectivity: Architecting Experience-Centric Connectivity Across Fixed and Mobile Networks” (Omkar Dharmadhikari; Rahil Gandotra; Shafi Khan, principal architect)
- “Capacity Dimensioning Mobile Optionality on Shared Cable Access Networks” (Lauryn Smith, RAN solution architect; Mark Poletti, senior director)
Bringing Intelligence and Services Closer to Customers
Edge computing brings processing and content closer to customers, creating opportunities to support applications that depend on fast responses. As operators virtualize network functions, shared infrastructure can support local AI capabilities and new services while making more flexible use of available compute resources.
Sessions explored the practical deployment of intelligent systems across access networks and the infrastructure needed to support distributed, virtualized operations.
Sessions include:
- “Edge AI in Practice: Deploying Intelligent Systems Across Access Networks” (moderated by CableLabs’ Ben Hepworth, principal architect)
- “AI Infrastructure Enhancements for Distributed, Virtualized and Software-Defined Access” (featuring Paul Fonte, a senior director at CableLabs)
Also, check out these technical papers:
- “Converged Access Platform (CoAP): Co-Locating vCMTS and vRAN Workloads on Shared Cloud Infrastructure” (Michael Schweigert, senior software engineer; Lauryn Smith)
- “The Wireless Sensing Landscape” (Josh Redmore, principal architect)
Continue Exploring — and Help Shape What Comes Next
These sessions represent part of a broader conversation at TechExpo26 about turning network advances into better customer experiences. The program also explored cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, alongside the workforce expertise needed to put new capabilities into practice.
Visit the TechExpo26 Content Library for additional on-demand sessions, explore the published papers, or revisit our TechExpo26 preview for more on CableLabs’ participation.
Looking ahead, CableLabs Tech Summit brings the broadband industry together to help shape the future of connectivity. Built around the Technology Vision, Tech Summit’s practical sessions will explore how technology innovation can improve reliability, enable differentiated services and create new revenue opportunities.
Through technical depth and collaboration across operators and the ecosystem, Tech Summit provides a setting to move ideas into action and explore practical paths to deployment. Registration opens soon for CableLabs members.
If you’re part of the CableLabs vendor community, sponsorships are available — from a demo table package to new badge and lunch sponsorship options — giving you visibility among CableLabs members, access to all conference sessions, meals and receptions and the chance to network directly with decision-makers from CTOs to policy specialists. Learn more about sponsorship and the value it can bring to your organization.
