What are the cable industry’s latest optical and FTTP trends and technology developments? What does the future of fiber optics look like? How can operators and vendors get on the same wavelength to promote innovation and adoption? Connect with CableLabs vendor and member communities to discuss these questions and more at CableLabs Envision Vendor Forum 2023: FTTP & Optical.

Envision is a two-day virtual event that takes place May 3–4, 2023, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. MDT on both days. Join executives, senior technologists and strategists to hear from industry leaders on key technology, policy and security strategies for fiber optical infrastructure deployments. The last day to register is April 28, 2023 (registration link below).

“CableLabs is seeing strong interest by our member companies world-wide to increase investments in optical deployments. Our goal at this event is to initiate the strategic and technical dialogue between our member and vendor communities to fuel the development of innovative, reliable and interoperable solutions for the market. The lineup of industry influencers this year is incredible, and I look forward to hearing everyone’s views.” —Dr. Curtis Knittle, VP of Wired Technologies

This year’s sessions include:

Operator Wish Lists for Optical and FTTP

Wednesday, May 3, 9:10 - 9:55 a.m. MDT

Israel Madiedo, Director of Innovation and Technology at Izzi, and Robert Kuse, Director at Cox Business Network Engineering, will offer global perspectives on the pain points they’re experiencing as they plan and deploy optical and FTTP projects.

Accessing Coherent: Activating the Access Network

Wednesday, May 3, 9:55 - 10:25 a.m. MDT

Coherent technology is finally coming to the access network. Shawn Esser, Director of Product Management at Coherent, and Fernando Villareal, Chief Architect at Ciena, will discuss implementation, new and emerging products and the new service opportunities this development will enable.

Unlocking the Future of Tech: Exploring the World of Optical Innovations

Wednesday, May 3, 10:35 - 10:55 a.m. MDT

Dr. Steve Jia of CableLabs dives into the latest in coherent optical technology, distributed optical fiber sensing, quantum networking and more.

Hurricane Heroes: Comcast’s Recovery from Hurricane Ian

Wednesday, May 3, 10:55 - 11:20 a.m. MDT

Venk Mutalik, Comcast Fellow, shares how Comcast used P2P coherent optics to speed up recovery after Florida’s Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Operator Spotlight: PONtificating Fiber’s Future for the Next Decade

Thursday, May 4, 9:10 - 9:40 a.m. MDT

How do operators see PON evolving? What are the key factors that operators are considering now that will drive their deployments in the years to come? John Lee, NGA Architect at Vodafone, and Eric Svenson, CTO and VP of Engineering and Technical Operations at Armstrong, will address these key questions and many more.

Getting on the Same Wavelength: The Importance of Interoperability in PON Equipment

Thursday, May 4, 9:40 - 10:00 a.m. MDT

Hear operator and vendor perspectives from Dr. Pao Lo, VP of Network Engineering at Midco, and Ryan Nicometo, Senior VP and GM of Video Broadband Solutions at Vecima Networks, about the importance of interoperability for PON equipment. What impact can the industry expect? How should interoperability best be approached?

Spotlight: CableLabs Optical Program Highlights

Thursday, May 4, 10:10 - 10:25 a.m. MDT

CableLabs shares its roadmap for evolving optical technologies for the industry. This discussion will include updates on current and upcoming activities and available resources. Learn about the key research tracks and their leaders, as well as how to best engage or follow the activities.

INSIGHTS: Cable & PON from the Vendor Perspective

Thursday, May 4, 10:25 - 11:05 a.m. MDT

What can the cable community do to increase the velocity of PON adoption? Join industry experts from Calix, Ciena and Nokia to discuss the challenges of selling into and supporting the cable industry as operators move toward FTTx.

Across the Spectrum: An Analyst’s View

Thursday, May 4, 11:05 - 11:20 a.m. MDT

Close out the day with the latest perspective on the optical market. Hear Jaimie Lenderman, Principal Analyst and Research Manager at Omdia, give highlights on trends and anticipated growth for the next decade.

Register now and join us as we dive deep into industry challenges, technology hurdles for operators, and thought-leading vendor perspectives to accelerate innovation and adoption. We hope to see you there!

Registration closes April 28, 2023. This event is closed to the press, media and analysts.

Innovation isn’t just about creating new products. It’s about bringing together diverse thoughts, perspectives and experiences to solve big problems. At Innovation Boot Camp, CableLabs members and employees work together in an intimidation-free zone to immerse themselves in the innovative process, from inspiration to final pitch.

During the week of April 24–28, 2023, CableLabs will host the 20th Innovation Boot Camp, where innovators will receive hands-on experience and live coaching from CableLabs CEO Phil McKinney and other expert speakers and coaches. In this spring’s all-virtual format, participants will learn the FIRE framework (Focus, Ideation, Ranking, and Execution), experience the innovation process end to end; and learn strategies that they can apply to their own teams and projects immediately.

It’s an inspiring environment designed to bring the industry closer together and share new ways of creating and innovating.

But do any of the ideas developed at Innovation Boot Camp actually make it to market? Yes, they do.

A Market-Ready Solution to a Real-World Problem

Innovation Boot Camp pulls out all the stops to help participants tackle real issues that they’re facing in their businesses or other contexts. The innovative process we teach is designed to generate ideas that result in viable solutions, many of which have gone on to production.

One of those ideas was Kyrio’s ARC HotSpot, a technology that delivers automated failover for broadband networks. The idea for ARC HotSpot was born out of the 2020 Innovation Boot Camp, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when companies urgently needed reliable remote-work solutions. By holding the very first virtual Innovation Boot Camp in the midst of this new world of work, CableLabs gave participants an opportunity to collaborate and innovate despite lockdown restrictions.

The challenge of the 2020 Innovation Boot Camp was to come up with a technology idea that would make working from home a better experience. Participants learned from veteran coaches, then broke into teams to begin the ideation process. One of those teams was Team Echo, which consisted of CableLabs employees from various backgrounds and areas of expertise, including CableLabs’ Director of Procurement Zen Mykytyn.

During a brainstorming session, Zen observed that one of the most difficult challenges of navigating virtual work and school was keeping everyone connected during a service outage. With two parents working from home and kids logged in to Zoom classrooms, even a short outage resulted in house-wide panic as meetings were disrupted and no one could do their work.

But what if there was a technology that could solve that problem?

Zen’s observation was the spark that launched a week of brainstorming, iterating, investigating and developing the idea that eventually became ARC HotSpot.

From Inspiration to Pitch

With the idea in hand, Zen and the other members of Team Echo started developing a solution. Coached by John Bahr, the team came up with the idea of using a smartphone as a hotspot for the entire home network. They conducted a live customer experience conversation to get real feedback on the idea, put together a one-sheet and a storyboard, and developed a pitch that they would present to the Innovation Boot Camp panel at the end of the week.

“CableLabs’ Innovation Boot Camp, while a fun learning experience, is also a place where game-changing ideas happen,” said coach John Bahr. “My team came up with a solution to a problem that was at the forefront of real customers’ minds during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. Executing on that solution to turn it into a real product was just so cool!”

At the end of the week, Team Echo pitched their idea over Zoom. Just a few short minutes after Zen began presenting, his connection dropped. One of the other team members picked up the pitch as everyone waited for Zen to re-establish his connection. It was a brilliant, planned demonstration of the exact use case that made the team’s idea so relevant, and the panel agreed it was an idea worth pursuing.

After Innovation Boot Camp ended, John Bahr gave a demonstration that generated significant interest. Kyrio non-exclusively licensed the intellectual property from CableLabs and developed its own implementation, and ARC HotSpot was born.

Innovation Is a Team Sport

Zen strongly believes that the positive, nurturing environment of Innovation Boot Camp and the diversity of the team made it possible for his idea to come to fruition.

“My team included John Bahr, Greg White and Mark Bridges,” he said. “They’re all really smart guys and experts in their fields, but they’re all different. My field isn’t technical thinking or awareness, but working with them gave me a glimpse into what they do every day and how they think. My idea wouldn’t have come to be without the rest of the team.”

That diversity of experience lies at the heart of Innovation Boot Camp’s mission. We believe that great ideas can come from anywhere—and they do. Innovation is a team sport that thrives when diverse thinkers come together in an intimidation-free environment to make things better.

If you’re looking for a hands-on experience that puts words and ideas into action, Innovation Boot Camp is ideal for you. You’ll learn to challenge your thinking, develop new skills and put those skills into action as you work with a team of other innovators.

Ready to see what it’s all about? Join us for the next CableLabs Innovation Boot Camp. Spots are limited, and innovation topics do vary.

CableLabs congratulates Capgemini, Fujitsu, GXC, Lions Technology, Mavenir, NewEdge Signal Systems and Radisys for being selected as contestants in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) and Department of Defense's 5G Challenge. The competition is hosted by CableLabs, and contestants will compete for up to $7 million in cash and in-kind prizes. This group of participants was selected for their commitment and contributions to developing open and interoperable networks in the 5G ecosystem.

Like the 2022 5G Challenge, this year’s challenge will focus on testing interfaces among the Open RAN-specified subsystems and end-to-end integration, as well as testing handovers between different vendors.  The Challenge seeks to accelerate adoption of 5G open interfaces, interoperable subsystems and multi-vendor solutions by:

• Utilizing existing standards for new providers
• Encouraging modular product development
• Reducing barriers to entry for new solution providers
• Leveraging industry trends
• Demonstrating multi vendor interoperability.

Awards will go to high-performing Open RAN solutions that showcase multi-vendor interoperability across radio, centralized and distributed units.

5G Challenge Host Lab Offers Cutting Edge Capabilities

For the second consecutive year, CableLabs will partner with its subsidiary Kyrio, the first O-RAN Alliance Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) in the Americas, to host the 5G Challenge. Our state-of-the-art 5G lab deploys fully virtualized 5G networks and mobile network technology expertise to ensure that testing meets NTIA/ITS’s goals with reliable, secure testing to industry standards.

As the host lab, CableLabs will perform wraparound emulation testing on each contestant subsystem individually and then end-to-end multi-vendor interoperability and performance testing. We’re including state-of-the-art testing systems from both Keysight and VIAVI to support the goals of the 2023 5G Challenge. Contestants will be challenged to integrate with fellow contestants’ subsystems and participate in multiple rounds of integration and performance testing—the primary thrust of this year’s challenge.

CableLabs developed the test plans in conjunction with the NTIA to focus on O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP conformance. Testing will involve multiple gNB configurations, which contain different Open RAN subsystems. The information gathered during the testing process will inform vendors, NTIA-ITS, the Department of Defense and the 5G ecosystem as a whole about the current state of the O-RAN vendor community. Stakeholders will also acquire valuable data about the benefits of interoperability and the potential for future innovations in 5G open systems and wireless networks.

As an added benefit, integration testing will include adherence to applicable O-RAN Alliance specifications. Challenge participants may receive a badge or certification from Kyrio under its OTIC lab authority.

CableLabs Technical Expertise

With our deep technical experience and wireless network expertise, CableLabs is uniquely positioned to provide support staff for the 5G Challenge. CableLabs and Kyrio staff will assist contestant teams to ensure complete and accurate testing and will provide technical analysis of each test to the NTIA-ITS.

We’re looking forward to meeting all the 2023 5G Challenge contestants at our 5G lab as we continue investing in the development of an open 5G ecosystem.

How we experience the digital world is about to get a whole lot more exciting. The newest film in the “Near Future” series shows what a day in the life of a family looks like as technology transforms how they work, study and engage with each other. Imagine interacting with virtual people and places that feel real and propel you into new worlds. This is the future that the “Step Inside” film explores—and it’s not that far off.

Immersive Media

In the film, a virtual 3D talking rabbit and a lifelike prowling tiger enhance the children’s learning and play through an immersive experience. With holographic and light field technologies, characters come to life with realistic depth and presence so that the family can interact with them.

Light Field Displays

Imagine 3D displays that don’t require special glasses or headsets. This is what the main character, Clara, experiences when she’s in the meeting with her investors and they can exchange glances. With light field technology, multiple people can view the same thing at the same time using displays on walls, tabletops or even entire stage floors.

Holographic Telepresence

As Clara is briefed on a developing hurricane, she and her remote team can observe the storm’s pathway simultaneously via a life-size holographic projection. Holographic telepresence technology allows multiple users to experience the same three-dimensional media at the same time and from different angles. Clara also presents remotely to her board members as if they are all in the same room together. With holographic telepresence, it’s easier to build bonds and create deeper connections. These holograms are three-dimensional images formed by the interference of light beams from lasers or other light sources.

Advanced AI Avatars

In the film, Clara’s assistant helps her prepare for her presentation and also sees she’s nervous and provides her with guidance to calm her. AI avatars are digital representations of a human in a virtual setting powered by artificial intelligence. These avatars can take the form of a multitude of personas that are capable of authentic, human-like communication and designed to educate, guide and entertain us.

AR Smart Glasses

Ben and Clara take their avatars on the go with technologically sophisticated glasses that look like the eyewear many of us wear today. The difference? AR smart glasses will bridge our real-world experiences with our digital lives. Instead of head-mounted displays (HMDs), the sleek smart glasses of the future will allow us to interact with digital objects and information overlays directly within our field of vision.

Quantum Computing

Clara is with her team watching the developing hurricane. Quantum computing is powering the highly detailed storm analytics. In Clara’s case, this technology reroutes the ships, potentially saving lives and the business. With quantum, computers can simulate complex scenarios and optimize advantageous outcomes faster than classical computers.

What’s Next?

Each of these innovations is already in development, paving the way for our next-generation experiences. CableLabs is at the forefront of what’s new and next, innovating today for the broadband of tomorrow.

Innovation is unleashed in an environment of collaboration, experimentation and expertise. By guiding early-stage ideas from concept to real-world deployment, the industry and end users benefit. CableLabs has a range of labs designed to strengthen and support collaboration and broadband innovation. Members, vendors and other collaborators can join forces to create a multitude of network architectures and scenarios to explore and test new solutions. With this degree of interaction and cooperation, innovation is amplified.

Research & Development Labs

Our R&D Labs host advanced technologies and expertise including various unique test environments. The labs include everything from AI and machine learning to Wi-Fi, mobile and convergence. They also include hybrid fiber coax, advanced optics, fiber, cloud-native, security, PHY/RF analysis and more. These labs can be interconnected to simulate various network architectures.

Kyrio Test Services

Kyrio, a subsidiary of CableLabs, uses labs to provide testing for the unique requirements of individuals or groups of operators or vendors. These services allow devices and systems to be tested for interoperability, performance, requirements compliance, specification conformance and operator acceptance, encouraging confident new tech adoption.

System & Device Test Environments

These labs are used by Kyrio and can be configured to replicate a wide range of scenarios using large anechoic chambers, 3D printed radio frequency modeling and advanced optics benching. A specific test scenario can be simulated when combined with our other labs.

Next-Generation Technologies Lab

This lab investigates and tests technologies, such as quantum encryption, allowing experimentation with long-term possibilities. In this lab, our team works to develop new quantum networking mechanisms to defend against cyber-attacks and access quantum computers.

Moving technologies through the entire life cycle—from R&D through testing and certification and into the real world—CableLabs’ lab environments support the key phases in network technology development and deployment. As an industry, we’re stronger together. That’s why we collaborate to advance innovation for next-generation technology.

If you’re interested in collaborating to unlock the broadband of tomorrow, check out the “Lab Overview” page on our website. You’ll find a deeper dive into how these labs empower the industry to develop new service offerings, achieve enhanced levels of network efficiency and reduce the risks that come with innovation.

CableLabs has been selected to serve as the host lab for the 5G Challenge for the second year. The 5G Challenge aims to accelerate the adoption of 5G open interfaces, interoperable subsystems and multivendor solutions. By fostering a large, vibrant and growing vendor community, the goal of driving 5G interoperability toward true plug-and-play operation can be achieved.

“Given our commitment to the continuous research and development of advanced mobile technologies, we are excited to be part of this collaborative effort to help accelerate the development and widespread deployment of open and interoperable 5G networks,” said David Debrecht, vice president of Wireless Technologies.

The first year of the challenge focused on the interfaces among the Open RAN-specified subsystems. This year, testing is expanding to include the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and the 5G core network interfaces. Presented by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (NTIA/ITS), in collaboration with the Department of Defense’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the challenge will award up to $7 million in cash and in-kind prizes. Awards will go to high-performing Open RAN solutions that showcase multivendor interoperability across radio, centralized and distributed units.

An informational webinar to summarize key requirements for participation and outline test procedures will take place Thursday, February 9.

This year’s challenge is focused on accelerating Open RAN adoption by:

• Utilizing existing standards for new providers.
• Encouraging modular product development.
• Reducing barriers to entry for new solutions providers.
• Leveraging industry trends.
• Demonstrating multivendor interoperability.

In order for Open RAN to be widely deployed and adopted, decision-makers need to ensure that the underlying technologies and subsystems function optimally and perform as well as existing 5G networks. This is where CableLabs’ leading-edge lab environments come in.

CableLabs: The 5G Challenge Host Lab

CableLabs and its subsidiary Kyrio, the first O-RAN Alliance Open Testing and Integration Center (OTIC) in the Americas, will again partner to provide the host lab facilities. Our deployment of fully virtualized 5G networks and our extensive mobile network technologies expertise make our facilities ideal for meeting NTIA/ITS’s goals.

As the host lab, CableLabs will perform wraparound emulation testing on each contestant subsystem individually and then end-to-end multivendor interoperability and performance testing. We’re including state-of-the-art testing systems from both Keysight and VIAVI to support the goals of the 2023 5G Challenge. Contestants will be challenged to integrate with fellow contestants’ subsystems and participate in multiple rounds of integration and performance testing—the primary thrust of this year’s challenge.

The integration testing will involve multiple gNB configurations, which contain different Open RAN subsystems. Contestants are expected to provide an on-site system engineer throughout the testing at CableLabs that involves their subsystem(s). As an added benefit for challenge contestants, the integration testing will include adherence to applicable O-RAN Alliance specifications. Consequently, participants may receive a badge or certification from Kyrio, under its OTIC lab authority.

For more information about the 5G Challenge or the benefits of participation, sign up for NTIA/ITS’ 5G Challenge Information Session. If you’re an Open RAN vendor and want to learn more about the challenge, you won’t want to miss this session.

Tomorrow’s promise of 10G connectivity is steadily accelerating toward reality, thanks to the contributions of CableLabs and its members.

The uncompromisingly reliable, more secure and 10-times-faster network of the near future will reshape how we live, work, learn and play by delivering faster symmetrical speeds, lower latencies, enhanced reliability and enhanced network security in a scalable manner. Between new technical accomplishments and a variety of applications, various initiatives have helped propel 10G closer to real-world deployment.

To illustrate the industry’s immense 10G progress this year, CableLabs—the leading organization helping to drive 10G innovation—is highlighting the numerous advancements that have catapulted 10G from the drawing board to proof of performance.

New 10G Experiences and Applications

CableLabs Members Are Enhancing Network Speed and Reliability

From Charter demonstrating rapid downstream and upstream speeds over a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network to Comcast successfully testing a prototype 10G modem in lab trials and announcing the introduction of symmetrical multigigabit speeds in 2023, CableLabs members made significant speed and reliability advancements on the path to unleashing 10G. Our members constantly invest money and infrastructure, further supporting the development of a 10G-capable, fiber-based network.

Applying 10G to Transform Our Lives

Demonstrated by multiple operators and supporting equipment providers at the CableLabs 10G Showcase, DOCSIS® 4.0 technology is capable of supporting 9 Gbps downstream capacity and 6 Gbps upstream capacity today. This confirmation that hybrid optical nodes support both DOCSIS 4.0 technology and EPON services allows operators the flexibility to optimize how they will deliver 10G to homes and businesses.

Earlier this year, the NCTA partnered with the Future Today Institute to explore how 10G will transform our lives. Through research and the release of white papers, the two organizations brought to light the potentially transformative impact of 10G across four key critical industries: agriculture, health care, education and entertainment.

The 10G Challenge

Developed and executed by CableLabs from inception to completion on behalf of the industry, the 10G Challenge encouraged innovators to ponder transformative solutions that leverage the speed, security, reliability and low latency of the 10G network. This first-of-its-kind technology challenge was designed to accelerate the development of applications for emerging 10G networks. Innovators across the United States and Canada developed and submitted entries outlining solutions that will shape the ways we live, work, learn and play in the future. The six winners rose to the challenge, devising life-changing technologies that highlight the incredible capability of 10G.

The 5G Challenge

As the host lab for the 5G Challenge, CableLabs contributed the standalone 5G network on the 10G lab platform, as well as its expertise with open and interoperable network technologies. The 5G Challenge was presented by the NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences in collaboration with the Department of Defense with an aim of accelerating the development and widespread deployment of open and interoperable 5G networks with true plug-and-play operation.

CableLabs’ Technological Advancement

Convergence Confirmed

At SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2022, CableLabs leveraged the critical capabilities of the 10G Lab to test several network-as-a-platform concepts, and to successfully demonstrate how to improve scalability and reliability with the power of a converged network running on virtualized infrastructure.

As broadband traffic continues to surge, cable operators must upgrade networks to expand capacity and boost efficiency. Enter convergence. This broad converged platform can support multiple network software stacks using a common management interface. The goal? Enabling operators to mix and match wireline and wireless services over the same core infrastructure. The realization of full wireline-wireless network convergence ultimately improves scalability and reliability and serves as a foundational element on the road to 10G.

Successful Interoperability

Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput (L4S) technology is a critical component of Low Latency DOCSIS. By exhibiting dramatic improvements in latency when using L4S at an interoperability event, CableLabs and its subsidiary, Kyrio—with support from Comcast, Apple and Google—demonstrated how L4S will enable the media interactivity and immersion necessary to unlock the metaverse. With L4S providing precise feedback to applications about impending congestion, the technology can help advance the speed, low latency and reliability of the multigigabit platform of the future.

Validating Point-to-Point Coherent Optics (P2PCO)

To support higher-capacity infrastructure—thereby supporting the speed, low latency and reliability necessary to deliver 10G—CableLabs’ Point-to-Point Coherent Optics (P2PCO) technology creates a network connection between two points that use coherent optical transceivers.

By using one laser for bidirectional, single-fiber transmission, P2PCO doubles the fiber’s capacity and takes existing access network fiber to the insanely fast speeds needed for 10G, meeting growing broadband consumer demand. In July, CableLabs confirmed that devices compliant with its P2PCO PHYv2.0 specification can transmit over roughly the same distance as devices compliant with the PHYv1.0 spec—and at double the operating capacity: 200 gigabits per second versus 100 Gbps per wavelength.

Standards and Specifications

This year, CableLabs and SCTE—a CableLabs subsidiary—submitted several specifications published as standards, including the Generic Access Platform (GAP) specification and standards for 1.8GHz actives to DOCSIS 4.0 technology. These standards and specs help provide operators with all the necessary technologies or tools to get to 10G.

Between convergence, L4S, P2PCO and emerging industry standards and specifications, CableLabs-driven technological advances are foundational in supporting most of the key tenets of 10G.

At CableLabs, we understand the vital need for network connectivity to power whatever our increasingly data-driven world demands next. That’s why we foster collaboration between members and technologists to move society closer to 10G speeds, lower latencies, enhanced network reliability and better security daily. For more information about CableLabs’ 2022 achievements and progress toward 10G, read the press release.

What if our loved ones could easily receive life-changing or even lifesaving medical care no matter where they live? What would be different if critical learning opportunities were broadly available to students from all communities, including urban and rural areas? Scenarios like these could certainly change how we live our lives.

In 2021, CableLabs issued a challenge to individuals and organizations to think big. On behalf of the cable industry, we launched the first-ever 10G Challenge, asking innovators to imagine technologies that the emerging 10G network will make possible. We wanted to know how their creations would leverage the four pillars of the multi-gigabit platform: faster internet speeds, better security, lower latency and improved reliability. We heard from innovators across the United States and Canada who are developing valuable solutions to some of today's biggest problems.

At SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2022, CableLabs recognized the six winners of the 10G Challenge and now we're thrilled to introduce the winners and their innovations here. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about these prize-winning ideas, as well as insights directly from some of the creators.

Meet the Winners

• Grand Prize Winner: MediView leverages advanced virtual reality (VR) technology to help patients in rural areas access care from National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers without having to leave their community.
• Live Category Winner: Xennial Digital is creating the future of medical simulation training using the reliability of the 10G broadband network.
• Work Category Winner: TractorCloud develops hardware and software solutions that save farmers thousands of dollars and drive the future of tractor fleet management.
• Learn Category Winner: KC Digital Drive aims to utilize the 10G network to expand access to nursing education via digital twin classrooms.
• Play Category Winner: Dana Leung’s “Interacting Within Live-Action Video Scenes” technology hopes to enhance consumer experiences, whether shopping or watching movies, with real-time VR.
• People’s Choice Winner: T4 Movement Engineering helps patients identify the root cause of their musculoskeletal issues and improve rehabilitation in a manner that is innovative, low cost, easy to execute and scalable.

"Our winners really show what’s possible when we pull together: We do the things we say we want to do (and) we march toward that common goal that 10G really is," said Cate McNaught, referring to the collaborative power of the cable industry. McNaught is Emerging Applications Marketing Development Manager for Corning Optical Communications. Corning, along with Mayo Clinic, Zoom and Intel, helped judge the competition. Each company covered one of the four categories: Live, Work, Learn and Play.

McNaught spoke with CableLabs President and CEO Phil McKinney and NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell during a 10G Fireside Chat at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. They outlined key applications of the 10G network and details of the 10G Challenge before introducing the winners to the public.

Above, CableLabs President and CEO Phil McKinney discusses the 10G Challenge during SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2022. (Credit: Robb Cohen Photography & Video)

Prizes to Accelerate Innovations

In total, CableLabs awarded more than $300,000 in cash prizes to the six winners of the 10G Challenge. The hope, CableLabs' McKinney said during the winners' showcase event, is that the prize money would be used to help build on the innovators' progress and bring their winning ideas to market.

"We're all about asking—and answering—What if?" McKinney said during the event, echoing comments from the opening general session of Cable-Tec Expo where he announced the newest short film in CableLabs’ Near Future series. "What if we could change the health care profile around the world? What if we could change education? What if we could change our ability to live, work, learn and play?"

What Is the 10G Network?

In short, the multi-gigabit platform is the broadband network of the future that will support whatever comes next. The imminent 10G platform will deliver internet speeds up to 10 times faster than what most consumers experience today for both upstream and downstream traffic—plus enhanced reliability and security. What's even more exciting is that the infrastructure to support these high-speed internet capabilities is already in place! And it leverages CableLabs technologies like Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM), DOCSIS 4.0 specifications, P2P Coherent Optics, Low Latency DOCSIS and many others.

Click the button below to watch videos from the winners of the 10G Challenge, and stay tuned to get to know more about how their technologies are designed to change the way we live, work, learn and play.

It’s hard to believe we’re less than two weeks away from catching up—in person—with CableLabs members at our inaugural Expo•nential Member Forum. This jam-packed day of interactive sessions will cover current and emerging technologies, the implications of those technologies and strategies for success. It happens Monday, September 19, in Philadelphia, just ahead of SCTE® Cable-Tec Expo 2022®.

Exploring Today, Tomorrow and Beyond—from Current Trends to Quantum Security

If you’re a CableLabs member, Expo•nential is your chance to connect with peers, colleagues and industry experts and focus on what matters most. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Hurry! September 9 is the last day to register for Expo•nential.

It’s not too late to claim your seat at Expo•nential. We’ve extended in-person and virtual registration through Friday, September 9. Register now so you don’t miss out! Please note that you must register for the CableLabs Member Forum and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo separately. Complimentary, full-access passes to Cable-Tec Expo are available for CableLabs members.

2. At Expo•nential, you’ll encounter countless industry perspectives.

Once registered for Expo•nential, you'll be in good company. Join industry thought leaders, peers and colleagues for a rich series of sessions exploring topics on the theme of the day—Today, Tomorrow and Beyond.

• Opening session with Craig Moffett: We’ll launch the day with analyst Craig Moffett of research firm MoffettNathanson. He’ll share his insights on the industry and set the scene for a day of discussion and exploration.
• Breakout sessions—Today and Tomorrow: Then, we’ll break down the market trends of the day, discuss what options are available for operators today and share updates on current technologies. Breakout sessions will continue into the afternoon with conversations about innovations that are on the near horizon. We'll also discuss how various technologies can work in unison to power the 10G network of the future.
• General session—Beyond: Finally, attendees will reconvene for a general session on the "Beyond." We'll explore the innovations of tomorrow that are already being shaped by the technologies of today.

3. Expo•nential will cover a lot of ground—all in a single day.

These Expo•nential sessions will cover everything from current trends to future needs and many technologies in between. They have been carefully crafted for members to exchange insights and connect with industry experts.

• Insights on Broadband Usage & Its Future Growth
• Comparative Network Economics & Last Mile Strategies: Technology Strategy
• DOCSIS® 4.0 Technology: Successful Network Evolution
• Passive Optical Networking: The Other 10G Technology
• The Future of Converged Networks
• The Road to 10G: Cloud Native Architectures for a Converged Tomorrow
• Fiber Access Network Technologies & Use Cases
• A Link to Tomorrow: Wi-Fi 6e/7/Home Networking
• 10G Your Way to Light Fields
• Quantum Key Distribution: The Future of Secured Networks

4. There's even more in store at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. 

After Expo•nential, let’s keep the conversation going at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. Back in person for the first time since 2019, Cable-Tec Expo is the industry’s largest learning and networking event. SCTE is a subsidiary of CableLabs.

View the full schedule of CableLabs demos and speakers, but here are just a few highlights for CableLabs at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo:

• Tuesday, September 20: Join Phil McKinney, president and CEO of CableLabs, and Mark Dzuban, president and CEO of SCTE, as they welcome Cable-Tec Expo attendees and introduce speakers for the opening general session.
• Wednesday, September 21: Make plans to attend the Fireside Chat with McKinney and Cate McNaught, of Corning Optical Communications. In this session, CableLabs will announce the winners of the 10G Challenge. You’ll also have a chance to meet the winning innovators and view demos of their technologies at the 10G Challenge kiosk on 10G Avenue on the showroom floor.
• Throughout Cable-Tec Expo: The CableLabs booth (#5001 on the showroom floor) will host experts from CableLabs and Kyrio for demos of their latest innovations. Kyrio is also a CableLabs subsidiary.

5. Both Expo•nential and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo are conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia.

If you’re already planning to attend one of these events, why not make the most of it? Expo•nential takes place just two blocks away from Cable-Tec Expo in downtown Philadelphia. This makes it easy for you to take advantage of all four days of networking, learning, connection and collaboration.

View all the details for Expo•nential CableLabs Member Forum and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. Register now for this opportunity to collaborate with other CableLabs members, connect with industry thought leaders and much more.

We’ll see you soon in Philadelphia!

Thanks to the innovations of the cable broadband industry, countless businesses and individuals have benefited from virtual experiences and online collaboration over the past two-plus years. But nothing compares to the synergy that can be achieved through in-person connection. That’s why we’re counting down the days to Expo•nential, a CableLabs member forum that will take place Monday, September 19, in Philadelphia, just ahead of SCTE® Cable-Tec Expo®.

At Expo•nential, members will have the opportunity to connect with CableLabs experts, hear from thought leaders and exchange insights in a series of thoughtfully designed sessions. Topics will range from passive optical networking (PON) solutions and the road to 10G to light field experiences and quantum networking. During this full day of interactive discussions open exclusively to CableLabs members, we’ll explore various industry perspectives on “Today, Tomorrow and Beyond,” the theme of the first-time event. You can find the agenda and session details here, then stay tuned as we add speakers to the lineup! Expo•nential sessions include:

• Broadband Usage & Its Future Growth
• Network Economics & Last-Mile Strategies
• DOCSIS® Technology: Maximizing ROI
• Passive Optical Networking: The Other 10G Technology
• The Future of Converged Networks
• The Road to 10G: Cloud-Native Architectures
• Fiber Access Network Technologies & Use Cases
• Wi-Fi: A Link to Tomorrow
• Light Field & Immersive Experiences
• Quantum Network: Entanglement-as-a-Service

SCTE Cable-Tec Expo

After Expo•nential, join us at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2022, the industry’s largest and most influential learning and networking event in the Americas. The event kicks off the evening of Monday, September 19, and runs through Thursday, September 22. CableLabs members have complimentary registration for a full-access pass to SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. Join us for the General Session, Technical Workshops, Exhibit Hall and much, much more by registering here. The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) became a CableLabs subsidiary in 2021.

In person for the first time since 2019, SCTE Cable-Tec Expo will bring together industry experts and vendors for more than three days of connection through learning, innovation and business solutions. “Creating Infinite Possibilities” is the theme of this year’s event, which will feature dozens of sessions across 13 categories:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Cloud & Virtualization
• Converged Networks
• DevOps & Agile
• Energy Management
• Internet of Things
• Operational Transformation
• Security & Privacy
• Software Development, Automation and Tooling
• Video Services
• Wireless Access Network
• Wireline Access Network
• Workplace

At Expo 2022, don’t forget to stop by our booth to meet our technologists and see demonstrations of new and emerging innovations from CableLabs and Kyrio, a subsidiary of CableLabs that focuses on network equipment testing and software services.

Also, winners from CableLabs’ first-ever 10G Challenge will have an opportunity to showcase their innovations during SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. Industry expert judges Corning, Intel, Mayo Clinic and Zoom are reviewing entries now. On top of a chance to gain industry exposure at Expo 2022, winning entries will receive up to $100,000 in cash prizes.

Register for Expo•nential Today

Start making plans to attend the upcoming CableLabs’ Expo•nential member forum and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2022. We always look forward to seeing our members in person, but—for those who can’t make it to Philadelphia—Expo•nential will be available virtually too.

Please register for each event separately.