As the demands from AI have created new bandwidth expectations, the Optical Interoperability Forum (OIF) realizes that it has to respond to new demands for industry interoperability in near real time. This was reflected in the OIF’s Next Generation CEI-448G Framework Document, released at its recent Q4 2025 Technical and MA&E Committees Meeting. OIF’s CEI-448G Framework Document defines the application spaces, technical challenges and potential solution paths for electrical interfaces operating at 448 Gbps per lane. During this podcast, we talked to two optical industry veterans about OIF’s recent CEI documents and its expectations for OIF’s first quarter 2026 Technical and MA&E Committees meeting at the OFC show in March: Nathan Tracy, President of OIF And Cathy Liu, board member of OIF Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments: Opening | 0:00 Host introduction of guests | 0:03 Update on recent OIF activities | 0:30Nathan Tracy and Kathy Liu address the OIF’s new CEI 448G framework. Focus on interoperability | 2:00How AI/ML has created the hardest data rate jump it has ever faced. OIF’s February Q1 meeting | 6:20Tracy and Liu give a preview of the OIF’s upcoming quarterly meeting and a preview of OFC activities. Coherent optics | 10:24How the OIF can deliver value by creating coherent optic standards recommendations for shorter lengths, including in campus or building settings. The Data Center Interconnect (DCI) opportunity |14:25 The OIF is helping its membership address the hyperscale and AI compute needs. Final thoughts/closing | 16:30Tracy and Liu About our guests Nathan Tracy, President of OIF Nathan Tracy currently serves as OIF’s President on the Board of Directors. Over the past 13 years, he has also served OIF as vice president of marketing, co-chair of the market awareness and education (MA&E) committee, technical committee chair, and technical committee vice chair. As a technologist on the system architecture team for the Digital Data Networks business unit at TE Connectivity (TE), he is responsible for driving standards activities and working with key customers to enable new system architecture. Tracy has more than 30 years of experience in technology development, marketing, and business development for TE, with a focus on RF/microwave and high-speed signaling technologies for the networking, telecom, wireless, automotive, and defense markets. He is also an active member of other industry standards and associations. He is currently a regular attendee and contributor to IEEE 802.3 and the Ethernet Alliance. Additionally, he is active in several industry MSAs and forums, where he has held leadership roles. And Cathy Liu, board member of OIFCathy Liu, distinguished Engineer, currently leads Broadcom’s SerDes architecture and modeling group. Since 2002, she has been working on high-speed transceiver solutions. Previously, she developed read channel and mobile digital TV receiver solutions. She specializes in signal processing, FEC, and modeling for high-speed optical and electrical transceiver solutions, has published numerous journal and conference papers, and holds over 20 U.S. patents. She currently serves as the vice president of the board director of Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), a member of the board of advisors for the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) of University of California at Davis, a member of Signal Integrity Journal editorial advisory board, and the co-chair of the DesignCon technical track of high speed signal processing, equalization and coding. She received the DesignCon 2021 Engineer of the Year award. She earned her B.S. in Electronic Engineering from Tsinghua University in China and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry lead

Founded in 2023 in Houston, Texas, by Carter Old and SDC Capital Partners, Lyte Fiber focuses on delivering fiber-based broadband in Texas and beyond. Old, a former US Navy officer, has extensive experience in developing new approaches to broadband delivery and financial expertise across various industry segments. Lyte Fiber is not Old's first fiber rodeo. Before co-founding Lyte Fiber, he co-founded Tachus, which fellow fiber broadband provider Ezee Fiber recently acquired. Lyte offers both residential and business internet service plans supported by an XGS-PON access network capable of delivering up to 10 Gbps. Today, Lyte Fiber serves nine Texas communities and plans to expand further in the coming year. Old acknowledged that while the fiber broadband industry is “really competitive,” there’s a big opportunity to address underserved communities with fiber-based broadband services. Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments: Opening | 0.00 Host introduction of guests | 0:03 Founding Lyte Fiber | 0:18Old discusses how he worked with SDC Capital to form his latest startup. Network expansion | 3:13How Lyte Fiber has prioritized fiber builds in underserved communities. Engaging with communities | 5:35Lyte Fiber focuses on leading first with building long-term relationships. Fiber’s community impact | 8:02How the presence of fiber-based broadband makes a community more attractive for existing and new residents. Underserved communities | 11:43Old addresses the challenges of bringing fiber to underserved communities.   Community permitting | 13:12As it moves to get fiber lit in 15 markets, permitting is an all-hands-on-deck effort. Navigating the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) Program | 15:11The state of Texas recently awarded Lyte Fiber $142 million to connect seven communities. The broadband M&A wave |18:41Lyte Fiber is actively evaluating potential opportunities. Broadband competition | 20:22Within Lyte Fiber’s markets, the provider mainly faces competition from cable operators. Final thoughts/closing | 23:17Looking ahead, Lyte Fiber will focus on scaling, delivering solid customer service, ensuring network reliability, and addressing each community’s needs.   About our guest Carter Old is Founder and CEO of Lyte Fiber, LLC, a Texas-based fiber broadband internet company formed in partnership with SDC Capital Partners. Before he founded Lyte, Carter co-founded Tachus, LLC, a Houston-based fiber broadband internet company that he helped build and grow to nearly 160 employees, 70,000+ passed homes, and 20,000+ customers in three and a half years. Under his leadership, Tachus raised over $190 million in total debt and equity capital. While at Tachus, he and his business partner were named finalists for the 2022 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Central South Awards. In addition to his fiber broadband experience, Old was the co-founder of OmniEarth, an Earth intelligence and analytics company based in Arlington, VA. He also worked at Fieldstone Partners, where he served as Senior Vice President and COO and co-led Fieldstone’s space and ground infrastructure business areas. Earlier, Old served on active duty for four years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. He was initially the First Lieutenant and then the Naval Infantry Officer for USS BULKELEY (DDG 84) on his first tour, and then the Operations Officer for MCM CREW LEADER on his second tour. He attended the University of Texas at Austin on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated with a B.A. in Government. He also has an M.B.A. from UT-Austin. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from Bluepeak, Cajun Broadband, Comcast, Ezee Fiber, Fidium, Ripple Fiber, Surf Internet and Ziply. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

Arelion enhances its European reach while carving out a position in the ever-evolving enterprise services market.    As chief evangelist at Arelion, Mattias Fridström is passionate about networking. A nearly 30-year veteran of the service provider, Fridström not only has insights into the networked economy but also into the challenges network providers will face tomorrow in meeting ever-increasing traffic demand and customer quality expectations within the same cost framework. However, his passion is not limited to networks: he has played golf professionally and competed at the national level in football and in in-line hockey (the Swedish name for floorball).  Arelion has continued to evolve since it began building its network in 1993, when its Autonomous System (AS) 1299 was allocated. The provider has continued to grow organically ever since. The service provider’s network now stretches 77,000 km across Europe, North America, and Asia. Customers connect directly to over 2,900 wholesale customers in more than 129 countries. Also, Arelion has over 450 local access partners worldwide. In 2025, the service provider took a significant step to enhance its European network reach by expanding its Baltic network, constructing a fully diverse, high-capacity route between Helsinki and Warsaw. And while Arelion is a well-known wholesale carrier, earlier this year it began to expand into the enterprise services market. Arelion continues to succeed in selling its products to businesses directly and via agents. In this podcast, we spoke with Fridström about the service provider’s ongoing network expansion and its move to establish a stronger brand foothold in the enterprise services market. Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments: Opening | 0.00 Host introduction of guests | 0:03 Arelion’s recent Baltic to Western Europe network route | 0:27This new network is built to bypass traditionally congested routes, providing resilience for carrier and enterprise customers.  The EU's Connecting Europe Facility 2 (CEF2) program | 2:07How Arelion is leveraging CEF2 funding to modernize transport networks in underserved areas of Europe, like the Baltics. Arelion’s European network plans | 3:27Fridström explains how the Baltic expansion fits into the broader European connectivity trends. Arelion’s network redundancy approaches | 4:22How Arelion’s customers value having multiple network paths to data centers and other critical locations. Approaching data center opportunities | 5:31Arelion works to provide the best path for extending fiber to new data centers. Local and regional data centers | 7:03 How new data centers drive Arelion’s network expansion plans. Arelion’s broad network reach | 8:20The service provider’s network can accommodate customers with global reach needs. Serving enterprise customers | 9:23How Arelion can apply its wholesale service experience to meet business customer needs. Establishing an enterprise services brand |10:55Arelion is working to show enterprises that it is a viable provider. The role of Network as a Service (NaaS) | 12:51While Arelion's view of NaaS is excellent, it faces several challenges. AI’s influence | 14:32How AI-driven traffic influences Arelion’s network planning process.     Looking forward to 2026 |16:36Arelion sets its course for carrier and enterprise service opportunities. Final thoughts and closing |18:32Besides anticipating additional traffic growth, Fridström sees potential upside in the enterprise services market. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.

In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from Dobson Fiber, Fidium, Henderson Municipal Power & Light, Metronet Fiber, Omni Fiber, Spectrum, TDS Telecom and Wecom Fiber. About the Podcast  In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In this episode, we talked to two experts at LightRiver about providing a seamless experience for their provider customers: Walt Paskowski, SVP marketing and sales operations for LightRiver. And Matt Briley, Senior VP of global sales for LightRiver About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

With most people being distracted during the holidays, online scammers are ready to pounce on consumers. According to Optimum, the most common online scams identified by Optimum’s cybersecurity team this season include phishing websites, smishing scams, non-delivery schemes, charity fraud and travel scams. The company shared these insights in October during the worldwide Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Today, Optimum’s network blocks thousands of malicious attack attempts daily for our customers, ranging from phishing, smishing, spam, malware and other scams.  Optimum is in an interesting position to help consumers with battling online threats. Consider that over the last three years, the cable MSO has been transforming its business, which includes investing heavily in its network to expand service across its 21-state footprint. This year, the company has surpassed 3 million Fiber passings and has seen 50% fewer network outages. In this episode, we talked to Ben Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Optimum, about the top security threats consumers face and how to avoid potential traps. Here is a timeline of the episode: 0:03    Opening        0:40    Optimum’s celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month       How scam artists and hackers ramp up their attacks on consumers during the holiday season. 6:54    Scammers leveraging AI.             Using AI to conduct phishing to spoof the look and feel of an email that might come directly from a company. 8:09    Optimum’s cybersecurity effortsThe service provider is scaling its security controls, visibility and governance. 10:31 Bundling security with broadband   Optimum is developing an advanced security offering that will allow consumers to manage their own Internet security. 12:09 Regulatory compliance and resilience. Optimum continues to hold operational testing of its cybersecurity operations. 14:09 Final thoughts/wrap up About our guestBen Smith serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Optimum, where he leads the company’s enterprise cybersecurity, governance, and IT risk management strategy. With over 20 years of experience across telecommunications, healthcare, and financial services, he has built and led security and IT risk management programs that align technology with organizational strategy, operational resilience, and regulatory requirements. He serves on the Board of Directors of Hudson Valley Credit Union as Board Secretary and is a member of the Governance and Nominations Committee as well as the Finance Committee. In the past, he has served on multiple not-for-profit and community Boards and Advisory Committees. A seasoned advisor to leading cybersecurity organizations, Ben leverages his executive and board experience to drive product strategy and market expansion within regulated industries. He holds both an MBA and a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Rochester Institute of Technology, along with CISSP and CHCIO certifications.  About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In this week's episode of Building Broadband, we're tracking new broadband builds from Alabama Fiber Network (AFN), Breezeline, Brightspeed, eX² Technology, Home Telecom, and Ziply Fiber.   These providers are all using a mix of public and private funding for a host of new broadband build-outs across a diverse set of communities. Lightwave is tracking service providers' ongoing efforts to extend broadband to more homes and businesses via our Building Broadband series. If you want to share a new broadband build, contact Lightwave Editor in Chief Sean Buckley at sbuckley@endeavorb2b.com. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In this special edition of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we're in Dallas, Texas, covering this year’s Mplify (formerly MEF) Global NaaS Event GNE 2025 show. For this episode, we’re taking a look at the key highlights of the first day of the event:  Mplify’s leadership transition Mplify Market Brief Positioning NaaS as Foundation for Agentic AI Mplify’s Carrier Ethernet for AI certification Advancing Mplify's certification efforts in wireless through aligning with the GSMA Addressing standardized automation for enterprises About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.   

In this week's episode of Building Broadband, we're tracking new broadband builds from Brightspeed, Digital C, Ezee Fiber, Fidium, Greenlight Networks, Junction Internet, Lyte Fiber, Metro Communications, Metronet, and Vero Fiber are all using a mix of public and private funding for a host of new broadband build-outs across a diverse set of communities. As part of this mix, we also saw three service providers move to expand their footprints through M&A:  Greenlight Networks to acquire FastBridge Fiber Metro Communications’ Clearwave Fiber Southern Illinois deal bolsters its FTTH plans Vero Fiber extends its Southeast reach with the acquisition of Telephone Electronics Corporation (TEC) acquisition About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In late August, the Arkansas State Broadband Office released the state’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, officially opening the plan for public review and comment. According to the Arkansas State Broadband Office, the state's $1 billion BEAD program represents the largest public broadband investment in Arkansas history. The state's BEAD program garnered a strong response. Arkansas' State Broadband Office received 730 applications from 33 internet service providers (ISPs), and 23 providers were selected by the broadband office for preliminary awards.  During this Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked to Glen Howie, director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office, about how it will apply the BEAD program to bring broadband to its communities. Here is a timeline of the episode: Opening 0:39    Arkansas's Broadband EffortsHow state and federal grants like Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) are helping the state expand broadband availability. 2:12    Arkansas's landscapeHow the state can extend broadband to rural and urban areas. 3:06    Final BEAD proposal for public comment Howie sees BEAD as the true blueprint to achieve universal broadband access across the state. 5:04    BEAD provider diversityArkansas’s BEAD proposal drew a wide swath of service providers: 29 from Arkansas and 19 from outside the state. 7:55    Navigating BEAD uncertaintyEven with the change of the White House administration, Arkansas continued to move with a sense of urgency. 9:26    Sharing BEAD experiences with other statesArkansas continues to talk to other states about its best practices. 9:56    Digital skills trainingAs the state wires more locations with broadband, it is also focusing on helping people acquire digital skills to access and use the service for employment and education opportunities. 14:30 Communicating with communities How the state and the BEAD participants are working with local leaders to provide information on how the BEAD program will impact their communities. 16:55 Final thoughts/wrap up About our guestGlen Howie is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. A proud native of a small town of about 12,000, he understands the sense of pride and "community" that permeates Main Street USA, as well as the concerns and challenges facing rural Arkansas. In his current role as Director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office, he is leading an "all-of-state" effort to provide "all-of-state" solutions for the "all-of-state" issue of broadband. With a once-in-a-century opportunity to transform the Arkansas economy, Glen's vision, and the Arkansas State Broadband Office's mandate, is to be a leader in the South and a Top Ten state in the country, in all things broadband. Glen earned an undergraduate degree in finance and a master’s degree in public administration from LSU. After he completed the MPA program, he was selected as the recipient of the David B. Johnson Award for Academic Excellence, highlighting his academic achievement, critical analysis of public policy issues, and commitment to improving public management. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

In this episode of the Broadband Pulse, we talked to the Ethernet Alliance about the upcoming HSN Plugfest that will be held from December 8-12, 2025, at Keysight Technologies in Santa Clara, CA. The Plugfest will feature interoperability testing for Ethernet devices ranging from 200GbE to 1.6TbE, covering various interconnects and transceivers. The event supports the transition to 200Gbps per lane, enabling breakthroughs in AI, cloud computing, and high-performance data centers. During the podcast we talked to two key members of the Ethernet Alliance:  John D’Ambrosia, a Distinguished Engineer with the Datacom Standards Research team at Futurewei and Ethernet Alliance TEF Chair Sam Johnson, HSN Subcommittee Chair for the Ethernet and manager of the Link Applications Engineering team within Intel’s Cloud Networking Group About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.     

As bandwidth demand accelerates and power consumption issues become more acute, the emergence of Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) has become a welcome technology. LPO is a technology that creates low-power optical modules for ultra-short-reach data center connections by removing the complex DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip from the module. This design reduces power consumption, cost, and latency, making it ideal for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers. Industry standards groups have focused on two main developments: electrical interface standards and testing and optical link performance and deployment. The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) is moving forward with electrical interface standards while the LPO Multi-Source Agreement (LPO MSA) is addressing optical link performance and deployment challenges.In this podcast, we talked with Mark Kimber, the senior principal product definition specialist for Semtech.Here’s a timeline of the episode: Opening 0:05    Host introduces guests Broadband Pulse host Sean Buckley introduced Kimber to the program.  0:38    LPO’s emergenceMark Kimber addresses emergence of LPO and Semtech’s role.   1:54    The LPO Multi-Source Agreement (MSA)How the new LPO MSA is establishing a specification and a methodology to make LPO work. 3:40    LPO standards efforts How the LPO MSA and the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) call for creating optical and electrical standards. 4:56    Semtech’s direct edge portfolio Semtech’s LPO platforms can help data center providers accommodate AI’s new power, latency and size requirements. 6:31    LPO plug and play operationsPlug-and-play is key to help simplify large data center operations and management. 11:04 OIF’s Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) roleCMIS manages the LPO module's diagnostic capabilities, including monitoring the optical and electrical interfaces.11:35 200G per lane technologyHow LPO can save power at higher speeds like 200G per lane.14:10 Final Thoughts/ClosingMark Kimber offers his final thoughts on LPO. About our guestMark Kimber is the Principal Product Definition Specialist at Semtech Corporation. Mark received the BE (Elect) degree from the University of Queensland in 1984.  Since then, he has worked on research and product development at GEC Hirst Research Centre, STC Laboratories, Bell Northern Research, Nortel, Bookham, Gennum and Semtech. Mark currently works on product definition for Semtech products and is a contributor to various standards groups. About the Podcast In the Lightwave+BTR Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com. 

Vistabeam is another example of a company finding a way to serve the often-overlooked rural market. Matt and Monique Larsen, who co-founded Vistabeam in 2004, believed rural communities deserved better internet and better opportunities. Like other entrepreneurs who rose during the early days of the internet, the Larsens were working at another ISP, but saw an opportunity to leverage new wireless technology with a local hands on focus that a national provider can’t offer.  Vistabeam has continued to grow. Today, its network covers 50,000 square miles and serves more than 100 towns across western Nebraska, northeastern Colorado, and southeastern Wyoming — the region it calls Wyobraskarado. The company maintains that its differentiator is not technology, but rather “its heart.” The company is family-owned, locally operated, and committed to creating good jobs in the communities it serves.  Key Moments in This Episode Opening 0:05 Introduction of our guest 0:28 Vistabeam’s broadband journeyMatt Larsen talks about how Vistabeam has evolved since its founding in 2004. 2:36 Fixed wireless and fiber How Vistabeam is leveraging fixed wireless and fiber to bring broadband to rural areas of Nebraska, northeastern Colorado, and southeastern Wyoming. 4:27 Weighing fiber and wireless optionsVistabeam sees fiber and wireless as being a tool that fits specific situations.  5:52 The competitive landscapeWhile Vistabeam faces a mix of traditional rural telcos and competitors, the company says its value lies in its local and responsive approach.  7:19 Middle MileVistabeam has built its own middle mile networks with microwave and available fiber to backhaul traffic. 9:19 Fiber broadband expansionsThe service provider has been leveraging state grants to build fiber in Kimball, Mitchell and Oshkosh, Nebraska.  12:18 Business service optionsVistabeam is being opportunistic with business services, which are resonating with tractor dealerships and others. 14:27 Final Thoughts/closing About our guest Matt Larsen is the CEO and founder of Vistabeam. Since co-founding the company in 2004, Vistabeam has grown to cover over 50,000 square miles and serve more than 100 towns across western Nebraska, northeastern Colorado, and southeastern Wyoming — the region it calls Wyobraskarado. Vistabeam is a hybrid broadband provider that offers both fixed wireless and fiber-based services. Besides his role at Vistabem, he serves as the chairman of WISPA. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.

In this special episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we're tracking key trends taking place at SCTE's TechExpo25 show.  As the final installment in this series, we’re tipping our hat to the vendors who showcased new wares that are designed to assist cable MSOs with their ongoing migration to DOCSIS 4.0, fiber broadband, and enhance the reach of their metro and long-haul optical networks. Lightwave is conducting a roundup of the key product releases during the recent SCTE TechExpo25 event in Washington, DC. This roundup highlights innovations from ATX, Go! Foton, Nokia/InCoax, ProLabs, Render, Vecima and VIAVI.   For more on cable innovations, check out our SCTE TechExpo25 coverage page: SCTE TechExpo25 special report. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.

In this special episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we're tracking key trends taking place at SCTE's TechExpo25 show.  This episode has highlights from the second day of the show, including: DOCSIS 4.0 Evolution: Comcast and Mediacom revealed their progress during the show through their vendor partnerships with CommScope and Harmonic. MDU broadband: As they did with cable TV, cable operators and competitive carriers are capitalizing on the multi-dwelling unit (MDU) broadband opportunity. Parks Associates, in partnership with Cox, released a study that found that nearly one in five multifamily residents with home internet reported receiving gigabit or faster download speeds. Meanwhile, CommScope's Ruckus unit continues to deepen its MDU presence across various verticals, including large apartment complexes, college campuses, retirement communities and federal prisons.  Rural Markets: Bringing broadband to rural areas is becoming a big opportunity for large and smaller cable operators. Comcast  announced that it is deploying Ciena’s 5131 Coherent Access Platform (CAP) to extend the reach of its current fiber deployments more than 100 km and deliver 100 Gbps—capacity to serve residential, small to medium-sized business (SMB), enterprise, and community anchor institutions—to new and existing communities with unserved or underserved connectivity needs. Service convergence and the customer experience: A Lightwave panel called Maintaining a Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Converged Service Offerings leveraged research results to uncover service providers’ plans for building networks that are robust enough to fulfill their business aspirations. The panel included two key fiber and cable industry experts: Barry Walton, Senior Broadband Solutions Advisor for Corning AndLamar Horton, VP, Network Engineering and Operations for Astound Broadband/Astound Business Solutions Among the many themes discussed during the panel was how to create a good customer experience regardless of if a broadband provider is using HFC or fiber. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.

In this special episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we're tracking key trends taking place at SCTE's TechExpo25 show.  This episode has highlights from the first day of the show.  About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.

During this podcast, we talked with SCTE's Maria Popo and Janelle Morse about what to expect at the SCTE TechExpo25.    About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.

Mike Vermeer’s telecom career took hold right out of college when he joined Panduit. During his 20 years with the company, he has tackled various missions related to product design, technology, innovation, and looking at customer challenges. One of his key passions is helping improve network deployments for the company’s array of service provider customers. Today, he serves as the Manager of Broadband Solutions at Panduit. We spoke to Vermeer about how Panduit’s broadband division can help its service customers adapt to the rapidly changing dynamics they are facing in technology, regulations, and the workforce. Key Moments in This Episode Opening 0:03 Introduction of our guest 0:16 Vermeer’s Panduit journeyMike Vermeer talks about his 20-year career with the company. 1:46 Network service philosophyVermeer talks about his passion for helping improve network deployments 4:33 State of the broadband marketHow broadband has become an expected amenity. 6:29 The cable industry’s network journeyCable will continue to consider fiber as competition threats rise. 8:41 New fiber competitionHow Panduit can serve smaller providers that need a broadband supplier ecosystem. 10:48 Broadband provider consolidationThe way the market will shift with new and existing players. 11:59 The BEAD opportunityWhile there have been delays, Vermeer and Panduit are preparing to address needs as funding gets rolled out. 14:44 Supply chain issuesVermeer notes that broadband customers should maintain a resilient supply chain with options. 16:09 Broadband workforce issuesPanduit is working to make the broadband construction ecosystem larger.19:17 The AI factor How internet service providers can leverage AI inference models to deliver insights to customers.21:21 Final Thoughts Mike Vermeer shares his final thoughts about the state of broadband. About our guestMike Vermeer is Manager of Broadband Solutions at Panduit. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University and a Master's degree from DePaul University. Mike has 20 years of experience in new product and business development, holds multiple patents and is a Certified Fiber to the Home Professional. About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.

Brightspeed, Comcast, Conexon Connect, C Spire, DigitalC, Ezee Fiber, Gateway Fiber, Lumos, Sprocket Networks and TDS Telecom are all expanding broadband in various communities through a mix of venture capital and state funding sources.  About the Podcast In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.