The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
This episode of the Broadband Bunch is hosted by Pete Pizzutillo, featuring Craig Thomas, CEO of the Broadband Forum, live from the FTTH Europe show in Berlin. They discuss the vibrant energy and the shift in the fiber industry’s focus from simply making connections to optimizing their use.
Craig shares his career trajectory leading to his role as CEO of the Broadband Forum. With a background spanning from dial-up modems to strategic roles in standards and marketing, Craig discusses the importance of community and standards in the broadband industry.
The Broadband Forum focuses on several key activities: developing standards, performing certification and testing, supporting open-source software, and educating the industry. These efforts are aimed at creating a healthy multi-vendor environment and aiding smaller operators and new entrants in navigating the evolving tech landscape.
Craig emphasizes the increasing relevance of standards, especially in the face of recent challenges like the pandemic, supply chain issues, and technical skills shortages. The shift towards service-led standards is a significant pivot, aiming to help operators leverage their networks more profitably and efficiently.
The conversation touches on the necessity of global standards and the need for interoperability across different technologies. Craig notes the collaboration with other standards bodies and open-source communities to ensure broad and effective standards that support a diverse technology ecosystem.
Craig concludes by inviting listeners to explore the Broadband Forum’s resources, available for free on their website broadband-forum.org. This platform offers access to published standards and educational events, helping industry professionals stay at the forefront of broadband technology developments.
This insightful episode provides a deep dive into the strategic role of standards in broadband technology and the vision of the Broadband Forum under Craig Thomas’s leadership, highlighting the dynamic changes and opportunities within the industry.
© 2024 Enhanced Telecommunications.
