It’s that time of the year again…Cable Congress is just around the corner, and ARRIS Systems Architect Ayham Al-Banna will be on stage discussing the evolution of HFC. We caught up Ayham to get his insights on HFC, future trends…and even what new industry terms we should add to our vocabulary to show we’re in the know.
We often hear about key trends including ‘on-demand,’ ‘connected life,’ ‘ultra-fast,’ and ‘multiscreen.’ In your mind, what are a couple of trends that will become louder and more discussed in 2014?
One trend to watch is the “snappiness” on the Internet, which describes the rate at which the needed information is provided in a short burst. You’ll also hear more and more about “interactive gadgets,” such as your connected refrigerator notifying you that you are low on tomatoes or your pantry asking you to bring coffee beans on your way home.
What are some of the biggest technological advancements driving new and improved services for the consumer?
When we discuss new technologies driving new and improved services, it’s essential to mention advancements within Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP), DOCSIS 3.1, digital optics, remote gadgets and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH). With that being said, the consumer is indeed the focus of our innovation and delivering a better user experience. True, people are consuming more media on more devices in more places, but we’re also seeing increased demand for timely and relevant experiences, better content recommendations, and, of course, higher-quality programming. These desires speak directly to what ARRIS does best.
What is one of the biggest technological advancements that may be transparent to the average consumer?
Service providers have a multitude of technologies that are transparent to the consumer surrounding faster services and a better user experience. For example, the average consumer might not know whether service providers are using integrated or remote CCAP as well as DOCSIS 3.1 (D3.1) technologies to create a more seamless user experience. CCAP and D3.1 are quickly transforming the consumer’s experience in a very positive way, and they will only make things that much better in the years ahead.
How does an organization like ARRIS embed innovation into its culture?
ARRIS continuously keeps its engineers at all levels in the company tied to the newly-evolving technologies. To ensure engineers are staying ahead of industry trends, groups within the company get together frequently to research topic and provide monthly tutorial that are accessible to everyone. ARRIS also encourages engineers to explore new ideas and prototype them by providing the necessary tools and resources.
What keeps you passionate about this industry?
The continuous innovation in this industry amazes me. This industry evolved to offer people more affordable, faster and better services. I have the opportunity to see the direct impact of what we research, architect, design and build on people’s lives. I am proud of this work, especially as I see the positive impact it has in different fields from hospitals to hotels to connected cars to connected homes. This industry is addictive!
Make sure to stop by Ayham’s panel on the evolution of HFC on March 14 if you’re at Cable Congress. We look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam.
