21285 - SCTE Broadband Dec2021 COMPLETE v1

19 Vol. 43 No. 4 - November 2021 Issue industry news Connected Britain September 20-21, Business Design Centre, Islington It was a wild experience to finally be at a live event for the first time in nearly 2 years, and for this managing editor, the first time ever for the SCTE. The atmosphere was borderline excitable; there was a tangible buzz in the air as people worked the room, meeting old friends again, uncertain whether to bump elbows or show their affection via a handshake or a hug. The next morning the buzz had worn off somewhat, due to the excitement that most probably continued at the bar the night before but the smiles remained warm, if a bit tired, and it was an excellent first taste of life post-COVID. The event was well attended and organised and in addition to Melissa, the SCTE’s own Laura Baskeyfield and Anthony Basham were busy working the room. Congratulations to Cheryl Cheong and her team for orchestrating a great event under what are still fairly trying circumstances. Broadband World Forum 11-15 October, RAI, Amsterdam Our President Anthony Basham represented the SCTE here last week and while low-key, it offered some novel new ways of presenting a hybrid-style event, with presenters streaming presentations remotely to a live audience in person. Evidently there is still some reticence about attending live events, never mind the restrictions on travel, but the event was worthwhile and it was a good opportunity to catch up on latest trends and new practices industry-wide. Cable Tec Expo 11-14 October, Virtual It was a blow for this event to be virtual only but given the ongoing travel restrictions it would have been complex and risky to attempt to visit on this occasion. However, the Cable Tec organisers wasted no time converting the event to an online one and they did an excellent job. While we all missed seeing each other the online platform offered attendees the chance to network, learn about new products and services and catch up on progress in the US. IBC 2021 December 3-6, RAI, Amsterdam October 21 saw the launch of IBC Digital, the virtual platform designed to complement the live event taking place on December 3-6 at the RAI, Amsterdam. Come and see the SCTE at our virtual booth at IBC Digital and we look forward to seeing you in physical form in December! SCTE Autumn Lecture October 7, National MotorcycleMuseum, Birmingham This was the first in-person event in 18months for the SCTE and it was a pleasure to connect with old friends and make some new ones at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on October 7. The day started with a keynote address by Anthony Basham, followed by a series of equally fascinating, but very different lectures on data centre sustainability, low- latency, the new DOCSIS 4.0 specification and addressing the skills shortage facing the UK’s fibre roll out. A delicious 3 course lunch broke up the day and allowed for the all-important networking. After the lectures a tour of the museum took place which allowed us all to stretch our legs and admire the incredible and never-ending collection of motorbikes. At the end of the day our President honoured our CEO Dr Roger Blakeway after the AGM with a presentation of a ceremonial gavell, taking the opportunity upon his retirement to thank him for his considerable and lengthy contribution to the SCTE and the industry as a whole. Events in 2021 Our speakers, from left: John Booth, Carbon 3IT, Edward Allfrey, Synamedia, Premton Bogaj and Diego Royo Moros, Technetix and Adrian Wooster, DKT