Techforum 2012 Focus on Innovation
by Virgil Labrador, Editor-in-Chief
Hauppage, New York, August 8, 2012--The annual Techforum event organized by Globecomm focused on “The Innovators’ Edge” and did not disappoint. Held at its facility in Long Island, New York from August 6-7, 2012 attracted over 100 participants representing a broad cross-section of companies from both the wireless and broadcast sectors. T his year’s event included keynotes from David Kline, CTO, Viacom Media Networks and Bradley Blanken, Vice President, Rural Cellular Association as well as networking functions.
Techforum is Globecomm's annual meeting for customers and colleagues. It is devoted to showing decision-makers how to get the best out of innovation in the world’s fastest-moving fields, which are fast converging in terms of customers, content and technology. Some of the key topics covered at the forum included:
· Mobile and Wireless. From spectrum battles to next-gen evolution, carriers face tough choices about how to deliver a connected experience to subscribers while controlling costs and building profits.
· Digital Video. Broadcast and business professionals are grappling with the challenges of convergence in video and IT platforms, file-based distribution and the evolution of the video cloud.
The conference was organized into two separate tracks: Mobile/Wireless and the Broadcast track. At the end of the one day conference there was a plenary session which combined the participants in each track. Surprisingly, the final plenary session chaired by SSPI Executive Director Lou Zacharilla revealed similar trends that affect the mobile and broadcast sectors, namely, the new multiplatform media environment that requires new solutions and innovative ways to deliver content to end-users anytime, anywhere and in the format they want it.
The full-day conference included panel discussions, product demonstrations and tours of Globecomm’s facilities. Prior to the conference attendees were given several networking options including a wine tour, a round of golf or fishing.
A panel was devoted to the subject of “Technology Success in a Multiscreen World” moderated by Tom Parish, of Globecomm and featured Glenn Goldstein, Vice-President, Media Technology Strategy of Viacom Media Networks and Peter Wharton, Strategic Account Manager, Systems and Solutions, Miranda Technology. “As TV becomes one of many connected devices, the technology requirements are becoming increasingly complex. The keys to technology success is the ability to adopt to rapid and disruptive change,” said Viacom’s Goldstein.
In the panel on “Maximizing Broadcast Spectrum Efficiency” Dave Chilson, Associate Director, Broadcast Distribution Services of CBS said that they are currently looking at how to make ther use of satellite transponder more efficient and may have to use less than their current inventory of 10 transponders to save on costs. The issue of rising transponder prices was raised at that panel. In response, Newtec’s Slava Freyter said that they have developed bandwidth optimization products that will enable broadcasters to more efficiently manage bandwidth.
In the closing keynote, Craig Stein, EVP and General Manager, US region of Ericsson said that 50 Billion devices by 2020 and internet traffic will grow five times by 2015. He said that the new consumers of media not only want more bandwidth, they need to be reliable and faster. “People will pay more for a better user experience,” said Stein.
There certainly won’t be any shortage of demand for bandwidth, so the industry needs all the innovation it can muster to meet the growing demand.
If you missed this year’s Techforum, you can view the sessions online at Globecomm’s website at: www.globecomm.com
-------------------------------
Virgil Labrador is the Editor-in-Chief of Satellite Market and Research based in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of two books on the satellite industry and has been covering the industry for various publications since 1998. Before that he worked in various capacities in the industry, including a stint as marketing director for the Asia Broadcast Center, a full-service teleport based in Singapore. He can be reached at virgil@satellitemarkets.com
