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General Session

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

AI-Powered Service Delivery and Field Optimization for Service Providers

John Brown, ePlus

In this session, we’ll explore how service providers can leverage AI to transform service delivery, optimize field operations, and enhance customer satisfaction. With AI-driven analytics, providers can predict service demands, proactively support customers, and monitor SLAs in real-time, reducing service delays and interruptions. We’ll discuss AI’s role in smart dispatching for field technicians, remote troubleshooting, and predictive maintenance, enabling technicians to address issues before they impact service. By the end, you’ll understand how AI enhances operational efficiency, optimizes resource allocation, and drives higher customer satisfaction across the service provider landscape.

Extend Your Service Value Beyond Your Broadband Network
Brett McElwee, Calix

Community Wi-Fi is more than joining Wi-Fi as a guest at a one-time event. Broadband Service Providers are entrusted with the crucial role of delivering connectivity outside the home to the broader communities where individuals work, study and play. Community Wi-Fi empowers these providers to connect a variety of subscribers with private, secure, and reliable Wi-Fi. Discover how you can utilize community Wi-Fi to enhance the subscriber experience and explore a multitude of benefits that add value beyond your broadband network.

BEAD Economic Forecast
Hunter Hook, CoBank

An overview of the state of the US economy and potential economic trends for 2025 and its impact on BEAD.

Breakout Sessions 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

11:00-11:50 AM

Multi-Gig Network Evolution Strategies

Rob Lombard, Norvado

Customer demands require flexibility in network evolution. The transition from Gig to Multi-gig can take on different strategies with factors such as cost effectiveness, consideration of new service offerings and ensuring the network transformation planning is for the long term. In this session you will learn some tactics to evaluate the transformation planning and some considerations for offering services to customers.

Update on BEAD for Spring 2025

Eric Pulvermacher, Forvis Mazars

Where is BEAD in Wisconsin in the spring of 2025? How did the first round go and what to expect next?

1:00-1:50 PM

Cloud Switching Migrations

Andrew Ward, Award Consulting

As we hear end-of-life announcements from traditional vendors, and pitches from cloud switching providers - the voice landscape has suddenly become pretty complex. In this session we'll explore what cloud switching means, and look at the pros and cons of this approach.

Advances in GIS Mapping in Broadband

Derek Arndt, Finley Engineering Company 

GIS has evolved from a visual representation of assets to an essential business operations tool capable of taking a concept from design, through implementation, and ongoing operational management. GIS is now the fundamental basis for broadband plant management and evolution.

2:00-3:00 PM

Cloud Switching Migrations

Roxi Hacker, ITCI

IP Switching: What are switch consolidation pros/cons? What items should you consider prior to, during and after migration.

Lasting Legacies

Mark Sandberg, Norvado

As the telecom industry faces the retirement of its veteran workforce, managing legacy equipment and continuing the legacy of thorough and consistent (old-school) processes is becoming an increasingly forgotten skillset. This presentation will explore the importance of legacy processes and equipment amidst rapid change and generational transition.

Breakout Sessions 

Wednesday, January 15

8:00-8:50 AM

Cybersecurity - What's next after MFA and EDR?

Blake Griffin, CNE

As there has been a big push from insurance companies to implement cybersecurity controls such as EDR and MFA, what is next? We will discuss the next steps providers should implement in their plans.

DIY Video Production for ISPs: Creating Engaging Content Solo

Ruby Hibben, Vantage Point Solutions

Video content is one of the most powerful tools for ISPs to connect with their audience, but it can feel out of reach without a big team. Learn how to harness the power of video marketing on your own, using budget-friendly tools and techniques to create compelling content that drives engagement and brand loyalty.

9:00-9:50 AM

OSP Fiber Cable Trends, Technology, and Innovation

Rory Troff, Molex

With ever changing optical transmission innovations in OSP fiber optic cable, understanding the right cable design and configuration has never been more important. Learn what's new in cable technologies and how you can benefit.

Broadband Design: Monetizing the Middle Mile

Jack Breeding, Ribbon Communications

It’s a bright future for broadband in the American Heartland. The combination of vastly improved technology and advanced service demand growth will define the future of our industry. We will discuss the evolving broadband architectural model and address how an enhanced middle-mile network can open up new opportunities for revenue growth.

10:00-10:50 AM

Outside the Plant Roundtable

Facilitator: Josh Perrin, Citizens Connected

Inside the Plant Roundtable
Facilitator: Ricky Smith, WIN Technologies

General Session

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Keynote Speaker Luke Soderling

Schedule is subject to change.