Month: June 2018

Over the past few weeks, I have posted a number of sessions from The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit. Here is the list of what is available:

• Opening remarks: Opening commentary by the chairs;
• The closing keynote: Video and text of the remarks and discussion with ISED Minister Navdeep Bains;
• The regulatory blockbuster: Video of the panel discussion;
• Network innovation: Video of the panel discussion;
• Artificial intelligence: Video of the panel discussion;
• The 5G journey: Video of the panel discussion.

This ends my posts about The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit [many of you are now exhaling a sigh of relief]. Your comments are welcome.

I am now officially in vacation mode, working from my northern office, accessible thanks to Xplornet LTE. I’ll stay in touch, but perhaps a little less frequently.

Have a good summer.

On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, Eric Smith, VP, Regulatory Affairs for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association moderated a panel entitled “The 5G Journey” at The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit. Panelists included:
  • Alexander Brock, SVP, Network Technologyv Rogers Communications
  • Tim Dinesen, EVP, Network, Xplornet Communications
  • Brian O’Shaughnessy, SVP & CTO, Converged Networks, Shaw Communications
  • Bruce Rodin, VP Wireless Networks, Bell
  • Kyriakos Vergos, VP Sales – North America, Airspan Networks

Will 5G be a catalyst for innovation and economic growth? Will it shine a light on the importance of Canada’s wireless networks?

Coincident with The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit, the 5G Canada Council website was launched: 5Gcc.ca

5G is more than just a new wave form. The reduction in latency permits all kinds of new applications and capabilities.

As Bruce Rodin said during the session, 5G is an evolution in the network, but a revolution in what the network can deliver.

You can read the CARTT.ca account of the 5G panel, or watch the complete session on YouTube.

As always, your comments are welcome.

On Wednesday, June 6, Rita Trichur, Financial Services editor at The Globe and Mail, moderated a panel at The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit that looked at “Artificial Intelligence: Should we embrace or fear what’s coming?”

The panel included:
  • Hassan Alzein, CTO, Communications Sector, DXC Technology
  • Brian Carpenter, Technology Evangelist, Pure Storage
  • Ian Hood, Chief Technologist, Global Service Providers, Red Hat
  • Jaime Leverton, VP & GM, Canada & APAC, Cogeco Peer 1
  • Shawn Mandel, Chief Digital Officer, TELUS

AI is among the top business trends being tracked, in terms of disruption and innovation. Is AI a threat? By some estimates, AI could unleash up to US$1.25T in investment by 2025.

Should we embrace or fear what’s coming?

Our panelists have lots to say. I hope you find the video useful.

On Monday, June 4, John Antonio, the Chief Strategy Officer of IDX, moderated a panel at The 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit that looked at Network Innovation: Transforming networks & applications for next generation services.

He was joined on the panel by:
  • James Buchanan, SVP & GM Ensemble, ADVA Optical Networking;
  • David Fell, CEO, Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network;
  • Ibrahim Gedeon, Chief Technology Officer, TELUS;
  • Ray Lahoud, COO, Allstream.

How do we deliver innovations in services to customers but hide the complexities of the network?

The session presents some top people discussing an important subject in an interesting way. I hope you find the video useful.

The Regulatory Blockbuster has become an annual highlight of The Canadian Telecom Summit and the 2018 edition featured a number of great moments.

For the 10th year, the session was moderated by Greg O’Brien, editor and publisher of CARTT.ca, Canada’s news leader covering the Canadian cable, radio, television and telecom sectors.

The panel consisted of:
  •  Samer Bishay, President & CEO, Iristel & Ice Wireless;
  •  Andy Kaplan-Myrth, VP, Regulatory & Carrier Affairs, TekSavvy Solutions;
  •  Robert Malcolmson, SVP, Regulatory Affairs, Bell Canada;
  •  David Watt, SVP, Regulatory, Rogers; and,
  •  Ted Woodhead, SVP, Strategic Policy Advisor, TELUS.

Each year, this session gives an opportunity to hear different perspectives on the regulatory and policy issues being reviewed in the Nation’s Capital and being debated in classrooms and online fora across the country.

Be sure to watch for the international comparison and the discussion of network neutrality.

Your comments are welcome.