WICT

A Wi-Fi Summer Tip Sheet

PHILADELPHIA–It was a full-on Wi-Fi binge at the Philly Tech It Out program here on 8/21, with one common refrain: When it comes to Wi-Fi, we’re still in the very, very early stages.

 

“We know it’s new and nifty, and know it adds value, but where it’s going to go is anybody’s bet,” said morning keynoter Ken Falkenstein, VP/Wireless Technology for Comcast. He added, for the benefit of the appreciable student presence: “You will have a marvelous career trying to get rid of the wires.”

 

Other highlights of the “Wi-Fi Everywhere” day, put on by the Philadelphia chapter of Women In Cable & Telecommunications:

 

Greyhound’s decision on its 100^th anniversary to put Wi-Fi spigots throughout its short-term rides reversed what had been the company’s smallest earner — and they can thank the millennial generation for it. “They gave us something we think we should have,” said Blaire Ballin, a senior at Ramapo College and Comcast summer intern.

 

Speaking of millennials: They’re a demanding bunch. Earlier this summer, she accidentally over-ran her data plan. Yes, she could’ve paid for more. But then again: “I have a hard time understanding that I have to pay for anything. Luxuries should just be there.”

 

(Just to bring your eyebrows back down: This same young woman also led a project that enabled a community of Guatemalan women to sell their woven goods over Wi-Fi.)

 

Sexy Wi-Fi numbers: Comcast expects to light up 8 million Wi-Fi “homespots” by year-end, calling the decision to install boxes comprised of both cable modem and Wi-Fi radio “the hockey stick moment.”

 

Time Warner Cable’s Wi-Fi footprint supports 17 million sessions per month; about a fifth of them come in from roaming partners, like Boingo. (Last summer, Time Warner was the first U.S. operator to partner with Boingo on Wi-Fi roaming — industrially known as HotSpot 2.0, with a consumer brand of Passpoint.)

 

The city’s regional rail line supports about 270,000 Wi-Fi sessions per month, with a load of 2.5 Terabytes of data transfer, said Bill Zebrowski, Senior Director of Information Technology for SEPTA, who quipped: “That’s a lot of Walking Dead.”

 

At the 2014 World Cup, in Brazil, 30% of the people sitting in the 241,033-seat Maracana Stadium got a connectivity fix over Wi-Fi, moving 5.6 terabytes of data over 217 access points, noted executives from Ruckuss Wireless.

 

Crazy stuff that’s coming: Wi-Fi that recharges your batteries. (What!?) Well, sort of. It’s called “wireless backscatter,” and is in the academic stages now as a way to make battery-less the sensors of the Internet of Things.

 

In closing: Focusing on one tech subject for an entire day takes guts! It worked. Kudos, WICT Philadelphia, for an outstanding event.

This column originally appeared in the Platforms section of Multichannel News.

Rocky Mountain WICT Leadership Roundtable, Part 5: Careers

In 2009, the Rocky Mountain chapter of Women in Telecommunications and Cable invited me to moderate a roundtable discussion featuring 10 former “Women of the Year.”

This final roundtable segment talks about women in technology, in cable. Women sometimes doubt themselves and their ability to rise to the next level — even when they may be more qualified than men. Comcast’s Charlotte Field raises the notion of ‘pay-for-performance’ and how it can help women get the salary and positions they deserve.

Rocky Mountain WICT Leadership Roundtable, Part 4: Looking Ahead

In 2009, the Rocky Mountain chapter of Women in Telecommunications and Cable invited me to moderate a roundtable discussion featuring 10 former “Women of the Year.”
We begin this segment with an excerpt from journalist Margerie Williams’ essay “Thank You Clarence Thomas,” which shines a contemporary spotlight on the word “feminism”. The term bulges with connotations, mostly negative. We discuss whether there’s value in repositioning of the word, and how the future of feminism and women’s rights lies in the ability to partner, not exclude, men. The notion of leadership must also be reevaluated, the participants explain, to include ideas of community.

Video courtesy Rocky Mountain WICT.

Rocky Mountain WICT Leadership Roundtable, Part 3: Multi Generation

In 2009, the Rocky Mountain chapter of Women in Telecommunications and Cable invited me to moderate a roundtable discussion featuring 10 former “Women of the Year.”

In this segment, we discuss this first-time reality: Right now, and for the first time ever, four generations of women are present in the workplace. This creates … unique situations, which are illuminated. Bottom line: Understanding the differences between these generational groups is useful — because with a little effort, the unique gifts and qualities of each generation can work together. We also discuss how these differences are best addressed in the workplace — and the positive outcomes that can be created when one knows what motivates each generation.

Video courtesy Rocky Mountain WICT.

Rocky Mountain WICT Leadership Roundtable, Part 2: Reflections & Advice

In 2009, the Rocky Mountain chapter of Women in Telecommunications and Cable invited me to moderate a roundtable discussion featuring 10 former “Women of the Year.”

In this segment, Colleen Abdoulah, President and CEO of Wide Open West, discusses how important it is that men and women work together — and how the sharing of power and influence helps companies in the long run. The conversation segues into the need for diversity and inclusiveness in the corporate work environment. Wrapping the section: Best practical advice ever received.

Video courtesy Rocky Mountain WICT.

Rocky Mountain WICT Leadership Roundtable, Part 1: Looking Back

In 2009, the Rocky Mountain chapter of Women in Telecommunications and Cable invited me to moderate a roundtable discussion featuring 10 former “Women of the Year.” The session was inspired to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the chapter’s annual Gala event.

We’re streaming it to you in five parts, because it’s long. We discuss tons of issues, ranging from the changing corporate world of cable, to the role women in play in defining their own professional and personal lives. In this first part, I ask about “first job” experiences, defining career moments, and how they’ve changed over the last ten years.

Video courtesy Rocky Mountain WICT.