SCTE's Popo and Morse on cable's convergence moment at SCTE TechExpo25

As the cable industry considers new methods to address competition with fiber and converged wireless/wireline service sets, it’s clear the industry is looking towards its next elements of growth. Nowhere will this be highlighted than at the SCTE TechExpo25.

During this year’s TechExpo25 show, attendees will be able to view new technologies like AI, automation, and advanced planning, while tackling challenges in security, operations, and construction.

Broadband Pulse recently caught up with Maria Popo, President and CEO, SCTE, and Janelle Morse, VP of engagement and strategy, SCTE, to discuss their expectations for this year’s show in Washington, DC.

Key Moments in This Episode

Opening

0:04 Introduction of our guests

0:31 Guests provide background Maria Popo and Janelle Morse talk about their roles at SCTE.

1:37 SCTE CableTech25 expectations Janelle Morse shares highlights about the TechExpo25 show

4:43 Workforce readiness and policy Maria Popo addresses how the show will highlight workforce issues shaped by AI and communications regulations.

5:58 Cable’s convergence story Maria Popo looks at how cable operators are looking to create seamless experiences across their assets--HFC, fiber, mobile and Wi-Fi.

8:58 Differentiated services Janelle Morse highlights the cable industry’s move to offer more than just speeds.

9:26 Cable’s last mile evolution How cable operators are expanding fiber strategically while squeezing value out of the existing HFC network.

13:25 Regional cable operators Janelle Morse discusses how small cable operators can learn and gain inspiration from Tier 1 providers.

14:41 BEAD Evolution How the cable industry is grappling with the new administration’s changes to the BEAD program.

16:38 Building the next-gen workforce How the cable industry can use AI to train and apply it in the field.

20:52 Final Thoughts/closing Maria Popo and Janelle Morse give their final closing thoughts.

About our guests

Maria Popo, President and CEO, SCTE As president and CEO of SCTE, a CableLabs subsidiary, Popo is dedicated to enhancing the broadband industry by aligning corporate goals with transformative learning solutions, fostering workforce technology skills and innovation, while leveraging its global network of over 60 chapters for industry engagement and insights. Popo’s journey from trade school to academia and boardrooms has been shaped by tenacity, adaptability, and lifelong learning. During her tenure in the networking and cable industries, she held senior roles at various companies, including Global Fortune 50 Foxconn, CEO/president of Ubee Interactive Americas, and 3Com(HP)/Ambit Microsystems/3M.

Janelle Morse, VP of engagement and strategy, SCTE As SCTE’s Vice President of Engagement and Strategy, Janelle Morse leads strategy and engagement initiatives across the SCTE membership community and drives global participation for TechExpo, North America’s premier broadband technology event. Before joining SCTE in 2023, she served as VP of Research, Events & Media at TM Forum, where she led initiatives to showcase the Forum and industry achievements across multiple platforms, fostering opportunities for learning, collaboration, exploration, and connection. In 2020, she successfully led her team through the rapid transformation of TM Forum’s flagship event, Digital Transformation World, into a completely virtual 6-week magazine-style event.

About the Podcast  In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and listen here.