Broadband Development Conference
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David Reed

University of Colorado, Scholar in Residence

David Reed is a scholar in residence in technology, cybersecurity and policy. Prior to joining CU, he was the chief strategy officer at Cable Television Laboratories, where he led large R&D projects covering a wide range of technologies relevant to the cable industry, such as application platforms, business services, voice-over-IP, and broadband delivery systems. Reed also has been a telecommunications policy analyst in the Office of Plans and Policy at the Federal Communications Commission, where he worked on cable-telco competition, personal communications services (PCS), and spectrum auction policies. Reed has authored a book on residential fiber optic networks and is a widely published author in telecommunications journals, books and magazines. He has been an author of interdisciplinary analyses that played key roles in defining U.S. policy debates on PCS spectrum allocation and local access competition. Reed holds a BS in electrical engineering from Colorado State University, an MS in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and PhD in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon.

All Sessions by David Reed

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Broadband 101

This pre-conference session will cover the basic concepts of broadband networking technology, economics, and public policy that all industry managers, public policy and government decision makers need to know. The session is geared to all levels of technical expertise using straightforward, non-technical language.

 

Learning Objectives – After attending this session, you should be able to:

  • Evaluate broadband deployment options across multiple wireline and wireless technologies using consistent policy criteria
  • Interpret broadband performance metrics (speed, latency, reliability, and availability) for compliance and oversight
  • Assess economic trade-offs in broadband deployment, including cost structures and market dynamics
  • Understand key spectrum management regulations of the Federal Communications Commission to reduce the cost of Internet connectivity.
  • Assess key broadband policy principles and developments such as Broadband as a Universal Service, Technology Neutrality, and the Definition of Broadband that are shaping the future of broadband today.

Session Outline (4-hours duration)

Part I: Wireline Broadband Networks (first two hours)

  • Understanding Broadband Networks
    • Basic network components and software systems
    • The layered Internet architecture
  • Future Trends in Wireline Broadband Networks
    • Copper, Coax, and Fiber Networks
  • Future Trends in Wireless Broadband Networks
    • Wi-Fi, 5G, 6G, Fixed Wireless, and LEO Satellite

Coffee Break (20 minutes)

Part II: Broadband Policy Topics (second two hours)

  • Spectrum Management Basics
    • FCC Approach to 5G and new satellite broadband networks
  • Broadband as a Universal Service
    • Broadband Plans and Government Subsidies (focus on BEAD Program)
  • Putting It All Together Via the Definition of Broadband
    • Implications of Technology Neutrality principle on broadband deployment choices
    • Key Internet performance metrics and how broadband performance has changed over time