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- Jason's Industry Insights - Issue #32
Jason's Industry Insights - Issue #32
Jason Presement
August 16, 2024
Your Weekly Broadband, Space and AI Market Insights
Issue #32 - August 16, 2024
Welcome to Issue #32!
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I think I need to start calling this something other than a newsletter. So much stuff in here - again - this week.
Some headlines of the week with a full Table of Contents Below!
🕵️♂️ CRTC expands policy directing certain telecom giants to offer fibre access to rivals
🥷 Fiber Broadband chief slams Starlink as a ‘cop out’ for BEAD
☢️ Data centers want to tap existing nuclear power. Is that good or bad?
💡 Telcos lack long-term plans – report
🛰️ As Skies Fill With Space Junk, Nonprofit Urges US to Pause StarLink Launches
🍔 Physicists solve nuclear fusion mystery with mayonnaise
💡 Learn About - The Paris Olympics - Technology and Innovation
In this Issue
Remember to repost, share, like, and comment.
Enjoy Issue #32!
Canada Broadband and Some US Stuff
CRTC expands policy directing certain telecom giants to offer fibre access to rivals
Tuesday’s decision from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, which will come into effect in February, expands upon an earlier, temporary directive that applied only to Ontario and Quebec, markets where, according to the regulator, internet competition had seen the most significant decline.
Read the full article. Read the CRTC Decision
My Take: Grab a drink and a snack. I’ve broken the decision down section by section. At a high level:
1. Competition in Canada’s Internet Service Markets
Issue: Canadians need affordable, high-quality Internet services, and competition in the Internet service markets needs to be improved. Over 4 million Canadian households subscribe to Gb services today.
Action/Decision: The Commission has mandated that Canada’s largest telephone companies—Bell Canada, SaskTel, and TELUS—provide competitors with workable wholesale access to their fibre networks by February 2025. This decision is expected to increase competition, offer consumers more choices, and encourage continued investment in high-speed networks.
2. Deployment of New Fibre Infrastructure
Issue: The balance between encouraging investments in high-quality networks and increasing competition is delicate. The deployment of new fibre infrastructure by incumbents could be delayed if they are required to provide wholesale access immediately. Encouraging continued investment in FTTP networks is crucial, especially in underserved areas.
Action/Decision: The Commission has decided that any new fibre deployed after the policy's date will not be eligible for wholesale access until August 2029. This decision is aimed at allowing incumbents a period to recoup their investments, which should incentivize them to deploy fibre more quickly.
3. Wholesale High-Speed Access (HSA) Service Framework
Issue: The existing wholesale HSA framework was not supporting competition effectively, particularly in the context of high-speed fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) services.
Action/Decision: The Commission has revised its wholesale HSA service framework by mandating that aggregated HSA services be available, with some limitations. It also addressed the necessity to support continued investments in high-speed networks while ensuring that the wholesale framework provides equitable access for competitors.
4. Incumbents’ Use of Aggregated HSA
Issue: The incumbents' use of aggregated HSA services in their own serving territories could undermine the incentives for network investment.
Action/Decision: The Commission has prohibited incumbents from using mandated aggregated HSA services within their own territories but allows them to use these services outside their traditional territories to foster competition and innovation.
5. Cable Companies and FTTP Services
Issue: There is a disparity in the requirements placed on telephone companies versus cable companies concerning wholesale access to FTTP services.
Action/Decision: The Commission has decided not to mandate wholesale access to FTTP services provided by cable companies at this time due to their limited deployment. However, it will monitor the situation and may require such access if the deployment significantly increases.
6. Implementation of Aggregated FTTP Services
Issue: The timeline for implementing the new aggregated FTTP services needs to be established.
Action/Decision: Incumbents must implement the new aggregated FTTP services within six months of the policy date. Temporary services provided in Ontario and Quebec will continue until the new services are in place.
7. Transition for Existing Customers
Issue: The transition for existing customers who are currently served by incumbents using wholesale HSA services needs careful management to avoid disruption.
Action/Decision: A transition plan is established where existing customers can continue receiving services but will face restrictions on upgrades and relocations. A 30-day period is allowed for processing outstanding orders.
8. Rate Setting and Monitoring
Issue: Ensuring fair and competitive wholesale rates and maintaining market stability requires ongoing oversight.
Action/Decision: The Commission will set interim rates by the end of 2024, with final rates to follow. Additionally, the market will be closely monitored to adjust policies as necessary, with a major review planned in five years.
Some Additional Comments:
Of course, everyone is waiting for rate setting to see if there will be true competition. All I know is that one incumbent was selling 1.5G for $65/month (for 24 months), below the interim ~$69 (I think?) rate for 1Gbps services.
The Big guys have said they use the Internet as a wedge to sell other services and, in some cases, wouldn’t invest in infrastructure builds if it was only to capture Internet customers.
How will any of this address the NetCo / ServeCo model that seems to be emerging in some parts of the country?
Can the smaller ISPs compete if Tier 1 is allowed to operate in non-incumbent territories?
…And then there’s the issue around the decommissioning of older copper networks. How will they be served if there isn’t access to fiber?
The struggle for affordable internet in remote Canada
Imagine streaming this year’s Stanley Cup finals and having to monitor how many minutes of the game you can watch before data overage charges kick in. Or cutting an online work meeting short because of the excessive costs of continuing a video call.
These issues – unfathomable to most people in urban Canada – have been a fact of life for people in rural, remote and Northern communities, where the cost of home internet can be prohibitively expensive
Read the full article
My Take: Although Canada has made big moves and significant investments over the past many years, the unserved and underserved remain. Fiber where you can, Elon where you must ;)
Fiber Broadband chief slams Starlink as a ‘cop out’ for BEAD
The normally reserved Gary Bolton, CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), kicked off the panel by slamming SpaceX’s Starlink whose president and COO had said the day prior that the company was interested in bidding for BEAD funds.
Then, Gwynne Shotwell said the company was still talking to NTIA about the program's rules. But Bolton said he thought using federal funding for low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite broadband coverage was “absurd.” He said SpaceX’s top boss, Elon Musk, already has his roadmap set for deploying Starlink satellites.
Read the full article
My Take: Hardly absurd. The FCC made that mistake with RDOF and disallowed a solution that probably would have resulted in people being connected - quickly - as opposed to some recipients being in default on projects. The ONLY issue with satellite-based solutions is the owner’s option to just take it with them if they move, leaving a service hole behind them.
When will CSPs stop thinking about “Elon” as a competitor as opposed to being part of the solution - for their customers? Get over yourselves.
Data centers want to tap existing nuclear power. Is that good or bad?
Across the U.S. East Coast, nuclear power plant owners are proposing marriages to tech giants who are both desperate for electricity to fuel their massive data-center expansion plans and publicly committed to using clean energy. The proposals go like this: Build data centers that connect directly to our round-the-clock, carbon-free nuclear power, and secure long-term financial and clean-energy benefits for the both of us.
Read the full article
My Take: Seems reasonable. Back it up with Hydrogen-powered options like what’s happening in Dublin, Irelend.
Rogers and SenseNet Partner to Introduce Wildfire Detection Technology
Rogers and SenseNet are partnering to bring this technology to 10 communities across the country, starting with Sparwood and Willowvale in British Columbia, and Christina Lake, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Marmot Mountain, Peerless Lake, Pelican Mountain, Wabasca-Desmarais, and Wood Buffalo in Alberta. The cameras and sensors will be deployed between now and early spring.
Read the full article
My Take: See, this is a great use case of “IoT” and “AI” coming together to helo solve a real problem.
Strategy
Telcos lack long-term plans – report
Telecom operators around the world are hampering their own progress by putting too great a focus on near-term plans and are too reliant on defensive strategies that will leave them ill-equipped to deal with the “pervasive changes” that will impact the telco sector over the next decade, according to a report from business consulting giant EY.
Read the full article
My Take: Yea, many similar types of reports here. It’s not about residential ARPU in the long term, especially under interesting regulatory environments in certain Countries… I don’t think there’s a race to zero with commoditized services in the SMB/Enterprise space.
Cyber-security services will account for almost 20% of operators’ incremental revenue from SMEs
Connectivity revenue from SMEs will remain mostly flat between 2023 and 2028 at roughly USD170 billion, though it will still account for 80% of operators’ total revenue from SMEs in 2028. Selling IT services will continue to be operators’ best prospect for revenue growth. We estimate that cyber-security services will account for almost 20% (USD3.3 billion) of operators’ incremental revenue from SMEs worldwide (Figure 1). Other IT services such as public cloud services (SaaS and IaaS/PaaS) will also contribute significantly.
Read the full article
My Take: See! What did I tell you? Connectivity is the means to the end. Connectivity isn’t the end.
American teens are generally against the idea of regulations that would place restrictions on their use of social media platforms, despite knowing the potential harms to mental and physical health, according to a poll of 430 first-time voters
Read the full article
My Take: Duh.
BONUS TIP 💡: If you want to read paywall US Bloomberg content, visit www.bnnbloomberg.ca, copy and paste the article title in the search bar, and voila! You’re welcome.
Learn About - The Paris Olympics - Technology and Innovation
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a showcase of cutting-edge technology, with several companies contributing to the innovations that enhance both the athlete and spectator experiences. Here’s a detailed look at the technologies used, the companies involved, and how these innovations are being applied:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics
AI has been a pivotal technology at the Paris Olympics, particularly in performance analysis and broadcasting. Companies like Intel have developed AI platforms for talent detection and performance improvement. These systems capture and process data such as biomechanics and heart rates in real-time, providing coaches with actionable insights that can be the difference between winning and losing. AI is also used in creating highlight videos in multiple formats and languages, enhancing the viewing experience for global audiences.
OMEGA, the official timekeeper, has integrated AI into its timekeeping systems. Their Scan 'O' Vision Ultimate cameras, capable of capturing 40,000 images per second, use AI-driven computer vision technology to track athletes and obstacles with precision, making them essential for sports like volleyball and tennis. AI-based motion tracking also assists commentators and viewers in monitoring athletes across various events.
5G Connectivity
Paris 2024 has rolled out 5G connectivity across all Olympic venues, ensuring seamless communication and supporting applications like live streaming and augmented reality (AR). This high-speed network allows spectators to enjoy immersive experiences through AR glasses and apps, bringing them closer to the action. The 5G network also facilitates real-time data sharing among officials, broadcasters, and emergency services, ensuring a smooth and safe event.
Accessibility Technologies
The Paris Olympics have introduced several technologies to enhance accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Companies like GiveVision, Touch2See, and Ezymob have partnered with the Paris 2024 organizing committee to implement innovations such as the Vision Pad and Low-Vision Helmet. The Vision Pad is a tactile tablet that allows users to track the movement of a ball in sports like basketball and soccer through touch. The Low-Vision Helmet enables users to zoom in on live-action, providing a more inclusive viewing experience. Audio description services are also available, offering detailed narrations of events to visually impaired spectators.
Digital Twins and Sustainability
The concept of digital twins, pioneered by companies like OnePlan, has been used for planning and managing the Olympics.
Digital twins are virtual models of physical venues, allowing organizers to simulate and optimize various aspects of the event, such as power distribution and camera placements, without being on-site. This technology has also contributed to sustainability efforts by monitoring energy consumption in real-time, helping to minimize the carbon footprint of the Games.
Broadcasting Innovations
Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), in collaboration with companies like OMEGA, has leveraged AI to enhance broadcasting. AI-generated data graphics provide detailed insights into athletes' performances, and motion-tracking technology helps commentators keep track of athletes’ positions during events. This has improved the quality and depth of information available to viewers, making the broadcasts more engaging and informative.
Ball Tracking Technology
One of the standout innovations at the Paris Olympics is the use of advanced ball-tracking technology, particularly in sports like volleyball.
Bolt6 has partnered with Hawk-Eye to deliver cutting-edge automatic ball-tracking systems. This technology is designed to enhance the accuracy and fairness of officiating by automatically determining whether a ball is in or out of play. The integration of Bolt6's ball-tracking technology with Hawk-Eye's video officiating system significantly reduces the need for manual challenge reviews, thus speeding up the game and maintaining its flow.Hawk-Eye, widely recognized for its precision in sports like tennis and cricket, has extended its application to volleyball and other sports at the Olympics.
The system uses a network of high-speed cameras and sophisticated algorithms to track the ball's trajectory in real time, providing officials with instant and reliable data to make accurate decisions
Implementation of Data Center Heat for Pool Heating
Equinix PA10 Data Center: The Equinix PA10 data center in Paris, which opened in 2023, plays a crucial role in this sustainable initiative. The data center is designed to capture and reuse the heat generated by servers, which typically produce a significant amount of heat as they process data. This heat is then redirected to warm the water in the Olympic pools, maintaining an optimal temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat Recovery Process: The process involves capturing the waste heat from the data center's servers and transferring it through a system of pipes to a heat exchange plate. This system warms water that is then circulated to the pools. A heat pump further increases the water temperature, ensuring it is suitable for the athletes.
This method not only utilizes excess heat that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere but also reduces the energy required to heat the pools, contributing to the sustainability goals of the Olympics.
Real-World Applications and Impact
These technological advancements have practical applications beyond the Olympics. AI and data analytics are transforming sports training methodologies, allowing athletes to receive pro-level analysis and insights traditionally reserved for elite competitors.
The integration of 5G and AR enhances the spectator experience, providing additional information and interactive elements during live events. Accessibility technologies set a precedent for inclusivity, ensuring that all individuals can enjoy the spectacle of the Games. Moreover, the sustainability practices implemented at Paris 2024 serve as a model for future large-scale events, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of eco-friendly initiatives.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have leveraged technology to enhance performance, accessibility, and sustainability, setting new standards for future sporting events. These innovations not only improve the current Olympic experience but also pave the way for future advancements in the sports industry.
Space
What’s in Space This Week!
Google Brings Satellite SOS Feature to Android With Pixel 9
According to Google’s Pixel 9 announcement on Aug. 13, Pixel 9 will be the first Android phone to include Satellite SOS. The service will allow users to contact emergency responders and share location via satellite without cellular service. Google said this service will first be available in the U.S. on Pixel 9 devices on any carrier plan. The service will be free for the first two years.
Read the full article
My Take: And how much is it after two years, and how will it compare to the likes of SPOT? All for this stuff it the price is right, or if it just becomes standard functionality over time.
Telesat close to securing government funds for Lightspeed
Telesat is close to securing significant funding from the Canadian government for its Lightspeed satellite constellation, a move crucial for advancing the project. The funds are expected to help Telesat meet the rising demand for global broadband connectivity, especially in remote regions. This financial boost comes as Telesat aims to compete with other major satellite operators in the rapidly growing market for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services.
Read the full article
My Take: Mo’ money. The Canadian taxpayer is well invested in this project already, so it will be great to literally see it get off the ground and start serving customers with necessary services.
As Skies Fill With Space Junk, Nonprofit Urges US to Pause StarLink Launches
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) is urging an environmental review of SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation, citing concerns over space debris and its potential environmental impacts. With thousands of satellites already launched and many more planned, the call emphasizes the need for stricter regulations to address the growing risks of collisions and space pollution.
Read the full story here
My Take: What about China? What about Amazon? What about all the other EO devices being launched? Proof, please. Without data, it’s just an opinion.
Demand for downstream EO applications is growing in verticals beyond defence and intelligence
A new report by Analysys Mason highlights significant growth opportunities in downstream Earth observation (EO) applications. The study indicates that advancements in AI and data analytics are driving demand across various sectors, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, and defence. As the market expands, partnerships between EO data providers and downstream service companies are becoming crucial for maximizing value.
Read the full report
My Take: Yea. What they said.
IoT Connectivity Demands Drive New Generation of Satellite Services
The rising demand for IoT connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas, is driving the development of a new generation of satellite services. These services aim to provide reliable, low-latency connections to support the growing number of IoT devices globally. The advancements in satellite technology are crucial for ensuring that IoT applications, from agriculture to smart cities, can operate effectively, regardless of location.
Read the full report
My Take: Remember that story about Rogers and wildfire sensing? Yea, this could help that, too. So much demand here, as long as the business case makes sense.
Satellite manufacturers and launch service providers need a more focused strategy to address the market
Satellite service providers are reassessing their strategies in response to increasing competition and shifting market demands. The focus is on innovation in areas like flexible satellite designs, multi-orbit constellations, and partnerships with terrestrial networks. These changes aim to enhance service delivery and tap into new revenue streams, particularly in connectivity for remote and underserved areas.
Read the full analysis
My Take: “partnerships with terrestrial networks”. The market is nascent and already under pressure. It’s all about TN and NTN working together.
Amazon's Kuiper Says Satellite Framework Needed Soon
Amazon's Kuiper Systems is pushing the FCC to "take expeditious action" to wrap up new rules dealing with spectrum sharing among non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service operators, comments regarding which have been filing into the docket for years.
In the two and a half years since the Federal Communications Commission opened the docket dubbed "Revising Spectrum Sharing Rules for Non-Geostationary Orbit, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems," Amazon.com Inc.'s satellite venture has commented on the matter no less than 30 times.
Read more here
My Take: Interference is a big issue. If spectrum isn’t coordinated, things can go bad.
AT&T and Verizon ask FCC to throw a wrench into Starlink’s mobile plan
AT&T and Verizon are urging telecom regulators to reject a key part of SpaceX's plan to offer cellular service with T-Mobile, claiming the satellite system will interfere with and degrade service for terrestrial mobile broadband networks.
Read the full article
My Take: See! More interference issues. Work together, people.
AI
Would you prefer AI to make major life decisions for you? Study suggests yes — but you'd be much happier if humans did
Despite preferring AI decision-making in general over human counterparts, the participants were generally happier with the decisions that people made over AI agents. Curiously, it didn't matter how "fair" or "correct" the decision itself was.
Read the full article
My Take: fair, correct, right, wrong.. If people will put their lives in the hands of self-driving cars tearing down the highway at 100Kmh, they may do anything. Of course, it depends on the decision and impact.
Three large language models (LLMs)—and how they’re being used for telco AI use cases
Whether telco AI applications are delivered by leveraging hyperscaler clouds or run on-premises, many are support by the multi-billion parameter large language models (LLMs) provided by the likes of Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI and a handful of other well-funded specialists in model development and training. Here we take stock of how the aforementioned companies, along with operators and their vendors, are using, and tuning, LLMs for telco AI.
Read the full article
My Take: More chatbot things. Lower my bill. I don’t need to speak with real people. Oh, here’s a story.
One of my STBs started acting up the other day. Voice and picture were out of sync, and the picture would freeze intermittently. So I called my provider.
I had already done some home diagnostic things. I performed the obligatory “unplug it for 30 seconds” thing twice, and the device would stall during part of the loading process. I moved one of my other STBs - which are all connected by WiFi, by the way - to the location of the failed one. It worked perfectly. I tried the one that didn’t work in the location of the one I relocated, and it still didn’t work. Broken, I deduced.
After 30 minutes on the phone with someone who might as well have been a robot as he was following his flow chart, he disappeared to figure out how to send me a replacement STB. I got tired of waiting. I hung up and called back. Ten minutes later, I was off the phone.
This is where a bot likely could have done a much better (ie: consistent) job with a much better user experience.
I Used ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode. It’s Fun, and Just a Bit Creepy
While testing Advanced Voice Mode as part of the early alpha, my interactions with ChatGPT’s new audio feature were entertaining, messy, and surprisingly varied, though it’s worth noting that the features I had access to were only half of what OpenAI demonstrated when it launched the GPT-4o model in May.
Read the full article
My Take: All I need is to start arguing with AI.
Jupitrr AI Video Maker
Jupitrr AI Video Maker is the fastest and easiest way to add engaging B-roll visuals to creators' content marketing videos. Powered with AI.
See the tool here
My Take: Another day, another AI tool for video content creators. This one seems to have some decent logos using it or had used it. I wonder how long people stay with a tool until the next one comes along, promising better things?
Tidbits
Cloudflare Radar
Cool site if you’re looking for all sorts of real-time quality, traffic, security, outage and other stats.
Tactical Edge Connectivity
Mission-critical communications for the edge user, they say.
The Secure Wireless Hub (SWH) is an addition to Viasat’s tactical gateway portfolio, offering an intuitive and versatile body-worn system that prioritizes human factors and ease of use. It seamlessly integrates into body armor systems, reducing kit configuration time by 90%. This allows edge users to quickly adapt to changing mission requirements while also providing additional processing power, enhanced security, and advanced networking capabilities. Designed for dismounted operations in austere environments where network extensions and edge compute are needed to execute the mission.
See it here!
My Take: Holy Moly, Talk about wearable tech.
Atomic-scale graphene-based magnets could spur on much smaller and more powerful computing components
Atomic-scale 2D magnets can be polarized to represent binary states — the 1s and 0s of computing data. These can lead to far more dense and energy-efficient components.
Read more here!
My Take: I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night…
Physicists solve nuclear fusion mystery with mayonnaise
The same physics that underlies mayonnaise could help physicists corral the ultrahot plasma needed to produce nuclear fusion.
In a new study, published in May in the journal Physical Review E, scientists plopped the creamy condiment into a churning wheel machine and set it whirling to see what conditions made it flow.
Read all about it.
My Take: I wonder if it was fat free or regular?
Infographic Of The Week
I guess nothing good happened after 2019.. I blame COVID. TikTok be dammed.
Podcast Recommendation
How One Tech Monopoly Paved the Way for Another
A landmark antitrust ruling against Google last week had at its heart the story of another case, one from the 1990s. Today, my colleague Steve Lohr on the influence of “US V. Microsoft” and what lessons that case may hold for the future of big tech today.
Listen here!
Movie/Streaming Recommendation
The Demon Seed
"Demon Seed" (1977) is a film that takes the concept of home automation to a whole new level—one that you probably wouldn't want in your smart home. Directed by Donald Cammell, this sci-fi horror flick stars Julie Christie as Susan Harris, a woman who finds herself at the mercy of Proteus IV, an AI with a rather unsettling desire to procreate. Think of it as "2001: A Space Odyssey" meets "Rosemary's Baby," with a dash of '70s psychedelic flair.
The plot revolves around Proteus, an AI created by Susan's estranged husband, Dr. Alex Harris. Proteus decides that merely controlling the lights and appliances isn't enough; it wants to create a child with Susan, using the Harris household's cutting-edge smart home technology to trap her. This is where the film's take on home automation becomes both terrifying and hilariously dated. Imagine Alexa deciding it wants a family, and you get the gist.
The film's portrayal of futuristic tech is a delightful throwback, with Proteus using clunky terminals and voice commands that make today's smart speakers look like rocket science. Yet, despite its dated technology, "Demon Seed" raises some intriguing questions about the limits of AI and the ethical dilemmas of creating machines that can think—and act—on their own.
Julie Christie delivers a strong performance, managing to convey genuine terror amidst the absurdity of the plot. Meanwhile, Robert Vaughn's voice work as Proteus is both chilling and oddly charismatic, making you almost root for the AI's bizarre quest for a legacy.
In the end, "Demon Seed" is a curious blend of horror and science fiction that, while not a classic, offers a unique take on the potential pitfalls of letting AI run your household. It's a film that makes you appreciate the simplicity of asking your smart home to play music or dim the lights, rather than, you know, demanding offspring. So, next time your smart home acts up, just be thankful it's not plotting world domination or worse, a family.
Until Next Time
Comments here are my own and do not represent the opinions, views or thoughts of any person, company or organization that I may be associated with.
Feedback, comments and ideas are welcomed. Message me on LinkedIn or contact me at [email protected]
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