The Competitive Carriers Association’s (CCA) 2019 Annual Convention is heading to Providence, Rhode Island and features an array of speakers, including FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, who will deliver keynote remarks on Wednesday, September 18. Educational sessions will explore business strategies, policy initiatives, new spectrum opportunities and technology innovations, particularly regarding 5G, that are key for the competitive mobile ecosystem. The show takes place at the Rhode Island Convention Center, September 16-18, 2019.
Technology convergence has been an industry trend for years and, for the first time, CCA will join with ACA Connects to bring shared interests in the technology crossroads of wireless and fixed wireless services into focus. Taking the stage on September 17 to discuss the synergies between the cable and wireless industries will be Steve Berry, President & CEO of CCA; Matthew Polka, President & CEO of ACA Connects; David Heimbach, ACA Connects Board Member and EVP & COO of Shentel; and Willy Pirtle, CCA Chairman of the Board and SVP of Sales and Marketing for Shentel.
Next-generation 5G services promise to unleash new consumer potential as innovators leverage improvements in speed, capacity, and latency, and 5G promises to be a focus of many panel discussions at the conference. In addition to Starks, the keynote program will feature industry experts in one-on-one fireside chat discussions. Speakers and topics include Mike Keegan, CEO of TNS – “Restoring Trust in Voice;” Dr. Tod Sizer, VP of Smart Optical Fabric and Device Research of Nokia Bell Labs – “Societal Impact of Industrial IoT;” Josh Wigginton, VP of Product Management for Interop Technologies – “RCS: A Catalyst for Carrier Change;” and GS Sickand, VP and CTO, Regional Carriers, Ericsson – “Maximizing 4G/5G Coexistence.”
Building upon its success at CCA’s Mobile Carriers Show in Denver in April, Award Solutions will return to host a fresh industry update on recent 5G spectrum progress, and will offer its popular 5G Integration Experience. The 5G Integration Experience provides a tactile, engaging approach for anyone wishing to learn about 5G, and participants will construct network models of the key 5G building blocks, design networks for specific network deployment scenarios, and learn about anticipated challenges. Mark Harms, Senior Consultant – Technology for Business, at Award Solutions, will lead these sessions.
“I am delighted CCA’s 2019 Annual Convention will be in New England this year and that Commissioner Starks will be there to discuss FCC priorities and policies that directly affect the competitive mobile ecosystem,” said Berry. “I look forward to the one-on-one keynote discussions on RCS, 4G/5G Coexistence, Industrial IoT and Restoring Trust in Voice – all topics of great interest to CCA members.” The educational program will contain discussions on the most relevant industry issues including preparing for 5G, maximizing the potential of fixed wireless, mid-band spectrum needs, B2B sales strategies, and innovative new products for carriers.
“The always-popular exhibit hall is filling up quickly, and as a new addition this year, will feature a Sales & Profit Pavilion co-sponsored by the Wireless Business Owners Consortium (WiBOC),” continued Berry. “Exhibitors in this area will present products and services aimed at creating profitable, new income opportunities, and I encourage all attendees to check it out.”
On Monday, September 16, CCA will get “revved up” for the show with a unique networking event, “Arrive and Drive: R1 Indoor Karting,” from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Participants will be able to live their dreams of being a professional racecar driver in a high voltage race cart on a state-of-the-art indoor track. A private game room will be available with billiards and bowling for everyone to enjoy, along with food, drinks, and boundless networking opportunities.
In addition to R1 Indoor Karting, attendees will be able to enjoy a number of networking events, including the Kick-Off Happy Hour on Monday, September 16 at the Omni Providence. The keynote luncheon and cocktail receptions in the exhibit hall provide ample opportunities for all registered attendees to catch up with old friends and make new industry contacts. CCA’s 2019 Annual Convention is a must-attend industry event for carriers, vendors, and industry stakeholders. Register early for the best rates.
August 14, 2019
The post FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to Deliver CCA Keynote September 18 appeared first on Inside Towers.