Association of Communication Engineers

 

2010 ACE School and RUS Update

AGENDA

(Just click on the presenter's name or the vendor name to view their presentation)

Monday, May 3

 

8:00 AM Welcome and Housekeeping
Tom Fulton, President of ACE, Fulton Engineering

8:10 AM Broadband
Chris Roland, Topic Moderator, Palmetto Engineering & Consulting, LLC

Data growth is exploding in our industry. Telecom futurists are predicting an exaflood of usage and capacity requirements in the near future. This session will investigate the steps your telco should take to respond to this demand. Panelists will discuss ways that you can evolve your network and manage the potential congestion created by these IP based services.

 

Middle Mile
Brian LeCuyer, RVW

With projections of bandwidth exploding for the last mile, what will need to be done to transport this to your core? What technologies are available to handle this traffic? Will the technologies provide the reliability that we are accustomed in a carrier class network? What are the technologies doing to ensure a great quality of experience? Will Ethernet be the end all technology?

 

The Last Mile
Charlie Watts, Communications Engineering

As the consumer demand for bandwidth continues to grow at an exponential rate we are left wondering what can be done with existing architectures. Is the answer Fiber to the Premises, and if so, should you use active or passive technology? Is xDSL dead? What is being done to maximize the bandwidth that can be obtained on copper plant? Will loop bonding be enough? What about HFC networks? How far will you have to drive fiber into your last mile? What is being done to increase bandwidth on HFC networks?

 

11:00 AM Resume Broadband Presentations
Congestion Control
Andy Deinert, Vantage Point Solutions

Before the Stimulus regulations were complete, the Net Neutrality debate had died down a bit. Now that the Stimulus is in full swing, the legislation has brought Net Neutrality back to the forefront. How will you manage the traffic on your network and remain “net neutral”? Will you be able to assign a higher priority to video and voice traffic while maintaining internet traffic as best effort?

 

 

Fixed Mobile Convergence/IMS
Lanny J. Harris, Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc.

For the last couple of years we have been hearing the wonders of IMS and Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). Will IMS or FMC be the best method of handling the broadband traffic in the core of the network? Are the technologies actually being deployed in any mainstream applications? Get an update on the state of both FMC and IMS and see if either will be able to live up to the hype or will there be another technology.

 

1:00 PM Wireless
Lynn Merrill, Topic Moderator, Monte R. Lee & Company

The wireless session will address the challenges the Mobile Wireless industry faces today and in the future. Discussions will include the impact from commoditization of the handset industry, what to expect from WiMax and LTE technology, how to capitalize on wireless backhaul and what to do when spectrum is not currently owned.

 

Mobile Wireless (PCS, Cellular)
Russ Hamilton, CHR Solutions, Inc.

The mobile, wireless PCS and cellular industry has grown over the past decade. Learn how the industry has changed and what can we expect with the implementation of WiMax and LTE. Will the availability and future of handsets matched with the roaming network define the successfulness of the service providers? Discuss how the Open Handset Alliance and other forums are shaping the landscape of future devices and how other devices meet the market demand for air cards, machine to machine services and fixed wireless applications.

 

4G Wireless
Don Swedenburg, RVW

Discuss what is considered 4th Generation Wireless, how the technology works, what air interfaces are being used, bandwidth required and the practical use of software defined radios. Learn who is providing the service today, how disruptive is the change in migrating from 2G and 3G network to 4G, and what backhaul requirements will be needed from the Telco’s to serve the 4G cell sites.

 

3:15 PM Resume Wireless Presentations
What’s Next?
Gary Beikmann, Monte R. Lee & Company

Many changes have occurred with the implementation of data and video in the wireless industry. Learn what the next hot technologies to come out of the wireless evolution will be, and what frequencies (both licensed and unlicensed) are being used to deploy these technologies. See how the merger of voice, video and data blur the lines to provide new services and separate the many players in the wireless field. Learn what paths can be taken to overcome the major hurdle of having little or no spectrum.

 

Tuesday, May 4

 

8:00 AM Video Sessions
Tom Harter, Topic Moderator, Engineering Associates

Sessions will include the latest developments in the deployment of video services and will discuss the most recent IPTV developments, challenges and tools needed to be successful.

 

IPTV Headends and Programming
Steve Senne, Finley Engineering Company, Inc.

The session will define the “who, what and how” of IPTV programming and how studios and networks are participating in IPTV distribution. We will also discuss stand-alone vs. shared systems and transport of shared headends.

 

IPTV Transport to the Home, MPEG4, and Set-Top Boxes
Gary Larson, Communications Network Engineers, Inc.

This session will include discussions on MPEG4 to the house, HPNA3 and interface through the home, whole house DVR, management systems and QOS, and surveillance.

 

10:45 AM Resume Video Session Presentations
Over-the-top TV and Direct Broadcast Satellite Providers
Mike Riley, Mid-State Consultants, Inc.; Chaz Calhoun, Mid-State Consultants, Inc.

Discuss user-generated content, streaming clips from Weather Channel, ESPN, etc., and what online content is currently available. The session will also discuss if having a unique IP address for each set-top box means anything. Learn what’s new with DBS and the primo source for HDTV. Is Telepresence for enterprise-level only? And is there any significant meaning for broadband providers?

 

RF Video Updates, RFoG, and Off-air
Tracey Brewer, Engineering Associates, Inc.

Learn more about RFoG and if ONT vendors are ready. The session will include discussions on whether HITS is still a viable solution, national control vs. local control, issues with off-air digital conversions and the affects of greater splits (>32) and longer distances (>20 km) on RF overlay. Question and Answer

 

1:00 PM                   RUS Presentations

Introduction and Program Update
David Villano, Assistant Administrator-Telecommunications; Jonathan Claffey, Deputy Assistant Administrator-Telecommunications

 

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Update
Laurel Leverrier, Broadband Loan Specialist; Revised 5/13/2010

This session will provide a status report on RUS’s implementation of the ARRA funds Round 1.

 

Long Chen, Broadband Engineer

 

Other topics to be covered will include: post loan/grant rules on ARRA funded projects, affect of ARRA projects on the traditional lending program, and lending issues.

 

Laurel Leverrier, Broadband Loan Specialist; Revised 5/13/2010 

 

 

This session will provide a status report on RUS’s implementation of the ARRA funds Round 2.

 

 

3:20 PM Resume RUS Presentations

Broadband Farm Bill Update

Laurel Leverrier, Broadband Loan Specialist Added 5/13/2010

This session will provide a status update of the broadband regulations followed by an overview of the statutory requirements of the broadband program as contained in the 2008 Farm Bill. The session will be followed by questions and answers. If published by the time of the conference, the regulations will be covered in detail.

 

FCC National Broadband Plan and Rural Universal Service Reform
John Huslig, Financial Analyst Updated 5/13/2010

On April 21, 2010 the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry on various aspects of the NBP and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Reform of the Legacy (existing) High-Cost USF.

 

Wednesday, May 5

 

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Construction and Loan Funds Advance Procedures Workshop
Bill Vogt,
George Oyegoke,
Peter Aimable;

Contract Administration Workbook   New Posting 5/13/2010

 

This breakout session workshop will cover RUS rules and procedures with respect to contract construction, plans and specifications, bidding /negotiation, work order / minor construction, and finally advance procedures using the FRS Form 481.

 

8:00 AM RUS Presentation
The Loan Application Process: General Overview and Common Problems
Shawn Arner, Deputy Director;
Richard Anderson, Operations Branch Chief

What are the process/steps involved for a loan application submitted to RUS? How does RUS prioritize loan applications for review and approval? What are common omissions and problems with loan applications? These questions as well as a discussion of the loan demand for traditional RUS loan program will be discussed in detail.

 

Loan Servicing Issues
Roland Woodfolk, Operations Branch Chief;
Randall Milhiser, Loan Specialist

Discussion of Loan Servicing issues including submission and review of Operating Reports / Audits and potential affect on Loan Fund Advances, TIER maintenance requirement, and expiration dates of loans.

 

10:40 AM Resume RUS Presentations
Environmental Reports
Dennis Rankin, Environmental Staff

Discussion of the Environmental Report process from cradle to grave, with a focus on ER preparation. The discussion will also include possible streamlining of the ER process.

 

RUS Contract Changes Update
Norberto Esteves, Advanced Services Division

This session will provide a status update of changes to RUS contracts. In addition, an overview of the change in Performance Bonding Requirements of Equipment Contracts will be covered.

 

1:00 PM Resume RUS Presentations
Panel Discussion of New Form 515a Units
Joe Mafnas, Advanced Services Division; Dean Mishke, Finley Engineering; Kevin Mason, PCCA

This panel will discuss changes to the units proposed in the new Form 515a. Representatives of ACE, RUS and PCCA will participate in the discussion.

 Joe Mafnas TSB Latest Field Issue New Posting 5/27/2010

Joe Mafnas 515a New Posting 5/27/2010

 

3:00 PM Resume RUS Presentations
Technical Issues Update – Advanced Services Division
Norberto Esteves, Advanced Services Division

Discussion of equipment and technical issues, including developments in grounding, bonding and equipment updates.

 

Roundtable Q&A Session

 

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Thank you to all the Vendors that helped make the 2010 ACE/RUS School a success. Click on the image below to see a list of the vendor sponsors