Awards Gala
Monday, April 15, from 5 – 8PM
Mississauga Convention Centre, Salon F
Trade Show & Seminars
Mississauga Convention Centre
Exhibitor Set Up: Monday, April 15, from 1 – 7PM
Awards Gala: April 15, from 5 – 8PM
Exhibitor Entrance to Trade Show: 10AM daily
Exhibitor Tear Down: Wednesday, April 17, 4 – 7PM
Show Dates: Tuesday, April 16 & Wednesday April 17, 2019
Welcome Reception: Tuesday, April 16, 3 – 4PM
Registration Opens: Exhibitors only – April 15, 1PM; Attendees: April 16-17, 7AM
Seminars & Workshops: From 8AM daily
Trade Show Hours: 11AM – 4PM daily
Live Demos: From 1PM daily in Trade Show
Seminar & Workshop Schedule
Seminar Schedule 2019 East
20-Minute Demos At-The-Booth Schedule
DEMO SCHEDULE East 2019 – Available April 1, 2019
Apply at: DEMO APPLICATION
Click on date bar below for schedule details.
Available February 5, 2019
Time: | Description: |
1 – 7PM | EXHIBITOR SETUP & REGISTRATION |
Mississauga Convention Center
Time: | Description: |
5 – 8PM | COMMTECH AWARDS GALA |
COMMTECH AWARDS GALA
All awards presentations have one simple goal: To identify an outstanding business/organization and individual in the Canadian ICT Industry and honour them publicly for their Excellence in Communications contributions.
DINNER, AWARDS & ENTERTAINMENT. $150pp
Nominations for awards can be made at:
https://www.commtechshow.com/east/commtech-awards-dinner/
Time: | Description: |
7 am - DAY ONE | REGISTRATION OPENS |
Registration & Coffee/Tea service
Time: | Description: |
8am | Seminar |
(1-1) DOCSIS 3.1 and OFDM Technology and Testing

Speaker: Tony Holmes, Field Applications Engineer, VeEX (view bio)
Bio:
Tony Holmes serves as Field Application Engineer for VeEX. He is responsible for technical support and training. Prior to joining VeEX he served as Applications Engineering Manager for Trilithic and also spent over 18 years with CATV operators providing engineering management. He was the founder of Donovan & Associates which specialized in network engineering.
Broadband-only subscribers are the customers of the future. Competition for that “Broadband Only” customer is increasing. Faster throughput speeds are needed to keep up with this ever growing demand.
This seminar will help answer the question “Are You Ready for DOCSIS 3.1”. You will be introduced to the DOCSIS 3.1 technology and learn some basic concepts. You will learn how DOCSIS 3.1 will give you more throughput in your existing network by using an OFDM carrier and LDPC.
You will gain an understanding on how to use the tools to properly identify issues. You will learn about Profile usage and how to make the measurements. In addition, there will be a discussion on how to migrate from your current technology to DOCSIS 3.1.
Time: | Description: |
8 am | Seminar |
(1-2) Small Cells for 5G

Speaker: Prasad Bhandaru, Program Manager, Cyient Inc.
As user traffic continues to grow rapidly, today's largely macro cell networks will evolve into dense and ultra dense Heterogeneous networks. By 2020, Industry experts expect UDN has to cover indoor and outdoor areas of most of the Urban centers.
In this presentation we try to cover different type of deployments, planing challenges and how we can over come them.
Time: | Description: |
8 am | Seminar |
(1-3) The Telecom Convergence and How it Affects Municipalities

Speaker: Roel Coert, Smart Cities Telecom Manager, GNEC (view bio)
Bio:
Roel worked for major Information Communications Technology firms throughout Europe. He has also lead a team, in engineering, designing, building and operating the first open access optical fibre network (QNet) for the city of Coquitlam in British Columbia. He implemented the open access business case (BridgeNet) for New Westminster and CRadvantage for Campbell River.
Many developments in the telecommunication industry converge and will affect the municipality infrastructure in terms of their use and maintenance.
1. Urbanization is not expected to slow down. Worldwide, cities are growing which increase strains on the existing infrastructure.
2. All major wireless providers are upgrading their wireless networks to “5G” in the next years. It comes down to higher speeds on the phones and more antennae in streets.
3. The Internet of Things is expected to grow from 24% between 2017 and 2022. The explosion of sensors through the cities will affect their infrastructure and create management opportunities.
4. The Knowledge Economy is a rapidly developing, more and more business and citizens are working online, collaborating and competing with other business and citizens worldwide.
5. Big Data is collected from sensors, cameras and other devices, stored and analyzed to observe trends.
This presentation will address these topics from a municipal point of view and outline the benefits and how to mitigate the risks.
Time: | Description: |
9 am | Seminar |
(1-4) KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Speaker: James Myles, Director, Wireline Access Ontario North East, Rogers Communications (view bio)
Bio:
to come
Time: | Description: |
10 am | Seminar |
(1-5) Remote PHY

Speaker: Guylain Barlow, PLM - Metro, VIAVI Solutions (view bio)
Bio:
Guylain Barlow has been involved in the telecom industry for 30 years; he started his career at IBM and Nortel in product design and network engineering. For the past 17 years, his focus has been in developing and launching new products and technologies in the test & measurement industry. Guylain has authored several technology papers; his experience includes international assignments to Australia.
Time: | Description: |
10 am | Seminar |
(1-6) Exploring the Synergies Between Wireless and Wireline in 5G Planning

Speaker: Kevin Wynne, Manager, Americas, Comsof (view bio)
Bio:
Kevin currently leads Comsof’s commercial business in the North American market, with over ten years of experience in strategic echnical roles. Kevinhas a degree in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and a Professional Engineering Designation in the Province of Ontario. He is an active member of the broadband industry, which includes sitting on the Fiber Broadband Association’s Technology Commitee.
In this session we will cover how to take an integrated approach to planning and designing a 5G deployment. We will examine the desired interaction between the wireless and wireline design in real scenarios, including how geography and technical specifications will affect the optimal solution. We will also look at ways to optimize the cost of a small cell deployment, while ensuring that such an optimization does not jeopardize the network performance.
Time: | Description: |
10 am | Seminar |
(1-7) Troubleshooting Future RF Deployments

Speaker: Ron Huinink, Technical Manager Broadband, Telonix Communications (view bio)
Bio:
Ron’s career in the CATV industry began 25 years ago in construction, for a local cable company. He joined Cogeco Cable in 1998 as a Service Technician, gaining exposure to the MSO’s interdependence of maintenance, construction, headend/data departments, and planning.
Ron has been a member of SCTE for 16 years and in 2013 was elected to the Ontario Board where he served as President for two years. Recently Ron joined Telonix as Technical Manager Broadband. His main role is supporting the company’s RF products.
Speaker: Patrick Noel, Solution Sales Engineer, VIAVI Solutions (view bio & pic)
Bio:
Patrick has been involved in the telecom industry for 25 years, starting his career at Videotron in network engineering. For the past 18 years, Patrick’s key focus has been supporting service providers with technologies for test & measurement of their networks.
What exactly are these changes that face the cable operator and how might the cable plant continue to evolve in the coming years? Remote PHY, Remote MAC-PHY, Full duplex, ESD, and Docsis 3.1. What do they mean and how do they work? What are some of the differences and what will be some of the tools needed to properly troubleshoot any issues that may occur?
Operators have a very large network to manage but will need to ensure that their technicians are properly trained and using the correct equipment.
This presentation will look at some of the different technologies and the proper techniques and tools that will be needed.
Time: | Description: |
11 am | Seminar |
(1-8) Super-PON Network

Speaker: Jhon Guarin, Network Deployment and Operations Lead, Google Fiber (view bio)
Bio:
to come
Time: | Description: |
11 am | Seminar |
(1-9) It's Been a Few Years - Did Adding Streaming Help our Operators?

Speaker: Stephen Sacks, President, MDL Communications Inc. (view bio)
Bio:
Stephen is an accomplished senior-level Sales/Marketing executive in the broadband and video telecommunications industries, with proven strategic & tactical capabilities in providing leading-edge technology solutions to those industries since 1984. Stephen received his Professional Engineering degree (Mechanical & Aeronautics) at the University of Toronto in 1973, and MBA (majoring in Marketing & Buyer Behavior) at Schulich, Toronto, in 1977. Stephen founded MDL Communications in 2006, one of Canada’s top VARs and Design/Consulting Firms. He works with his partners Boris Eventov, Vincent Garneau, Collin McIntyre, Ron Polsky, Darren Richer, and Rita Sacks, continuing to provide laser-targeted, cost-effective solutions to the communications industry.
Time: | Description: |
11 am | Seminar |
(1-10) Bringing DAA To Life: How to Automate Everything

Speaker: Chris Busch, Fellow, CTO Network, ARRIS International plc (view bio)
Bio:
Chris Busch is Engineering Fellow – CTO Networks at ARRIS, responsible for guiding orchestration and virtualization technology and helping CCAP operators achieve their distributed architecture goals. Previously, he held positions at ARRIS in Assurance software architecture and as CTO of Incognito Software leading development in CableLabs, Broadband Forum, and TMForum.
The presenter will cover industry orchestration standards such as TOSCA, YANG and how to achieve ‘model-driven’ automation with analytics to watch for subscriber experience of all services from DOCSIS to PON to Wireless all serviced from the DAA.
When the future cable network has had its last-mile technologies automated as described in this session, the next possibility of subscriber self-subscription opens itself up for discussion. With an interface to the network, specifically making the network subscriber service aware, imagine giving the customer a portal where they may a-la carte change almost any of their service options.
Time: | Description: |
1 pm | Seminar |
(1-11) Fiber: The Infrastructure of the Future

Speaker: Lisa R. Youngers, President and CEO, Fiber Broadband Association (view bio)
Bio:
Lisa R. Youngers is the President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) – the only all-fiber trade association in the Americas, where she oversees operations, finance, advocacy and ensures member value. She previously served as CEO of Nextlink Wireless, LLC, a spectrum management firm and wireless network.
Time: | Description: |
1 pm | Workshop |
(1-12) Why SOC (splice-on-connector) ?

Speaker: Steven Sun, Technical Manager Optical, Telonix Communications Inc. (view bio)
Bio:
Steven has a B.Sc Degree in Microwave Technology from Shanghai University of Science & Technology. Sales Engineer of test and measurement/OSP products (Anritsu, Sumitomo, Yokogawa, Agilent, FITEL) in the Telecommunication/CATV industry since 1991. He has 8 years’ experience in repair and field support for FITEL fusion splicers, cleavers and connectorization. Member of SCTE since 2007.
A splice-on connector uses a fusion splicer to permanently join a fiber stub inside the connector with a fiber cable. The splice is protected within the boot of the connector, replacing the need for traditional pigtails because the splice is contained within the connector.
Here are four major reasons to choose SOC:
1. Your job will be well managed and clean.
No more slack management of fiber strands but length controllable.
2. Higher reliability than mechanical splice connectors
Satisfied and acceptable insertion loss and return loss. Quality controllable with splicer estimated loss. More consistent and predictable results versus mechanical connectors at the time of install and life of the connector.
3. Easy field operation
Guaranteed with world leading and unique design.
4. Significant lower cost
The cost of the fusion splicer has been dropping significantly. The cost of each SOC is much lower than of a mechanical connector.
Time: | Description: |
7am - DAY TWO | REGISTRATION OPENS |
Registration & Coffee/Tea service
Time: | Description: |
8 am | Seminar |
(2-1) Rethinking the Evolution of Cable Networks – A Hybrid Approach

Speaker: Doug Blue, Director of Field Marketing – Cable Operators, CALIX (view bio)
Bio:
Doug Blue is Director of Field Marketing for Calix. Doug has over 20 years of leadership experience in sales, marketing, and business development in the telecommunications industry.
At Calix, Doug is responsible for all go to market activities associated with the cable industry. Prior to joining Calix, Doug held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Atlantic Engineering
Calix has conducted a detailed study and analysis providing a comprehensive cost analysis comparing Node + 0 and PON architectures. This analysis revealed that FTTH is the best upgrade choice for low- and medium-density serving areas, with lower CAPEX and OPEX to that of a fiber deep solution. The best choice was less clear in high-density serving areas. Here, Node + 0 offers much lower rollout costs than FTTH.
But as operators move toward an IP based video offering, the right technology and architecture choice may be less obvious. A more unorthodox hybrid approach leveraging both Remote PHY and PON architectures may provide the most cost effective and efficient network evolutionary path. In this session, Calix will review the results of the PON and Node +0 study while providing additional details that illustrate a hybrid approach which can save operators anywhere from 45% - 65% vs. an “all in approach” to either technology.
Time: | Description: |
8 am | Seminar |
(2-2) Cyber & Securing a Cable Network

Speaker: Steve Harris, Executive Director, Technical Sales and L&D, SCTE/ISBE Association (view bio)
Bio:
Steve is a respected international subject matter expert and thought leader in telecommunications, high tech and information technology systems engineering with a proven track record of success, that has facilitated increased revenue for cable service providers, solved business challenges and enhanced the subscriber experience.
At SCTE·ISBE he is responsible for the tremendous growth of training content, boot camps and certification programs for over 100,000 telecommunication professionals in the areas of Fiber Deep, DAA, FTTx, DOCSIS, Wi-Fi, routing, switching, virtualization, IPv6, Ethernet, Business Services, MPEG, Linux, Headend, installation and outside plant/HFC. His signature skill is a dynamic, personable and enthusiastic approach to the delivery of highly complex technical content from the boots to suits for fast-paced companies.
Time: | Description: |
8 am | Seminar |
(2-3) Fusion Splicing – Do it Right the First Time

Speaker: Keith Foord, Product Manager, Greenlee Communications (view bio)
Bio:
Keith Foord is the Fiber-optic Product Manager at Greenlee Communications with over 30 years experience in the design of OTDR’s, OLTS’s and other fiber-optic instrumentation. OTDR technology expertise includes handheld and laboratory instruments that are conventional pulsed technology and millimeter resolution with >100dB dynamic range that employ photon-counting techniques.
Testing of the finished splice will include typical OTDR measurements and their interpretation.
Time: | Description: |
9 am | Seminar |
(2-4) FTTX - Alternative Design Options

Speaker: Bob Matthews, Principal - Field Application Engineering, CommScope (view bio)
Bio:
Bob Matthews joined CommScope Solutions in February 2010 as a Field Engineer supporting Wireless, Infrastructure and Intelligent systems. Bob has an education in Electronics (Telecom) and Management studies, and several years of experience working for Service Providers on Wireless, Wireline and Intelligent Infrastructure projects.
Time: | Description: |
9 am | Seminar |
(2-5) DOCSIS 3.1, Full Duplex DOCSIS (FDX) and distributed access architectures (DAA)

Speaker: Steve Harris, Executive Director, Technical Sales and L&D, SCTE/ISBE Association (view bio)
Bio:
Steve is a respected international subject matter expert and thought leader in telecommunications, high tech and information technology systems engineering with a proven track record of success, that has facilitated increased revenue for cable service providers, solved business challenges and enhanced the subscriber experience.
At SCTE·ISBE he is responsible for the tremendous growth of training content, boot camps and certification programs for over 100,000 telecommunication professionals in the areas of Fiber Deep, DAA, FTTx, DOCSIS, Wi-Fi, routing, switching, virtualization, IPv6, Ethernet, Business Services, MPEG, Linux, Headend, installation and outside plant/HFC. His signature skill is a dynamic, personable and enthusiastic approach to the delivery of highly complex technical content from the boots to suits for fast-paced companies.
Time: | Description: |
9 am | Seminar |
(2-6) 5G and the Future of Things

Speaker: François Marcotte, Subject Matter Expert, EXFO (view bio)
Bio:
François Marcotte is a senior engineer currently working for EXFO in Montreal, Canada. With more than 28 years in the telecommunication industry, François, a graduated electrical engineer from university of Montreal, began his career as an optical-RF engineer and has developed expertise on transport-ethernet testing over the years. He is a regular speaker in various seminars in North America.
This presentation will provide a market portrait and update on the 5G. The evolution of the wireless up to 5G. What is the 5G technology and what it offers. The 5G architectures, challenges and applications will be presented.
Time: | Description: |
10 am | Seminar |
(2-7) Cable's Role in the 5G Evolution

Speaker: Erik Gronvall, VP, Service Provider Strategy & Business Development, CommScope (view bio)
Bio:
Erik Gronvall leads product strategy, design and development for inside and outside plant connectivity solutions, and works with customers defining next generation.
Time: | Description: |
10 am | Seminar |
(2-8) Powering Broadband Wireless Access for Rural Canada

Speaker: Rob Moore, National Sales Manager, Alpha Technologies (view bio)
Bio:
To be provided.
BWA networks consist of a few tower-mounted radios that beam unobscured line-of-sight signals over unlicensed spectrum between the radio at the tower and a small antenna located at customer’s home. The towers usually connect back to the network with fiber, though microwave is an alternative. Because the towers are in rural areas, access to electricity can be problematic.
The BWA radio equipment can be either AC or DC powered. Powering solutions range from a simple UPS to a rectifier/battery combination to Remote Line Power (RLP), with RLP being the preference of the wireline service providers. This presentation provides a brief overview of the BWA market and network architecture. It discusses the different powering options that are available to both WISPs and service providers. The talk concludes with examples of different solutions deployed today.
Time: | Description: |
10 am | Seminar |
(2-9) Overcoming the Challenges of Troubleshooting FTTx Networks, from the Head-end to the Subscriber

Speaker: Tatianna Wawrzynski, Sales Application Specialist, AFL (view bio)
Bio:
Tatianna Wawrzynski is a sales applications specialist for the test and inspection division of AFL. She is a certified Fiber Optic Installer and Outside Plant Technician. A seasoned presenter in the industry, she regularly offers BICSI workshops and trainings on fiber optic equipment. She works with technicians from different industries and has helped troubleshoot problems in many environments.
The presenter will also review recommended tests by the industry and what network owners should expect from their contractors building their network. On the matter of troubleshooting, specialized methods will be reviewed and an overview of different techniques technicians should use will be presented.
Real life problems will be presented along with suggested solutions for both point-to-point and PON networks in greenfield and brownfield applications.
Finally, a live demonstration will be performed to showcase the topics discussed during the presentation.
Time: | Description: |
11 am | Panel |
(2-10) How can we Effectively Measure Sustainable Smart Cities?

Speaker: Moderator: Rob McCann, President, Clearcable Networks (view bio)
Bio:
Rob McCann is the President of Clearcable Networks. He works with service providers providing technology, integration, and business practices required to effectively operate voice, video, and data services. Rob is a board member of ICF Canada, was named CITA 2016 Supplier of the Year, and holds degrees in Mathematics and Economics.
Speaker: Christopher Emery, Technology Strategy, Rogers Communications (view bio & pic)
Bio:
To be supplied.
Speaker: Savio Lee, Business Lead - Digital Transformation, Ingram Micro (view bio & pic)
Bio:
To be supplied.
Time: | Description: |
11 am | Seminar |
(2-11) Building a remote green-field fibre network

Speaker: Balgovind Pande, Vice President, Atmacinta Inc. (view bio)
Bio:
Balgovind is an economist by training, and has worked on many telecommunications projects in northern and indigenous communities. Balgovind has led projects to: deploy Satellite networks and wireless last-mile solutions; create a cellular telephone company; and, deploy a green field fibre network, and create a new company to operate it.
We will provide a geo-economic context, followed by a look at the approach taken to build support and access funding for the project, the methodologies followed to finalize rights of way and permits, how key relationships were established and maintained, the challenges faced during construction and the importance of building strong local relationships, transitioning from construction to operations.
Time: | Description: |
11 am | Seminar |
(2-12) How to deploy 1GE to the home, to the suite, to the business...

Speaker: Gwen Amice, Subject Matter Expert (view bio)
Bio:
Gwenn Amice currently holds the position of Subject Matter Expert with EXFO, focusing on next generation optical networks, in charge of technical seminars, training, and support & technical advice to EXFO’s customers.
Mr. Amice holds a university degree in electrical engineering and industrial computing.
He is a member of the Broadband Forum for Americas Technology Committee.
Speaker: François Marcotte (view bio & pic)
Bio:
François Marcotte is a senior engineer currently working for EXFO in Montreal, Canada. With more than 28 years in the telecommunication industry, François, a graduated electrical engineer from university of Montreal, began his career as an optical-RF engineer and has developed expertise on transport-ethernet testing over the years. He is a regular speaker in various seminars in North America.
In this seminar we will provide guidance regarding the test and validation that should be performed during installation and activation to guarantee an excellent quality of service.
The two presenters will share with you their field experiences and expertise for each of the technologies namely: DOCSIS, DSL, Wireless and FTTx.
On the testing side: Simple tricks like connector inspection, and macrobend detection, can save you time and money but how will you prove to your customer without any doubt that the service delivered is 1000Mbps or more?
Time: | Description: |
1 pm | Workshop |
(2-13) Navigating MPO Waters: How to Inspect & Analyze MPO Fibers in Less than 12 seconds

Speaker: Gary Correia, Account Manager, Telonix Communications (view bio)
Bio:
Gary’s career in the Telecommunication began 17 years ago in Commissioning & Testing Field Services. In 2001 Gary held a Field Technician position for 3 years and progressing up into a sales role for a local contractor for the next 9 years, executing work for the local cable/wireless companies. In the past 5 years Gary moved into the Test & Measurement Equipment Sales currently with Telonix Communication as Product Manager covering Canada, notably with Viavi Solutions Inc as the Account Manager Ontario Region and has had great success in this market. Gary has been a member of the SCTE for 5 years
Speaker: Patrick Noel, Solution Sales Engineer, VIAVI Solutions (view bio & pic)
Bio:
Patrick has been involved in the telecom industry for 25 years, starting his career at Videotron in network engineering. For the past 18 years, Patrick’s key focus has been supporting service providers with technologies for test & measurement of their networks.
Industry’s fastest MPO inspection workflow
As MPO connectivity continues to grow in adoption, maintaining MPO end faces is more important than ever. Managing clean MPO connections requires systematic and proactive methods that many technicians may find troublesome, confusing and time-consuming. Sidewinder eliminates these challenges by fully automating every detail of the MPO inspection workflow to ensure fast and reliable results.
Automatic test results fibers in less than 12 seconds
Nothing comes close to the speed, reliability, and intuitive operation that Sidewinder delivers for MPO inspection and analysis. Simply insert it into the bulkhead, press a button, and the Sidewinder will provide automatic results for all 12 MPO fibers in fewer than 12 seconds! Eliminate hassles with manually adjusting controls to focus, scan, or count which fiber you are on and turn minutes into seconds for testing each connector.
Time: | Description: |
1 pm | Seminar |
(2-14) Small Cell Concealment

Speaker: Mike Johnson, Sr. Product Manager, Charles Industries (view bio)
Bio:
Mr. Johnson has more than 10 years of experience in the Telecommunications & OSP industry. He started his telecommunications career in 2009 with Charles designing OSP enclosures and has spent the last 4 years there as a Product Manager for CUBE Active Enclosures. He has played a major role in the development of Charles’ Universal Broadband Enclosures for Small Cell and other Wireless application