Latest news with #BBF
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Connected Home, Subscriber Experience Innovations to be Featured in Fiber Connect 2025 Proof of Concept Demonstrations
Showcase of six new concepts will be on display at the world's largest fiber broadband event WASHINGTON, May 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today announced the lineup of Proof of Concept (PoC) demonstrations planned for Fiber Connect 2025, June 1-4, in Nashville, Tenn. FBA partners with the Broadband Forum to host the PoC Showcase, and this year six PoCs will feature collaborative innovations from 11 companies that have the power to transform the Connected Home and/or the broadband subscriber experience. Each PoC must leverage one of three BBF specifications for fiber access interoperability, ONT/Home Gateway manageability, and/or Wi-Fi performance. "The Proof of Concept Showcase at Fiber Connect 2025 continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the Connected Home and across the Wi-Fi user experience," said Evann Freeman, Fiber Broadband Association Board Member and Conference Committee Chair, and Vice President of Government & Community Relations at EPB of Chattanooga. "This year's demonstrations embody the collaborative spirit and technical innovation that define our industry, and we're proud to provide a platform where visionary companies can shape the future of fiber broadband applications." "The Broadband Forum-based Proof of Concept demonstrations underscore the power of open standards and interoperability in accelerating real-world innovation," said Ken Pyle, Director of Marketing at Broadband Forum. "From AI-powered Wi-Fi to next-gen service orchestration, these projects offer a glimpse into how BBF specifications are transforming broadband performance and subscriber satisfaction." Fiber Connect 2025 PoC projects can involve up to three companies, and at least one PoC participant must be a member of either FBA or BBF. Submissions must incorporate one of three BBF specifications: BBF.247 (OLT/ONT Interoperability), TR-369 (User Services Platform), and/or BBF.398 (Wi-Fi Performance). The list of 2025 Proof of Concept demonstrations include: AI-powered Wi-Fi Experience with Cross TR-069/TR-369 Interoperability – presented by AVSystem and Gemtek This PoC will demonstrate the potential of agentless interoperability of TR-369 and TR-069 standards in one solution aided by AI to revolutionize the home Wi-Fi experience, improving customer experience, reducing operational costs, and increasing customer loyalty. Maximizing Network Profitability through Open Access, Interoperability, Service Management, and Advanced Services – presented by Ciena This PoC will highlight a subscriber self-serve portal and cloud instance of multi-domain service orchestration to drive service automation from a marketplace of providers and services. It will also demonstrate the power of open standards to maximize choice and cloud-managed platforms for advanced Wi-Fi management and in-home experience control. Lighting Up the Future: Showcasing Fiber Interoperability & Smart Connectivity – presented by Incognito, Harmonic, Vecima, Innago This PoC showcases fiber interoperability and smart connectivity in fiber access, CPEs, and apps. It highlights service and network automation in the connected home, managing both next-gen and legacy devices to maximize FTTx investments and leave no device behind. Precision OT PON Extender – presented by Precision Optical Technologies (Belden) This PoC showcases a unique approach to low noise optical amplification that enables truly passive and extended reach PON links for distances up to 80km (for a 1x32 split). It demonstrates how this technology sits next to an OLT in the hub/central office and interoperates with off the shelf ONTs. Advancing Multi-Tenant, Multi-Access Wholesale Wireline and Wireless Connectivity – presented by Radisys Corporation, Zoom Technology Group This PoC will demonstrate End-to-End management of FTTx OLTs and ONTs, subscriber Wi-Fi management, and user experience of ONTs and Access Points. It presents a wholesale provisioning approach where a neutral-host operator can administrate multiple ISPs, for the potential to improve how communities could be serviced by broadband access. Precision Meets Efficiency: 3D Scanning and Digital Twin Technology for Enhanced Build Quality and Streamlined Documentation – presented by TKI Infrastructure Solutions This PoC will demonstrate how to capture a precise, measurable, and geographically accurate representation of field conditions to enhance network build quality, project predictability, and faster subcontractor invoicing. All PoCs will be presented in the Fiber Connect 2025 Expo Hall, June 2-3, and evaluated by leading industry analysts. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Most Innovative, Biggest Impact, and Game Changer. To learn more about Fiber Connect 2025, visit the conference website here or subscribe to FBA's Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated on conference news and more. About the Fiber Broadband Association The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policymakers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Press Contact: Christy BarbaranConnect2 Communications for the Fiber Broadband AssociationFBA@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jussie Smollett donates to Chicago charity in city settlement
Actor Jussie Smollett made a $50,000 payment to a local Chicago charity to settle the city's lawsuit against him, according to a Friday statement. The legal battle stemmed from Smollett's false police report in 2019 claiming he had been the victim of a hate crime. 'I've made a $50,000.00 donation to Building Brighter Futures (BBF) Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self-expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth,' Smollett said in a statement to The Hill. 'This organization was of my choosing and I'm comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience,' he added. The actor, who is Black and gay, previously alleged that two men jeered at him before pouring bleach onto his body and tying a rope around his neck on Jan. 29, 2019. The city said it spent at least $130,000 on overtime pay for investigators to research the reported incident before discovering Smollett had paid the two men $3,500 to carry out the attack. In his Friday statement, Smollett still claims he did not fabricate the assault allegations. 'Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, [city] officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear,' Smollett wrote. 'These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear … They have received neither,' he added. The actor said he was thankful to have the 'resources' to defend himself and committed to donating an additional $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, which seeks to address police violence in the city. Smollett's original charges for the crime were dropped after the former Cook County state attorney was accused of unethical interference in the case. The actor was prosecuted for a second time in 2021 and convicted on five of six counts, leading to a 150-day jail sentence and 30 months of probation. Smollett was detained for six days but was later vindicated by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2024, citing his previous agreement with Kim Foxx, the then-Cook County state attorney. 'Though I was exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court in a unanimous decision and the civil case is now dismissed, I'm aware that it will not change everyone's mind about me or the attack I experienced,' Smollett said Friday. 'However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent both in the eyes of God and of our criminal justice system,' he added. 'What I have to do now is move forward.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Jussie Smollett donates to Chicago charity in city settlement
Actor Jussie Smollett made a $50,000 payment to a local Chicago charity to settle the city's lawsuit against him, according to a Friday statement. The legal battle stemmed from Smollett's false police report in 2019 claiming he had been the victim of a hate crime. 'I've made a $50,000.00 donation to Building Brighter Futures (BBF) Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self-expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth,' Smollett said in a statement to The Hill. 'This organization was of my choosing and I'm comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience,' he added. The actor, who is Black and gay, previously alleged that two men jeered at him before pouring bleach onto his body and tying a rope around his neck on Jan. 29, 2019. The city said it spent at least $130,000 on overtime pay for investigators to research the reported incident before discovering Smollett had paid the two men $3,500 to carry out the attack. In his Friday statement, Smollett still claims he did not fabricate the assault allegations. 'Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, [c]ity officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear,' Smollett wrote. 'These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear….They have received neither,' he added. The actor said he was thankful to have the 'resources' to defend himself and committed to donating an additional $10,000 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center, which seeks to address police violence in the city. Smollett's original charges for the crime were dropped after the former Cook County state attorney was accused of unethical interference in the case. The actor was prosecuted for a second time in 2021 and convicted on five of six counts, leading to a 150-day jail sentence and 30 months of probation. Smollett was detained for six days but was later vindicated by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2024, citing his previous agreement with Kim Foxx, the Cook County state attorney. 'Though I was exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court in a unanimous decision and the civil case is now dismissed, I'm aware that it will not change everyone's mind about me or the attack I experienced,' Smollett said Friday. 'However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent both in the eyes of God and of our criminal justice system,' he added. 'What I have to do now is move forward.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Settling Lawsuit With The City Of Chicago
Actor and singer Jussie Smollett has addressed his lawsuit settlement with the City of Los Angeles. Reports revealed the "Empire" star had agreed to pay $50,000 to charity after the Chicago police wanted him to pay $130,000 to cover investigation costs. The situation emanated from 2019 when Smollett claimed to be a victim of a racist and homophobic attack. However, the case had many twists and turns, with the singer accused of lying to law enforcement, although he has always maintained his innocence. On Friday, Smollett took to his Instagram page to express his feelings after settling the lawsuit with the City of Chicago. In the first part of his statement, he firmly reiterated his long-standing claim of innocence and criticized the city's officials for allegedly pushing a false narrative. Smollett said, "Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself." He continued, "This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear. These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do." He added, "Today, it should be clear .... They have received neither." Smollett clarified that his $50,000 payment was voluntary and would benefit a nonprofit organization. He also stressed that it wasn't a payment to the City of Chicago. The actor explained, "The decision to settle the civil lawsuit was not the most difficult one to make. After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed." He continued, "Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family. Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support." Smollett revealed, "I've made a $50,000.00 direct donation to Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts (BBF), a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth." He explained further, "This organization was of my choosing and I'm comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience." In his closing remarks, Smollett referenced his exoneration and acknowledged the ongoing public skepticism. He pledged to continue his advocacy and creative work while also using his platform to uplift those who lack the means to defend themselves. "Though I was exonerated by the Illinois Supreme Court in a unanimous decision and the civil case will now be dismissed, I'm aware that it will not change everyone's mind about me or the attack I experienced," he said. "However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent in the eyes of God and our criminal justice system. What I have to do now is move forward. I will continue creating my art, fighting passionately for causes I hold dear and defending my integrity and family name with the truth." He also said, "Lastly, I'm grateful to have had the resources to defend myself. So many do not. They are backed into corners to take deals or confess to crimes they did not actually commit. In their honor, I am donating an additional $10,000.00 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center who provides resources to communities healing from the violence of the Chicago Police Department. " "The Skinny" star added, "To anyone who has had to prove they have in fact been violated, you know how difficult this can be to navigate. I stand with and for you." He concluded, "To everyone who has supported me, thank you. Your prayers and belief in me mean more than words can properly express. I will never take it lightly and will never forget. Onward." In January 2019, Jussie Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was assaulted in a hate crime involving racial and homophobic slurs. He was treated at the hospital and released the same day. A police investigation later concluded that Smollett had orchestrated the attack by paying two brothers, who were acquaintances, to stage the incident. A grand jury indicted Smollett for filing a false police report. However, in March 2019, the charges were dropped after he agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond and perform 16 hours of community service. The City of Chicago later sued him to recover over $130,000 in investigative costs. In response, Smollett filed a countersuit claiming reputational damage and maintaining his innocence. Due to public backlash and allegations of prosecutorial leniency, a special prosecutor re-investigated the case. In 2020, Smollett was indicted again on six counts of felony disorderly conduct. He stood trial in late 2021 and was found guilty on five counts. In March 2022, he received a sentence of 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and was ordered to pay over $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine. Smollett appealed the conviction, arguing it violated his constitutional protections since he had already fulfilled an informal agreement in 2019. Though lower courts upheld the verdict, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed his conviction on November 21, 2024, ruling that retrying him breached his due process rights.
Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
BBF annual golf event to raise funds for autism
The first British Business Forum (BBF) annual golf event will be conducted in partnership with the Milly's Golf Society to raise funds for autistic children under the Oman Autism Society on Friday May 23rd at the La Vie Golf Course at the Muscat Hills, according to the organisers. 'We have invited players from BBF groups around the Gulf and this is the first time that the BBF has ventured into this territory. The event is also very beneficial as it highlights Oman as a golfing destination,' said Mitul Patel, BBF Treasurer, who is organising this event. There will be 150 players largely from corporates, 50 spectators from the BBF and 25 sponsors in support of the Oman Autism Society and the awards ceremony will be between 6 and 6.30 pm, followed by post event networking and dinner. The British Business Forum, established over 25 years ago, primarily for British businesses and community in Oman under the auspices of the British Embassy with monthly meetings and other events, has been organising events of networking as well as art and sports sectors. Similar groups have been formed throughout the GCC countries with similar activities. 'With a strong social media presence and a post-golf networking event, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with professionals and support a great cause and entry to the event is free.' One can register their interest with the BBF by registering their name, company name, Whatsapp number, preferred tee time, whether am or pm. La Vie Golf Course - Muscat Al Mouj Golf, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, has organised the annual Golf Fore Autism Corporate Charity Golf Day, empowered to raise awareness about autism in the Sultanate of Oman last year. The Golf Fore Autism Corporate Charity Golf Day has grown every year since inception and this year raised a sum of RO 12,700 for the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Disability to help provide educational initiatives on autism in Muscat.
