How ISPs Used AI and Machine Learning to Manage the COVID-19 Internet Traffic Surge
Internet traffic during the pandemic continues to plateau since it experienced its largest surge in March and April, when more people were working from home than ever before and students turned to distance learning to finish off their school year. Now, with more people returning to work sites each month and students out of school for the summer, traffic has stabilized. However, there is no telling what the future holds as the pandemic continues on and as schools wrestle with reopening decisions for the fall. But no matter what happens, America's cable internet service providers are ready to
Cartoon Network's 'Stop Bullying: Speak Up' Campaign Hits 10-Year Milestone
This month, Cartoon Network celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Stop Bullying: Speak Up campaign. That's a decade of the network using its large influence, leverage, and reach to promote kindness and empathy to millions of kids across the country. When the campaign first launched in 2010, Cartoon Network's goal was to raise national awareness about the prevalence of bullying in America's schools. Since then, the campaign has evolved to meet the needs of the kids of the current generation, using creative storytelling, digital tools, and Cartoon Network's TV air space to capture their
The Cost of Replacing Old Wooden Poles is Slowing Down Broadband Deployment in Unserved Areas
Reliable fast internet is in high demand like never before. The robust networks powered by America's cable internet service providers continue to support millions of Americans through the COVID-19 pandemic as they turn to distance learning and remote work during this unprecedented time. But even as NCTA member companies reach millions more unserved Americans and invest billions in broadband network expansion and improvement each year, too many remain unconnected. Connectivity in these largely rural areas could be expedited by addressing obstacles that increase both the costs and time required
Pandemic or Not, 10G is Coming
When the COVID-19 pandemic first forced Americans into their homes beginning in March, millions of people turned to the internet to try to continue any sort of semblance of their lives. America's cable broadband providers were responsible for keeping their networks running at full capacity as internet traffic surged and more people than ever before connected online. Fortunately, the investment in upgrading and building out their networks over the past two decades is paying off during America's time of need, and even as we speak, cable ISPs are focused on the future and bringing 10G to U.S
And the Show Goes On
Some Hollywood movies and TV shows were recently given the green light to resume production, albeit with a series of new guidelines now in place, and it will certainly be interesting to see how America's favorite shows adapt to the COVID-19 environment. As the new TV world order kicks off, it's worth saluting those showrunners and TV production teams for their extraordinary work over the past few months in keeping their shows running. Old and nostalgic TV shows came back to the forefront. Zoom interviews were broadcast with talent to discuss their television shows. Children's programs hosted
How Broadband Enabled Americans to Cope with a Pandemic
The March – April period marked a historic moment in time for the U.S. when the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread fast, and internet usage proved critical to our country's safety and wellbeing. As pointed out last week, NCTA's COVID-19 internet dashboard, which has been tracking cable broadband network performance across the country every week, measured the largest surge in late March when millions of people were working from home at the same time that students began distance learning in lieu of school closures. But with the economy slowly reopening over the past couple of months and students
IBM's Role in Moving Americans Towards Digital Experiences
NCTA welcomed its newest member, IBM, earlier this year, and never has there been a more fitting time to partner with a world leading technology company than the present. From the explosion in technology that the media landscape has experienced over the past decade to the incredible online transformations taking place for businesses and consumers during the current pandemic, IBM has played a huge role in moving Americans towards digital experiences. In our latest '3 Questions' series, NCTA interviewed Chris Lederer, IBM Vice President & Industry Leader for Media & Entertainment, to learn more
How Internet Traffic Changed During the Pandemic
It's been three months since NCTA launched the industry's COVID-19 internet dashboard, which tracks cable broadband network performance every week. As America slowly reopens and many people are returning to work sites, after a huge surge in late March, internet traffic has levelled off in the last several weeks. But the tool continues to provide critical snapshots of how broadband is faring for millions of people across all 50 states during this unprecedented time. With no end in sight yet to the pandemic and as Americans learn to navigate the COVID-19 environment, it's worth looking back at
The People Who Power Our Lives
2020 has brought enormous and profound change to how Americans live their lives, and for many, that includes how much they rely on internet and television to continue working, learning, and communicating. As people become more accustomed to this new way of life in a COVID-19 environment, the cable industry's workforce continues to work innovatively and around the clock to keep Americans connected. But even pre-pandemic, the industry has long boasted a large and diverse workforce filling a wide variety of important roles to deliver technology and content to consumers all over America. From the
This Year, Pride Looks Different
Every June, cities and towns play host to annual pride celebrations commemorating the LGBTQ liberation movement, given that June is LGBTQ pride month. For many, the parades and festivals are a rare opportunity to freely be themselves and gather with a community they otherwise wouldn’t have back home. This year, as COVID-19 cancels large public events and a renewed spirit for racial and social justice has swept the U.S., many are taking this month to reflect and learn about experiences beyond their own. Some are reading books, some are attending virtual town halls, and others are watching TV