TFI Technology Conference Jan 26-27, 2023

The 18th TFI Technology Conference will be held in Austin on Thursday and Friday, January 26 & 27 — with the opening reception on Wednesday, January 25. We have a new location — Hyatt Place Austin Downtown.

Once again industry leaders and professionals will gather to share the latest trends and developments impacting communications and asset valuation. 

After two years online, we are pleased to be together with our friends again! But for those that can't make it to Austin, we'll have an online option as well.

As usual, we will cover developments in wireless communications, broadband and video, network technologies, and a range of cutting-edge technologies coming onto the market. We hope you’ll join your colleagues in 2023 in what promises to be another interesting and important event!

2023 Conference Keynotes

Wireless Keynote: Onward to 6G!

Jeffrey G. Andrews, Truchard Family Endowed Chair in Engineering Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. Director of 6G@UT

Dr. Andrew’s research is on the theory and development of wireless communication systems. His group at UT uses mathematical tools and machine learning techniques to model, analyze, optimize and create new wireless communication architectures and techniques. They are particularly focused on the underlying technologies that will be used in 6G cellular networks. Dr. Andrews has spoken several times before at our conference and is always a hit!

His group works closely with leading R&D groups in industry to develop these ideas and to transition the results to practice. The work is supported by Samsung, AT&T, Facebook, NVidia, Nokia, Qualcomm, Ericsson, and MIT Lincoln Laboratories, as well as the National Science Foundation, WNCG and 6G@UT.

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Broadband Keynote: What's Next for Cable, Fiber, and Fixed Wireless?

Jeff Heynen, Vice President, Broadband Access and Home Networking, Dell’Oro Group

Jeff Heynen joined Dell’Oro Group in 2018, and is responsible for the Broadband Access and Home Networking market research program. Mr. Heynen has expanded the Broadband Access and Home Networking areas to include fixed wireless CPE, virtual CCAP, Remote PHY, remote MACPHY, and DOCSIS 4.0 infrastructure. Mr. Heynen’s research and analysis has been widely cited in leading trade and business publications. Mr. Heynen is a frequent expert judge and invited speaker at industry conferences and events.

2023 Conference Sponsors 

Thank you to the sponsors:

2023 Sponsorships are still available: Contact TFI about Sponsorships

2023 Conference Schedule

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

6:15–7:15 pm – Pre-Conference Reception Meet & Greet – Hyatt Place Austin Downtown, Gallery

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023  Conference - Hyatt Place Austin Downtown, Meeting Place 2&3

9:00 am       Introductions and Welcome • Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI

9:15 am       TFI Industry Forecast Overview • Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI • Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

10:15 am      Break

10:30 am      Wireless Keynote: Onward to 6G! • Jeffrey G. Andrews, Ph.D., Truchard Family Endowed Chair in Engineering, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin and Director of 6G@UT

10:55 am       Q&A with Professor Andrews • Ruben Miranda, Kroll (Moderator)

11:30 am       Break

11:45 am      Wireless Industry Panel / Implications for Tax & Valuation • Iain Gillott, President, iGR (Moderator) • Gary Hunter, AT&T • Stephen Yergeau, Director, Property Taxes, T-Mobile

12:30 pm       Lunch Break –  Attendees are on their own for lunch

1:30 pm        Broadband Keynote: What's Next for Cable, Fiber, and Fixed Wireless? • Jeff Heynen, Vice President, Broadband Access and Home Networking, Dell’Oro Group

2:30 pm         Discussion and Q&A

2:45 pm         Break

3:00 pm        Broadband Industry Panel / Implications for Tax & Valuation • Jeffrey Binkley, Ryan (Moderator) • Christian Altenburger, Comcast • John Reed, Charter • Gary Hunter, AT&T

3:45 pm         Break

4:00 pm Broadband Progress Update • Jim Stegeman, CostQuest Associates

5:00 pm         U.S. Economic Outlook • Michael A. Sadler, Ph.D., Department of Economics and Department of Finance, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

5:30 pm         Day End

6:00 pm         Conference Reception (Flemings Restaurant)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2023 - Conference - Hyatt Place Austin Downtown Meeting Place 2&3

9:00 am         Communications Technology Update • August (Augie) Grant, Ph.D.,  Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of South Carolina; Co-Editor, Communications Technology Update and Fundamentals

10:00 am        Break

10:15 am        Banking on Broadband: New Visualization and Communication Technologies • Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D, President, TFI

11:15 am      Break

11: 30 am       Round Table - Future Directions • Moderator, Jeff Binkley, Principal, Ryan

12 :15 pm      The Last Word

12 :30 pm      Conference Ends

Registration Information:

To register, Click Here or on the red "Tickets" bar above.

In-Person - Hyatt Plaza Downtown Austin

• General Registration: Early bird rate $895 extended until 12/31/2022, then $995
• Assessor/Academic/Government Rate*: Early bird rate $80 - extended until 1/22/2023, then $95

Online Only - via Zoom

• General Registration: $245
• Assessor/Academic/Government Rate*: $0

*Special rate for assessors, government, or academia only.

[Substitution/Cancellation/Refunds/Inclement Weather Policy]

Start the year with the latest knowledge and insights on the key forces impacting your organization!

Venue: Hyatt Place Austin Downtown

Location/Accommodations: Hyatt Place Austin Downtown, 211 East 3rd Street, Austin, TX, 512-476-4440 (phone) or 512-476-4404 (fax). We have a limited block of guest rooms available at the special rate of $209 per night. (Click here to register for guest room)

The hotel is in walking distance to Austin's best live music venues and restaurants and near the Texas State Capitol, the University of Texas, and other popular Austin sites. This is a non-smoking facility with complimentary high-speed Internet and wireless access throughout the hotel. 

For more information about Austin, please visit Austin 360 or Austin Chamber of Commerce.

TFI Conference Team / Contacts

• Lawrence Vanston Conference Director, lvanston@tfi.com or (512) 415-5965
• Helen Mary Marek Conference Liaison, hmvmarek@tfi.com or (512) 914-8038
• Carrie Vanston Leadership Mindset Success, TFI Team Member, carrie@carrievanston.com
• John Vanston, Ph.D., Chairman, TFI
• Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

info@tfi.com • www.tfi.com • www.tfi-ctfg.com • leadership-mindset-success.com

What to Expect

Gain Background, Insights, and Forecasts:

• Wireless Communications, including 5G and 6G
• Broadband & Video, including Gigabit networks and OTT
• Network Technologies
• Cutting-edge technologies such as virtual and augmented reality

Stay Relevant and Timely:

• High level review of top communications trends
• Informative presentations on key technologies
• Illuminating discussions of current and emerging issues facing the communications industry
• Important insights on the impact of these changes on asset valuation
• Multiple opportunities to connect and reconnect with community and thought-leaders

You Should Attend If:

• You have a business or policy interest in the communications network's future, or
• You are involved with the valuation of communications assets, or
• You are impacted by changes in the telecom, wireless, and cable television networks, and
• You value learning, sharing, and collaborating with industry leaders and professionals

Past Attendees Include those from:

• Communications Policy
• Finance, Asset Valuation and Property Tax
• Strategic Forecasting
• Market Strategy
• Network Planning
• Legal and Regulatory
• Depreciation and Asset Lives
• New Technology Startups and Developers

What Attendees Say"

"Great program... information is timely and program ties together well. Good for attendees with various background and interests. I highly recommend it."  ―Jeffrey S. Binkley, Ryan

"...a unique learning experience to be had via the lectures and interaction with the audience and TFI." ―Robert G. Strong, Tax Director, AT&T

"Practical information from industry insiders provided me insight I haven't found anywhere else." ―Augie Grant, Professor, University of South Carolina

"Great conference as always! Too many excellent speakers to list. Particularly remember 5G presentation."―Dmitriy Matsyshen, Sr. Tax Manager, T-Mobile

"5 Stars! Informative sessions with dedicated speakers." ―Paul Tucker, Independent Appraiser

"Nice update on technology. ..."  ―Charles Burkhardt, Senior Consultant, CostQuest

"Great range of topics & speakers that were both fascinating and provocative."  ―Jim Dombrowski, Property Tax Manager, Verizon

"Based on TFI's knowledge, skills and experience, I strongly recommend this conference to anyone who is involved in assessing telecommunications equipment or anyone involved with telecommunications in some form or another."  ―Raul Reyes, Business Personal Property Supervisor, Dallas Central Appraisal District

"...Proper valuation must take into account technological externalities that will diminish the value of the existing assets. The technological innovations are having a such an impact that keeping up is essential. This conference keeps me up to date." ―Roger Grabowski, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps

"Great conference for all of those who want an update on trends in the communications industry and the technologies impacting it. As an academic, I found it especially valuable in providing me ideas of what I need to be looking out for in my own areas of interest.―Kim Houser, Business Law Professor, Washington State University

Previous TFI Technology Conferences:

Please visit our TFI Technology Conference pages on our TFI-CTFG site for Schedule, Slides, Videos, and Bios from previous TFI conferences. (In red menu box at top.)

Previous Attendees:

We hope you can join us at our 18th Annual TFI Technology Conference. Thursday & Friday, January 26-27, 2023. Reception, Wednesday, January 25. To register, Click Here or on the red "Tickets" bar above.