As broadband consumption grows and consumer expectations evolve, the cable industry is becoming increasingly reliant on Wi-Fi technology to support both business and residential customer needs. Along with massive device growth, this urgent demand requires increasingly complex test capabilities to support the needs of customers and communications service providers (CSPs).
To meet the evolving demand, Gavin Newman, who has built his career in Europe working on wireless engineering architecture, is working with the Kyrio team to deliver cutting edge testing solutions for emerging technology innovations, world-wide.
We talked with Gavin about his vision for Kyrio, the current trends he sees in the industry, and his experience in driving change and business improvement.
What are customers looking for in their broadband service?
End-users expect what we all expect: a broadband service and Wi-Fi that works reliably across the whole home. It sounds simple, but the keys to success in this space include keeping to the basics and not overcomplicating the process. These essential themes lie at the heart of success in the customer premise equipment (CPE) and Wi-Fi testing industry.
Continual improvement of Wi-Fi test engineering along with cutting edge clinical test architecture is essential because all our customers across the globe demand and need it. This growing demand will continue to evolve and expand in the future, and the industry needs test capabilities to support that.
Gavin Newman
“I’m a keen advocate of keeping to the basics and not “overcooking” the process. In the end, we are no different from our end customers. We just want Wi-Fi that works.”
What kinds of testing expertise will be needed to prepare for the future?
Testing has traditionally been focused exclusively on technical aspects. Technical testing is still critical today, but with the evolution of far more advanced customer usage and technology that interlocks with other areas – all of which affect the all-important customer experience – the focus of testing is shifting into a new space.
Customer experience testing looks at the impacts when all the technologies are mixed up together and what happens in the end-customer’s house. A happy customer is a profitable one, and the cost of churn is frightening as we all know. Kyrio recognizes this new challenge, and has been recruiting experienced talent around the world and investing in new platforms and tools to meet this new testing demand. The first focus has been to further expand the number of industry partners Kyrio works with, partners that have the same vision and are moving in the same direction. The arrival of Wi-Fi 7 also offers an opportunity to expand testing resources and capabilities. Both of these exciting initiatives are a work in progress, so watch this space!
How do you envision Kyrio as a leader in the testing industry?
It’s clear that Kyrio is very much one of the leaders in the industry already. In some segments they are “the” premier leader, but that’s not something to be taken for granted. The mission is to continue evolving with the technology and delivering the pioneering, challenging testing that sets them apart from other test organizations. Kyrio continues to follow the ethos of their parent company, Cablelabs®, in supporting members and the wider industry. Clients know Kyrio represents their testing needs and supports their many product development roadmaps, as well as the ongoing journey of “In Life” product testing. Kyrio is there supporting clients for the entire product life cycle across the technologies.
As Kyrio further invests in targeted areas and technologies, the market remains competitive and constant changes in the technology don’t allow for any complacency. As we Brits say, “You snooze, you lose!”
What are the biggest opportunities you see for your role at Kyrio?
Kyrio has always been seen as a leader in testing of DOCSIS®, Wi-Fi, PON and RAN networks. The opportunity to further develop this amazing credibility is one that I am really looking forward to.
With the imminent arrival of Wi-Fi 7, Kyrio is planning a considerable uplift in its testing capability to meet the exciting demands that Wi-Fi 7 presents to the industry. With all the groundbreaking changes Wi-Fi 7 delivers as a new Wi-Fi standard, Kyrio will be creating some exciting new test environments and test concepts to offer clients as the respected thought leader and established independent test partner to the world’s service providers. I very much look forward to being part of that change.
How has your experience in the industry prepared you to support Kyrio’s mission?
My extensive experience delivering many changes and overseeing impactful moments in the technology industry has established a foundation of technical knowledge, critical skills, and creative innovation. Rebuilding and creating the Liberty Global Techs Advanced Technical Lab was a significant career milestone. This project included co-designing and delivering the world’s first Wi-Fi Warehouse, a large Wi-Fi mass testing facility using cost-effective, “own-grown” pioneering designs.
“I often look back at those experiences with rose-tinted glasses, but it was incredibly hard work that involved creating, designing, and inventing on top of my day job!”
Creating the Impossible
Gavin’s experience in the cable industry dates back to 1992. He has worked primarily in the UK, as well as in additional markets including Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. These markets are both complex and highly competitive, and their wired-line networks are evolving to PON technologies at a rapid rate of progress. Most recently, Gavin served as Senior CPE Certification Director at Liberty Global Tech, where he specialized in technical and performance testing of Wi-Fi and CPE hardware including regulatory compliance, interoperability testing, CPE security, and automated testing.
Throughout his career, Gavin has remained laser-focused on using his technical know-how and passion to “create the impossible.” He has a reputation for driving change and business improvement as well as delivering and creating test labs to high standards. He is well known in the European markets and in the OEM forum, and has delivered 24+ CPE devices from proof of concept (POC) to launch.
Gavin lives in Oxford, UK with his wife, two older children, and the family cockapoo. His other passions include classic cars, DIY extensions and remodels.
We’re excited to benefit from Gavin’s expertise as we work together to deliver testing solutions that help shape the technology of tomorrow.
