The existence of two similarly named professional broadband societies - the U.S.-based SCTE and the UK-based SCTE - has long caused confusion in the industry, complicated by the fact that the two organizations have worked together more and less closely over the years. Now they're moving to clarify things.
The American SCTE - the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers - and the British SCTE - the Society for Broadband Professionals - have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to address marketplace confusion between the two brands, and lay the foundation for a longer term relationship between them.
The Brit version is the older of the two SCTEs, having been formed in 1945, whereas the American version got its start in 1969. Both focus on training, certification and standards, though to somewhat different degrees.
Working together, the two societies intend to increase the quality of training for the cable broadband community worldwide. The U.S. SCTE operates globally via the International Society of Broadband Experts (ISBE). The British SCTE operates globally and conducts training through Broadband Training Limited (BTL).
"Our two societies share a common goal of improving engineering standards and skills throughout our industry," said Michael Thornton, president, Society for Broadband Professionals. "Eliminating confusion between our brands is the first step towards global collaboration that can help the industry to maintain - and even increase - its competitive edge."
"The rapid advance of technology is spawning the availability of new products and services that are changing the face of communication," said Mark Dzuban, president and CEO, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers. "The intent of our two organizations is to ensure that cable and broadband operators and technology partners have access to the training resources they need to make the most of those opportunities."