#897 The Father of the Cable Modem on Broadband, AI & Hype with Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard

When he went to investors, nobody believed that the internet would be a big deal.

Today, we're talking to Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, the Father of the Cable Modem. We discuss how he invented broadband when no one believed home internet would succeed, why letting your product do the talking beats PowerPoint presentations, and how to distinguish between technology hype and delivery reality in the age of AI.

Thank you to Digital Ocean for sponsoring this episode. For simple cloud and powerful AI that’s built to scale, check out Digital Ocean here.

All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! 

To get a copy of Rouzbeh's book, The Accidental Network, buy it here on Amazon.

To check out Rouzbeh's YAS Foundation, visit their website here.

About Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard is an American engineer who is known within the broadband communications industry as "the father of the cable modem" for being the founder of LANCity, the first company to deliver a practical device. He also helped establish cable modem industry standards (DOCSIS) through his work with Cable Television Laboratories. Yassini is executive director of the University of New Hampshire Broadband Center Of Excellence, founder and board member of the YAS Foundation, and is the author of several books.

About the YAS Foundation

The YAS Foundation was Founded by Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, the Foundation’s charitable operations seek to promote culture, science, humanities and scholarships both locally and globally.

The YAS Foundation provides charitable contributions in support of causes that adhere to the Founders’ philanthropic goals. The contributions support 4 pillars of philanthropy:

Supporting various programs and activities at institutes of higher education either through one-time or multi-year grants

Providing educational scholarships and professorships to assist gifted students who are determined to make a positive impact on the world.

Awards to hospitals and medical research organizations undertaking cutting edge investigations to address conditions afflicting human health, with a particular focus on early detection of, and ultimately curing, cancer.

Sponsoring cultural events through museums and cultural centers devoted to promoting awareness of and appreciation of the arts with a particular emphasis on increasing understanding of Persian heritage.