Lunch & Learn: 5G lightning talks

Groundbreaking 5G technology will transform the landscape for automation, data processing and reliability in Austin. How is our community preparing for this connected future that will fuel innovation and smart city initiatives?

Join Austin Tech Alliance, AT&T, Crown Castle, City of Austin, LOGIX and the Wireless Networking and Communications Group at UT for a lunchtime event featuring lightning talks followed by Q&A. We’ll discuss the opportunities and hurdles associated this next wave of wireless technology.

Our speakers include:

Dave Wolter, AVP – Radio Technology & Strategy for AT&T Labs

Rondella Hawkins, City of Austin. Rondella has more than 25 years of experience in local government. Her office has direct responsibility over utility rights-of-way franchise agreements and license agreements with telecommunications and wireless providers, and she serves as the city’s single point of contact for the Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber projects and the wireless small cell deployment program by private providers. She is responsible for implementing the city’s Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan, ensuring that all Austin residents have the information technology capacity needed for civic and cultural participation, employment and access to essential services.

Mark Reudink, Vice President Product Development. Mark Reudink is currently Vice President of Product Development at Crown Castle and is responsible for defining business initiatives; evaluating emerging technologies; and bringing to market solutions that leverage Crown Castle’s tower, fiber and small cell assets. Prior to joining Crown Castle, Mark has held leadership roles in Engineering and Operations with major service providers and several startups. Mark holds a BS in Engineering-Physics from Pacific Luther University and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Oregon State University. He has been granted 16 patents and has authored over 20 technical papers and presentations.

Shane Schilling, Chief Technology Officer – Shane joined LOGIX as CTO, in June 2016 with Astra Capital’s acquisition. He is responsible for oversight and management of LOGIX’s Network and IT systems delivering voice and data services. Shane has over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications and cable industries, with extensive knowledge in operations and engineering. Before joining LOGIX’s, Shane was responsible for network engineering and services at both Grande Communications and Atlantic Broadband, operating their voice, video and data networks.

Dr. Jeff Andrews, Cockrell Family Endowed Chair in Engineering, Department of ECE, Wireless Networking and Communications Group. My research is on the theory and development of wireless communication systems. We use mathematical tools and machine learning techniques to model, analyze, optimize and create new wireless communication architectures and techniques.

To stay up to date on 5G connectivity in Texas, visit texas5galliance.com. The Texas 5G Alliance was formed to advocate for the connectivity of the future. Its mission is to educate Texans on the exciting possibilities of 5G technology and the infrastructure that will be required to meet the demands of smart cities. The Texas 5G Alliance is a coalition of stakeholders that are unified behind the vision for a connected future in Texas.