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Biographies

Steve Epstein Distinguished Engineer, Synamedia, Israel Steve has worked for the past 23 Years at NDS, Cisco and Synamedia as distinguished engineer and VP of technology as a Solution Architect, Technical Evangelist and Product manager. Steve owns over 40 patents in fields of video, cybersecurity, machine learning and analytics and is an expert in cybersecurity , DRM, Big Data, Conditional Access, machine learning, cloud computing, IP and broadcast television and Internet technologies. Steve has been the lead architect for some of the largest digital television systems including FOXTEL, Sky New Zealand, Astro and Sky Life in Korea and has worked on Satellite, Cable, terrestrial and OTT systems. Steve has lectured around the world on a multitude of technologies including at IBC, NAB, Broadcast Asia, European Data Science Summit and European Cybersecurity Conference. Steve has a MSEE from Columbia University and a BSEE Summa Cum Laude from Boston University.
Shizhu Long CTO, Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Corp, China Shizhu Long is a seasoned telecommunication expert who has been working in telecom industry for the last 30 years. He has comprehensive knowledge of telecommunications systems and equipment. His recent major R&D activities include developing carrier class IPTV system, working with CMCC to develop mobile phone backend service and information aggregation service. His latest research areas are broadband IP based advanced content delivery services and pertinent terminals. SHIZHU received his B.E. and M.E. from HuaZhong University of Science and Technology, Prior to joining UTStarcom Corp. to start his telecommunication R&D career in 1998, ShiZhu used to work in HuaZhong University of Science and Technology as an associate professor. Now he is CTO of Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Corporation, which is a broadband and set-top box terminal research, development and manufacture company.
Satoshi Miyaji Chairman, ITU-T SG9, General Manager, KDDI Corporation, Japan Dr. Miyaji has a long history of participating in the ITU-T SG9 (“television and sound transmission, and integrated broadband cable") almost for twenty (20) years as an expert of broadcasting and telecommunications particularly for cable television networks and services. He served as Vice Chairman of SG9 and Chairman of WP1/9 for eight (8) years in 2009 – 2016. At the WTSA-16 (General Assembly of ITU-T), he has been appointed as Chairman of SG9 for the Study Period 2017 – 2020. In KDDI, he is now responsible for development and deployment of entertainment-related business and services such as video streaming, music distribution, e-books, live concert, and so on.
Stefano Polidori Advisor, TSB, ITU Stefano is Advisor at the International Telecommunication Union and responsible for the technical secretariat of ITU-T Study Group 9 "Broadband cable and TV”. He is also responsible for the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) activities, including the Symposium on the Future Networked Car at the Geneva Motor Show. Stefano is the ITU representative to the European Multi Stakeholder Platform on ICT Standardization at the European Commission. After few years in the private sector, joined the ITU in 2004 covering various positions including Coordinator for ITU Kaleidoscope academic conference and Advisor for Study Group 11 "Signalling, protocols and test specifications". Stefano holds a Master in Electronic Engineering from the University of Rome, Italy and a Master of Science in mobile communication from Aalborg University, Denmark
Tatsuo Shibata Director, Japan Cable Laboratories Tatsuo Shibata is currently with Japan Cable Laboratories (JLabs), a non-profit organization comprised of Japanese cable operators and vendors, where he is involved in research, development, and standardization of new technologies. Before joining JLabs, he was with KDDI and KDDI R&D Labs, and developed technologies related to mobile TV and cable television. He was KDDI's focal point for KDDI Corporation during 1996-2004, and while overseeing the company's ITU-T activities, he served as a rapporteur of ITU-T TSAG.
Nigel Smith Special Advisor to the Chairman, Synamedia, UK Nigel Smith currently works for Synamedia as the Special Advisor to the Chairman. He has worked as an independent consultant advising technology manufacturers, service providers and financial institutions on the delivery and protection of broadband and broadcast video solutions. Prior to this, he was VP Strategy and System Product Management within Cisco's Service Provider, Video Technology Group. Previously, Nigel Smith was NDS Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) from June 2007 to August 2012, responsible for all corporate marketing activities at the company. Cisco acquired NDS in August 2012. He formerly held the position of Vice President of Broadband Internet for NDS, where he was responsible for developing and implementing the strategy of NDS’ IPTV business line. He has over 20 years of experience in the pay-TV market, covering satellite, cable and broadband. Previous to joining NDS in 1995, he held several roles within software companies in the area of advanced database development. During this time, he authored three packaged software products. He holds a degree in Computer Science from London University and a post-graduate degree in Software Engineering from Brunel University
Lidan Song Head of Operation & DTH Commercial Management, Synamedia, China Lidan Song, has been working in Video/Broadcast Industry since 1993, after she received her M.E. from Beijing Jiaotong University and B.S. from Shaanxi Normal University, mainly focusing on Media Production, Video Processing, Conditional Access, Digital Right Management, and Digital TV end-to-end system solutions, etc. She builds up her expertise and skill sets by acting various roles during the 26-year professional career, such as, Software Developer, Presales, Program Management, Product Management, Account Management etc.
Mingmin Wang Deputy Director, R&D Centre, Oriental Cable Network (OCN), China Mingmin Wang is an expert in communication network and media production/software for over 20 years. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Fudan University, M.E. and B.E. from Automation College of Shanghai University. She joined OCN in 2003, now she is acting her role as Deputy Director, R&D Centre, OCN, as well as General Manager of Shanghai Next Generation Radio and TV Network. Mingmin Wang has participated in many standards related work. She contributed the proposal document "Multiple Screen experience for Smart Cable Television use cases" to ITU- SG9. She and her team won many achievements, such as Science and Technology Progress Awards of SARFT and of Shanghai municipality. She has obtained seven patents.
Yupeng Xiong Vice-President, Access Network and Director of Access Network Product Management, Huawei, China Yupeng Xiong has accumulated 20 years experiences on fixed broadband and FTTx solutions. During the past 10 years, he was responsible for FTTx broadband access solution planning in Fixed Access Product Management Department.
Haifeng Yan Principal Engineer, Hisilicon (Shanghai) Technologies Co., Ltd. China Haifeng Yan is a software architect who has been working in this area for nearly 20 years. He mainly focuses in terminal software architecture and operating system. He graduated from Beijing University in 1999. Then he joined Huawei data communication department working in communication and operating system software for 6 years. In 2005, he joined Hisilicon, a sub company of Huawei. He has lead software architecture design for several chipsets in Hisilicon.
Wei Zhang GM of Terminal Business Division, Zhejiang Wasu Cable, China Wei Zhang received his M.E. from Nanjing University and B.E. from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. He has successively served in various Telecom and Radio/TV operators, accumulated rich experience and strong knowledge in both Telecommunications and Radio/TV. He has deep understanding on the regulations and policies in Broadcast arena and New Media Industry. He has been engaged different roles such as Network Engineering Design and Operation, Project Management, Strategic Planning and Product Management in several companies. At present, he is mainly responsible for technical management and product diversity R&D for Zhejiang Wasu Terminal Department, as well as the terminal side SW R&D management.
Sheng Zhifan CTO, Academy of Broadcasting Science, SAPPRFT, China Sheng Zhifan is the vice chairman of SG9. He works as CTO in Academy of Broadcasting Science, SAPPRFT. He owns eight years working experience in Standardization management for Chinese broadcasting industry as the director of Science, Technology and Standardization management of SARFT/SAPPRFT, and eight years working experience in Cable TV and Broadband Network with Verizon, Comcast and China cable networks as an engineering manager, senior manager and deputy CTO. Sheng Zhifan received the BS degree in Information Engineering in 1985 from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and received the MS degree in Electronics and Communication Systems in 1988 from Dalian University of Technology. Also he received the MS degree in Electrical Engineering in 1996 from Princeton University, and MBA in 2002 from University of Texas at Dallas. His expert areas includes cable network, conditional access, video system, and TV operating system.
James Zhou Senior Wireline Technology and Standardization Director Leading wireline access technology research and standardization effort including fiber, copper, coax cable and power line, etc. 20 years’ experience in wireline access technology and product