Modern CTO The Father of the Cable Modem on Broadband, AI & Hype with Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard
Nov 24, 2025
Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, known as the 'Father of the Cable Modem,' revolutionized broadband amid skepticism about the internet's future. He shares how tangible product testing outperforms PowerPoint hype and discusses the evolution of cable broadband and its vital role in today's AI landscape. Rouzbeh touches on the importance of collaboration in the cable industry, the economic impact of broadband, and the need for honesty in technology solutions. He also emphasizes learning from failures and fostering trust in leadership.
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How He Became 'Father Of The Cable Modem'
- Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard earned the title 'Father of the Cable Modem' after driving industry interoperability and a global standardization effort.
- He credits magazine editor Roger Brown for publicizing the work that shifted cable toward broadband.
From LandCity Prototype To DOCSIS Standard
- LandCity led early proprietary cable modem development and contributed key MAC protocol IP before DOCSIS standardization.
- Rouzbeh coordinated interoperability among vendors to form DOCSIS from multiple companies' tech.
Candy, Home Cooking And Two-Shift Culture
- Rouzbeh used gummy bears and M&Ms plus homemade food to keep small-team morale and support night shifts.
- Those informal practices helped extend working hours affordably and bonded employees and their families.
