Welcome To Planet Broadband

An Evolution Of Information Accessibility Through Research, Innovation And Philanthropy

The Story of Planet Broadband

Planet Broadband YAS Foundation

In 2003, Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini authored “Planet Broadband”, a book in which he uses his four decades of broadband leadership to explain that the ultimate experience is enhanced by having ubiquitous broadband connectivity for everyone around the world. Today, broadband is recognized as a “must have” in the same context as electricity and water. But this was not always the case and Planet Broadband explains the origins of the information economy and the role that broadband has played to serve as the platform for today’s Gig economy. Beginning with the invention of the cable modem, in which Dr. Yassini had the major role, broadband has served as the enabling platform for today’s digital world economy, which of course entails social networking, online shopping, digital healthcare, smart cities and the autonomous driverless cars. All now are a part of today’s gig economy. As the 21st Century embraces the information age, we are enjoying the innovation, commerce, economic growth, and quality of life that Planet Broadband predicted.

Four Pillars of Philanthropy

Inspired by the profound contributions of global citizens to humanity over the course of 3000 years, Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini’s YAS Foundation supports 4 pillars of philanthropy. These categories represent a collective investment of time and financial resources in the inherent potential of knowledge, the core element in nurturing, strengthening and cultivating future generations of global citizens who engender the mindset and aptitude to carry on the legacy of influencing the profound contributions which elevate the betterment of a global humanity.

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Broadband Fuels Economic Growth

American research has long been the engine for the growth of our nation’s gross domestic product. The YAS Research arm is 40 years old and continues its mission through the University of New Hampshire’s Broadband Center of Excellence (BCOE). That organization is an interdisciplinary academy designed to establish UNH as a global leader in maximizing the effectiveness of broadband technologies on commerce, innovation, competitiveness and quality of life.

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Empowering the Broadband Dream

The American dream has been empowered by the entrepreneurial spirit of innovation through business start-ups and a commitment to developing the next great thing. As one of the leading advocates of that spirit, Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini has been recognized as a serial entrepreneur in advanced technology since 1987. Rouzbeh and his distinguished team members have been instrumental in creating the broadband internet for global citizens. As such, his LANcity team and YAS Broadband Ventures have been engaged in strategic investments in several start-ups.

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Notable News And Articles

Yassini Leads Successful IRYStec M&A

In April 2020 after a nearly 7 month effort, in the midst of a global pandemic, considerable market meltdown and decline, Dr. Yassini finalized the strategic merger and acquisition of IRYStec by Faurecia, a global leader in automotive technology companies based in France.

A Message to WVU 2020 Grads

West Virginia University Statler College Alumnus, Rouzbeh Yassini, Ph.D. wrote a compelling message to 2020 graduates as they attended their virtual graduation ceremony urging students to take action during this unprecedented opportunity to simultaneously impact the way we live and the way we work as we move forward.

Honoring Wilt Hildenbrand Jr.

The YAS Foundation, founded by Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini, makes the initial donation to scholarship fund to honor his longtime friend and colleague Wilt Hildenbrand Jr. known by Cable Telecommunications Industry as a technology pioneer and industry legend.

HALL OF FAME 2019

Four names have been added to the Hall of Fame this year and Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini tops the list.

Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini’s life work in the field of advancing telecommunications is once again recognized as pioneering and fundamental to the rapid advancement of the telecommunications industry.

WE'VE CREATED A POWERFUL TECHNOLOGY.

It's a magic carpet that enables people to ride and to move around... except some people cannot get on the carpet.

“It’s every citizen’s right. Not on the basis of subsidization or social welfare…that’s not the point.”

Empowered |Enabled | Available | Affordable

Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini
Dr. Rouzbeh YassiniTitle
Cable’s Modem Man Looks Back. And Ahead.
Cable’s Modem Man Looks Back. And Ahead.
02/16/2018 by Stewart Schley

Pioneering Tech Inventor
Committed To Ubiquitous Broadband Connectivity For All

More than 30 years ago Dr.Rouzbeh Yassini, the CEO of a then unheralded tech company named LANcity, began leading a 13-person team that worked tirelessly to develop the first-ever cable modem. Their pioneering invention would lead to cable’s historic DOCSIS specifications and would ultimately usher in the modern global broadband era and a multi-billion-dollar broadband industry.

Dr. Yassini has long been driven by his passionate vision to bring affordable broadband to all, regardless of their economic status. In his view, it’s every citizen’s right to be empowered and enabled by the essential connectivity of broadband.

The potential for broadband to advance medical technologies, intelligent cities, Smart Campuses, telemedicine, connected cars and highways is vast given our strengths in innovation, creative problem solving and initiative.

In 2008, Dr. Yassini launched the Yassini Broadband Knowledge Center in Boston, offering research grants and facilities to investigate fresh ideas in broadband technology. These programs were transferred to UNH through the Broadband Center of Excellence in 2012, where Dr. Yassini served as Executive Director.

Of primary importance to realizing his continuing vision and one of the objectives of the UNH BCOE, is to create a much needed broadband era of funding for the research to empower this country’s world leadership in broadband innovation.

Dr. Yassini holds an Honorary Ph.D. in Science and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University; an Honorary Ph.D. from Merrimack College; and an equivalent MBA from General Electric’s Financial Management Program. Dr. Yassini is a member of the Lane Department Academy and the West Virginia University Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Newsletters

Newsletters by Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini for the UNH Broadband Center of Excellence

Microsoft Bridges The Digital Divide

Dec 1, 2018 |

BCoE commends Microsoft in its initiative to bridge the digital divide, not just in words but also in action. We should expect a lot more product in 2019 that will [...]

Publications

Advancement Of Broadband | Current News

Links to Articles

Historic Archive of Articles and Documents

Humanity

Good Thoughts, Good Words And Good Deeds Of The People Of The World

Global collaboration for global innovation

Jun 2, 2020 |

Over the last 10,000 years, innovation has always been the driving force in advancing civilization. Today we face a challenge that calls upon our best global innovators business leaders, educators, and every human being to [...]

Nowruz the Persian New Year

Mar 24, 2020 |

In 2010, the UN General Assembly recognized March 21st as the International Day of Nowruz and in 2016, Nowruz was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity [...]

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