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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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.
Let The Product Do The Talking
- Do validate demand with paying customers early by selling prototypes or consulting before scaling.
- Let the product speak for itself instead of relying on PowerPoint to persuade buyers and refine features faster.
Scaling, Pricing, And The Exit Decision
- LandCity scaled from expensive prototypes to a $295 modem and sold to top MSOs before exiting to Bay Networks.
- Rouzbeh sold to provide customers and employees the stability of a larger vendor to continue industry rollout.
