@fibresystemsmag |
www.fibre-systems.com
FEATURE CABLE NETWORKS
thinks it will be a small, incremental uptake rather than sweeping upgrades to the whole network. ‘We are also seeing some adoption of PON by Time Warner and also possibly by Comcast, but these are just rumours and I cannot substantiate that for you,’ she said. Alcatel-Lucent’s Els Baert stressed that
spending the money on upgrading the HFC network may be a short-sighted endeavour that will only increase total investment in the long run. She said: ‘If you are upgrading your entire network to DOCSIS 3.1 and not building any fibre, you are making a huge investment, while not really investing in the future.’ However, Rice points out that DOCSIS 3.1 can
be rolled out in a way that is compatible with a FTTH strategy. ‘HFC networks are frequently segmented and managed, resulting in fibre moving deeper into the network. Tis ongoing network evolution is complementary to an ultimate move to FTTH.’ DOCSIS equipment can be deployed remotely in the network over packet-based fibre-optic links, resulting in what’s called a distributed CMTS architecture – this is analogous to a fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) or fibre-to-the-distribution-point (FTTdP) type approach used by telecom operators today.
Last year, CableLabs completed C-DOCSIS, a
modification of the cable platform that was originally developed for China’s high-density multi-dwelling building environment, but now looks as though it could have much wider appeal. C-DOCSIS is designed as a low-cost option for fibre-deep networks that rely on EPON or GPON to the building, then distribute services over coaxial cable via the in-building network. Tree versions of the architectures are defined, which differ in how much of the DOCSIS functionality is pushed out to the remote node. CableLabs and the cable equipment vendors are also developing different architectural approaches to support a more gradual transition towards FTTH.
Complex choices Over the last couple of years, the number of upgrade options that will allow cable operators to reach gigabit speeds has multiplied dramatically. Cable operators now have a large toolset that they can use to help them to offer the latest services and fend off competition from fibre network providers, but the options they choose will depend hugely on the country or region where they are located and their business model as well as the level of competition. ‘Cable operators have
plenty of choices, the real issue is the cost,’ commented Kunstler. One of the reasons that cable network providers
are looking at FTTH-style deployments and PON technology is that they are uncertain about the future. Upgrading to networks DOCSIS 3.1 requires equipment both in the network and the customer premises to be upgraded, and network operators have to invest without assurances that the technology will remain competitive in the longer term. Kunstler described the dilemma that cable
operators face. ‘How do you know what your subscriber is going to want in the near future?’ she asked. ‘One way to look at it is if you are going to make an upgrade, you want it to be significant enough that you don’t have to go back and touch the cabling – whether it is fibre or HFC or copper – for many, many years.‘ Calix’s Burke summed it up: ‘Over the course of
time all service providers are moving to fibre, and then they will leverage wireless over their last few feet to enable mobility. But all these steps in between are a matter of strategic options. How quickly you get there is a matter of weighing what’s important to you and what’s necessary in your markets.’l
9 - 11 June 2015 EXHIBITION & CONGRESS
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