REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
depending on OMCI, this presents even more complexities for operators. Te complexity of today’s networks is already
overwhelming, and this will only increase as more technologies, nodes and devices are introduced into the mix and end-user demands continue to escalate. To support this new era, networks must become automated to overcome these complexities to increase network performance and efficiency. If operators want to capitalise on the opportunities 5G, IoT and ultra-high definition (UHD) bring, their networks must become intelligent. To do so, they must be automated.
Embracing automation If operators are to scale their networks successfully, their network architecture must evolve to become more agile, flexible and efficient. As a direct result, operators are turning to
cloud technologies, including soſtware-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualisation (NFV) to support this transition and realign their business models. Te introduction of these technologies into the broadband network is already enabling operators to migrate their key functions and enable the co-existence of both physical and virtual elements, and the process of transformation is just beginning. SDN/NFV transformation will significantly reduce the time taken to provision each piece of hardware into the network and will eliminate the need for operators to visit customer premises to physically install the equipment. Tis, in turn, will facilitate agile deployment
of new customised, distributed broadband services and applications, enabling new revenues and provider differentiation, while managing operational expenditure, both in the access network and single and multi-tenant residential and business locations. By moving their critical functions to the cloud, operators will also be able to improve management of their networks and multi-vendor equipment within it. When deployed in an SDN environment,
NFV can enable full-service automation to allow greater network efficiency and automated service delivery environments, which opens up the possibility of new customer self-service use cases. Tis, in combination with the deployment
of next-generation fibre, will be a key enabler for operators on their journey to network automation, by accelerating time-to-market of new services, which will maximise customer satisfaction – all while reducing total cost of ownership.
Working together Broadband Forum is addressing how the key benefits of virtualisation can be brought to
Fibre Yearbook 2020
The complexity of today’s networks is already overwhelming “
Automation is vital to the success of 5G, IoT and digitalisation as a whole, and requires operators to take a new approach when it comes to their networks”
network operator environments, including via the virtualisation of OMCI techniques. Trough this work, we are defining how
the virtualised ONUs delivered from a single OLT can be managed by multiple operators. As part of this initiative, the Broadband Forum
aims to achieve interoperability by standardising the Northbound Interface (NBI) and Southbound Interface (SBI) of the virtual (vOMCI) function. By disaggregating the vOMCI function, service agility can be increased so that new capabilities can be introduced into service providers’ networks at a faster rate than if the function remained within the OLT. Tis is extremely beneficial for service providers that use ONUs and OLTs from different vendors, and it opens up further opportunities for multi-vendor deployments. Te solution can also be deployed in multiple
scenarios, including the Cloud Central Office (CloudCo) framework and fixed access network sharing (Fans). Broadband Forum’s flagship CloudCo project uses SDN and NFV to bring cloud capabilities to virtualisation. CloudCo is an open interface and is a scalable and dynamic network, designed to improve flow control and
enhance functional flexibility. Te framework can be accessed through Northbound API, allowing operators and third parties to consume its functionality, at the same time hiding how this functionality is achieved from the API customer. While it can disaggregate and redefine some of
the functional pieces, the project addresses some of the major challenges the central office faces, such as issues with migration, how new and old technologies can co-exist, and how to get virtual and cloud infrastructure into the central office in the first place. Te project is another example of the work that
we are driving to enable the vendor community to build systems for the future and ensure that the new era of broadband is realised.
Looking ahead Te momentum behind vOMCI is continuing to build across the wider industry as operators look for ways to automate and increase efficiency and the performance of their networks. By bringing the benefits of NFV and SDN to operators’ existing networks, it means they will have the ability to access on-board multi-vendor ONUs quickly and efficiently, reducing complexities and costs. As a result, operators will be able to reap
the benefits of a fully automated network, empowering them to offer new services to their customers within the home. Tis not only removes the headaches of today’s fixed network operators, but enables them to launch new and innovative business models – positioning them to meet the ever-increasing demands of their customers and generate new revenues. n
Robin Mersh is CEO at the Broadband Forum 15
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