Worldwide, operators of all types are turning up an increasing number of passive optical networks. Whether they are telcos transitioning off their legacy DSL platforms, overbuilders trying to reach multiple dwelling units, cable operators targeting greenfield builds or, increasingly, service providers entering currently underserved rural markets, there is an explosion in new fiber build activities.
Given the timing to the market, these operators face a decision. Should they continue embracing the 1Gig (or 2.5Gig) GPON and EPON networks, or should they move to the newer 10Gig platforms – either 10G-EPON or XGS-PON? I was just recently talking to a small operator and was surprised to learn they were still building out with 1Gig PON platforms. Let s look at what might be involved in making such a decision, and why I believe 10Gig PON is the right choice.
Reflecting data demands seen during the pandemic, cable operator spending on upstream channel purchases climbed 96% in Q4 2020 versus 2019, according to fresh data from Jeff Heynen, VP, broadband access and home networking, at Dell Oro Group. By comparison, global spending on cable network downstream channel purchases climbed just 3% during the period.
For all of 2020, upstream channel purchases by cable operators rose 43%, while downstream channel purchases actually dipped 8%.
Heynen said those purchasing trends are a clear sign that operators are starting to push ahead with mid-split and high-split network upgrades that expand the amount of spectrum being dedicated to the upstream.
He also believes it s an indicator that cable operators are starting to add Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) capabilities to their hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks to help get a handle on the upstream pressure. OFDMA, an advanced and more efficient modulation scheme for
With little to no opportunities to grow the company through acquisitions of sizable cable operators, extending Charter Communications network through regular edge-outs in rural areas coupled with a wave of new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) commitments has emerged as the next best option. I think that rural build is like cable M&A, Chris Winfrey, Charter s chief financial officer, said Monday at the Deutsche Bank Media, Internet & Telecom Conference. You re essentially building a cable company here over several years from scratch, Winfrey said of the RDOF opportunity.
Charter expects to start some preliminary RDOF-related building this year, but does not expect it to have a material financial impact in 2021. But the engine will be up and running, and I think 2022 will be the first decent-sized build year, he added.
Also in today s EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone talks up open RAN; Deutsche Telekom teams up on electric vehicle charging tech; what s Welsh for your call is important to us ?
CityFibre is to raise hundreds of millions of pounds to help fund its ambitious fiber rollout program by selling a minority stake in the company to a new shareholder, according to a report on Sky News. The UK alternative network provider, says the report, has appointed two investment banks to seek out a third heavyweight investor to join its two existing stakeholders, Goldman Sachs-backed West Street Infrastructure Fund, and Antin Infrastructure Fund. Sky News sources say the process will get underway this week, and is expected to take several months. (See CityFibre to Raise £200M, Ramp Up FTTH Challenge to BT.)
Going to the M&A well a second time in 2021, DZS has acquired RIFT, a provider of network orchestration and automation software. DZS will now look to deploy the technology to a global installed base of some 20 million mobile and fixed broadband products.
RIFT and its open source RIFT.ware offering gives DZS an overarching software-defined network and software orchestration automaton tool that can be offered as a standalone product or in tandem with DZS s fixed and mobile networking products. RIFT will also help form the basis of DZS Cloud, a new portfolio/pillar that will also include AI and data analytics capabilities, and be offered alongside the company s historical focus on broadband and access transport products and its existing SDN operating system.