Events
CableLabs Winter Conference: Powering Connections and Collaboration This Month in Orlando
Key Points
- Winter Conference is designed for CableLabs members and the NDA vendor community to expand their knowledge, build meaningful connections and discover the technology advancements transforming the industry.
- Sessions will cover topics including AI, Wi-Fi, seamless connectivity, optics and DOCSIS® technology — as well as an all-new Technology Vision for the industry.
Are you ready to maximize your connections and unlock opportunities for collaboration? Join us at CableLabs Winter Conference — an exclusive event bringing together industry experts and thought leaders to foster progressive dialogue and help shape the future of broadband.
This private, intimate gathering is a unique opportunity for our members and the NDA vendor community to expand knowledge, network with peers and discover the technology advancements transforming the industry.
CableLabs’ much anticipated and most requested event is back in Orlando, Florida, from March 25–28, 2024. Registration is open for members through March 20, and on-site registration will be available at the conference.
Voices of the Industry
Craig Moffett, industry analyst and Senior Managing Director of MoffettNathanson, will set the scene with his perspective on the current state of the industry as well as emerging trends and opportunities.
Later, industry executives Ron McKenzie of Rogers Communications, Elad Nafshi of Comcast Cable and Gary Koerper of Charter Communications will discuss the industry’s new and evolving Technology Vision in a strategic, forward-thinking session led by CableLabs’ SVP and CTO, Mark Bridges. This new vision will foster more robust, efficient and sustainable industry ecosystems.
Among the other featured Winter Conference speakers are Victor Esposito, CTO at Ritter Communications, who will discuss FTTH and PON strategies, and Dan Rice, Vice President of Access Network Engineering at Comcast Communications. He will participate in a panel exploring the most pressing topics around network platform evolution.
A Spotlight on Strategy
A series of all-new strategy sessions are planned for members to exchange ideas and practical insights on Thursday, March 28. A Broadband Usage and Demand Forecasting session, which will include breakfast that morning, will kick off the day — covering the evolution of network demand and its impact on future technology and capacity planning.
The breakfast will be followed by deep-dive sessions on seamless connectivity strategies using mmWave spectrum and Low-Earth-Orbit Satellite technologies, and the market dynamics and economics of FWA and FTTH. Members must be registered for Winter Conference to attend these strategy sessions.
Captivating Content
Winter Conference is packed with insights and inspiration. Just some of the additional conference session topics include:
AI and Autonomous Networks
- Learn about the transformative effects of ongoing AI endeavors and discuss how the industry can unite to create a more interconnected and intelligent network ecosystem.
FTTH and PON
- Discuss challenges to FTTH deployment, accelerating network deployment, and the modernization and virtualization of PON.
- Explore the future of PON — including emerging technologies such as 25G, 50G and 100G PON, quality-based access networks, seamless connectivity and reliability.
Seamless Connectivity
- Get a Wall Street expert’s view on how telcos are positioning themselves for seamless convergence.
- Explore the growth drivers and early use cases of Global Developer Services.
Wi-Fi
- Hear about the challenges of supporting the in-home Wi-Fi experience and strategies needed for quick and effective resolution of issues.
- Explore the strategic role of Wi-Fi in ensuring a high-quality, seamless in-home broadband experience, and gain insights into the latest developments.
And that’s not all! There’s so much more to discover and learn at Winter Conference.
Smaller Market Conference
At the Smaller Market Conference on Monday, March 25, small and mid-tier operators will have the opportunity to discuss the issues that are most important to them and their teams. This event is available for CableLabs members and NCTA guests. Registration for Smaller Market Conference is separate from Winter Conference, so please be sure to register for both if you are planning to attend.
Experience Winter Conference
Don’t miss the chance to take part in one of the highlights of the CableLabs events calendar. Expand your knowledge, build meaningful connections and stay at the forefront of industry advancements.
Visit the event website to register and plan your trip to CableLabs Winter Conference today.
Fiber
Future-Proofing Optical Networks: Streamlining Operations for a Smooth Transition to PON
Key Points
- Cable operators desire to simplify operations while they embrace passive optical networking (PON), but maintaining and managing PON solutions is proprietary, different from other access networks and requires new tooling.
- Some unification of fault and failure management is desirable for the industry so that operators can reduce the need to swivel chair between networks and tools, and vendors can simplify what they support in their products.
- PON, like other optical networks, relies on proprietary management tools based on, at times, telemetry that is proprietary or extended from any of a number of standards or specifications.
- From our experience with DOCSIS technology, by helping the industry align on operations, CableLabs knows this could all be better for everyone.
Imagine you’re a network engineer trying to manage the capacity of your DOCSIS networks — and suddenly you’re tasked with learning a whole new set of additional tools, techniques and terminologies to manage a new type of access network: a passive optical network (PON).
Now apply that complexity to the entire operations, the many involved technicians and all the necessary tools to accomplish the task. That’s the level of difficulty that many network operators face today as they begin to deploy PON technology for their access networks. Maintaining and managing PON solutions is largely proprietary — and very different from other access networks, requiring new tooling and expertise.
Needless to say, operators are in the midst of a massive transition. Instead of operating a few flavors of DOCSIS® networks, they’re managing an even broader set of technologies in their access networks. But these challenges don’t need to be as significant as they are.
By aligning the industry with certain architectures and identifying the key telemetry, building solutions that support use cases in ways that streamline operations, and reducing the burden of broad and overlapping options for vendors, we can shrink the time to market for improved technologies while streamlining our networks overall.
To help operators rise to the challenge, CableLabs is not only committing resources in this direction but has also established a working group called Optical Operations and Maintenance (OOM) that tackles the aforementioned complexities head-on.
The Optical Operations and Maintenance Working Group
The OOM working group has the scope of aligning fault and failure management of optical networks to streamline operations. The stated objectives of this program and working group are to
- maintenance that is proactive, reactive, predictive, and more
- attention to the physical layer and related functions
- telemetry alignment, solution development, and more
If you've been around the industry a bit, these objectives might seem familiar. Indeed, the OOM working group’s objective statement is very similar to that of CableLabs’ Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) working group. We could have called OOM “Optical PNM,” but we recognize that operators have goals beyond PNM when it comes to optical networks. Our charter for this work matches what operators and vendors say they need.
Although that scope seems large (and it is!), OOM is also focused on quickly turning around valuable results. The current course of the working group is like a peloton of bicycles in a race: In a cooperative effort, OOM will share outcomes with a parallel working group that addresses other fiber to the premises (FTTP) challenges since the working group is indeed addressing one FTTP challenge—common provisioning and management.
By working together, we accelerate the work of both groups. When it comes time for OOM to move to the next optical challenge, we'll have the momentum we need to push forward.
Creating Industry Alignment Through Standards and Specifications
Architecture is the foundation for operations in that network operations must manage the network components and systems. How the network does its job to provide service — and how it fails to do so — drives what needs to be managed and monitored. Fault and failure monitoring use cases drive the information needed, and therefore the network telemetry and other data that network operators need.
The architecture connects through the system failures and service impacts to the telemetry that supports the network operations use cases. Through a traceability approach, OOM identifies the necessary telemetry that addresses operator needs, choosing from existing standards and specifications when possible. The process we follow will create industry alignment on what is important in standards and specifications today. That methodology eases the burden for vendors.
Reducing complexity is a first alignment step, but we also want to drive consistency. That consistency will focus on current cable operations as well as the other networks they manage. By targeting PON options that align best with DOCSIS network advantages that operators enjoy today, we reduce the operations burden. It then becomes possible to agree on common tools, and thereby reduce the cost of network operations. By enabling the alignment of optical network management, we take that one step further.
We’ve already seen the potential of OOM's work in PON, but the next steps will present a whole new challenge. Introducing aligned use cases to connect the architecture to the telemetry can reduce the complexity of vendor developments and operator tools. We have to drive that advantage to other networks, too.
Looking Ahead to New Optical Challenges
Those next optical challenges I mentioned before? We’ll set our sights toward the core next: other forms of optical access, optical trunk systems such as point-to-point (P2P) coherent optics, Metro Optical Ethernet (MOE) and backhaul and ring and mesh systems, regional optical networks, backbone networks, and maybe beyond. One could say there is light at the end of the fiber!
If you see this as an opportunity to streamline your business in the optical world, engage with CableLabs on any of a number of our optical networking efforts and consider being a part of the OOM working group. We invite you to see the light!
DOCSIS
Combined DOCSIS 4.0 Interop Event Stresses Network Interoperability and Virtualization
Key Points
- The recent Interop•Labs event combined systems and components to demonstrate multi-supplier interoperability across the DOCSIS 4.0 ecosystem.
- Test scenarios included combining DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 4.0 equipment to demonstrate additional flexibility for operators.
- Interoperability is key to creating a healthier ecosystem because it enables more competition and operator scalability.
CableLabs and Kyrio hosted a combined DOCSIS® 4.0 technology and Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) Interop•Labs event February 12–15 at our headquarters in Louisville, Colorado. This was the first combined interop between CableLabs and its subsidiary, and the involved suppliers and operators made it a success.
At this Interop•Labs event, the exercises included both DOCSIS 4.0 cable modems and Remote PHY equipment, including virtualized cores and Remote PHY Devices (RPDs) that support DOCSIS 4.0 technology. During the week, mixing and matching of systems and components demonstrated multi-supplier interoperability across the DOCSIS 4.0 ecosystem.
Interop Takeaways
Casa Systems, CommScope and Harmonic brought DOCSIS 4.0 cores to the interop, and Casa Systems, Cisco, CommScope, DCT-DELTA, Harmonic, Teleste and Vecima brought RPDs that offered a mix of DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 4.0 technologies. Arcadyan, MaxLinear and Ubee Interactive showcased DOCSIS 4.0 modems. Rohde & Schwarz also participated with its DOCSIS 4.0 test and measurement system. Operators attended to observe the interop, interact with the suppliers and talk about their DOCSIS 4.0 technology plans.
The focus of the interop was interoperability across the ecosystem. A common test scenario at the event involved a virtual core from supplier A, an RPD from supplier B and a DOCSIS 4.0 modem from supplier C, all connected and operating according to specifications. The products were mixed and matched to investigate interoperability scenarios, with suppliers pitching in to analyze the results. To demonstrate extra flexibility for cable operators, suppliers mixed DOCSIS 3.1 and DOCSIS 4.0 equipment because the specifications are written for cross-compatibility.
Interestingly, the interop illustrated how the traditional cable modem termination system (CMTS) has been disrupted by virtualization. Provided by one supplier, the CMTS used to be one box that did it all. Now, the software components have been abstracted into a virtual core that runs on servers in our data center, while the physical-layer components have migrated to the fiber node. This virtual architecture provides both better scalability and improved flexibility for the software, as well as better physical-layer performance on the coaxial cable. And in between, the fiber-optic cable uses much more scalable digital Ethernet connections.
The interop also demonstrated that the core and fiber node components can come from different suppliers because that interface is described in the CableLabs Remote PHY specifications. Looking at interoperability from all angles benefits all stakeholders. Interoperability enables a larger market in which suppliers can compete, which leads to varying competitive strategies and healthier ecosystems. Interoperability gives operators the confidence to plan large installations and the certainty that the equipment they put in the field this year will work for years to come.
Remote PHY interoperability events began in 2017 with DOCSIS 3.1 technology, so these solutions have been in the field for years and have matured. This interop shows that the migration to DOCSIS 4.0 technology is both very far along and proceeding smoothly — and that the supplier community has embraced interoperability among system components.
It's About Network Cohesion
The integration and optimization of the DOCSIS 4.0 ecosystem is underway. The goal has moved beyond simply booting DOCSIS 4.0 modems. Rather, we’re putting together all the parts, mixing and matching from different suppliers, demonstrating interoperability across the interfaces defined in CableLabs specification and achieving the multi-gigabit speeds and other advanced capabilities of DOCSIS 4.0 technology such as security, low latency and proactive network maintenance.
Other parts of the DOCSIS 4.0 ecosystem are also becoming available, including hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network equipment such as amplifiers, taps and passives.
To learn more about this exciting evolution, join us next month at CableLabs Winter Conference. This exclusive event for CableLabs members and the NDA vendor community will explore DOCSIS technology in two powerful sessions: “Unleashing the Full Potential of the DOCSIS 4.0 Network” and “A Vendor Perspective on DOCSIS 4.0 Technology Implementation.” You’ll hear from industry leaders about effective strategies, opportunities and benefits of the DOCSIS 4.0 network. Join us!
Convergence
Embracing the Future with Network as a Service (NaaS)
Key Points
- NaaS enables developers to write applications that work across networks and network operators using a single, simple API.
- It streamlines communication and coordination between applications and the underlying network — improving network efficiency and reducing service complexity.
- This approach is more flexible, scalable and user-centric than other current solutions.
In our increasingly connected world, the demand for seamless, fast and efficient online experiences is growing at an unprecedented rate. Imagine a network where your services follow you, enabling an experience that is unique to you — wherever you are, on any device.
This is where Network as a Service (NaaS) steps in, promising to revolutionize the way we interact with the digital world. Let's dive into the what, why and how of NaaS.
Optimizing Online Experiences
In today’s home network, we are simultaneously connecting more devices and running more applications than ever before — all creating the countless online experiences we encounter every day.
What if we could manage these new experiences more efficiently, ensuring that the network is adapting to our needs? That’s precisely the goal NaaS aims to achieve.
By leveraging context awareness, NaaS enables a network that is more responsive to those different devices and applications while giving users a new level of control over their services.
The Impact of Enhancing Connectivity
Improving the underlying network infrastructure isn’t just about eliminating minor inconveniences. It's about unlocking a world of possibilities.
For users, that means an enhanced online experience with faster, more reliable access to services. For operators, it opens up new avenues for revenue through the delivery of new, more advanced network services. Most significantly, it enables a robust, agile network as the foundation for future technologies and experiences in the home and on the go.
NaaS stands at the forefront of this transformation, ensuring that as our digital demands evolve, our networks aren’t just keeping up but leading the way.
What Is Network as a Service?
NaaS is a new approach to networking. It acts as a bridge between the applications we use and the underlying network, allowing for an unprecedented level of communication and coordination.
In simple terms, NaaS lets applications request the network services they need when they need them, thereby ensuring an optimal experience through dynamic network controls. NaaS enables developers to write applications that work across networks and across operators — all through a single, simple API.
This evolved architecture improves the network's efficiency and reduces the complexity of deploying and managing services. Compared with existing solutions, NaaS provides a more flexible, scalable and user-centric approach, heralding a new age of digital connectivity.
A collaboration between CableLabs and Liberty Global, Explorer WiFi leverages NaaS to provide a private network and enhanced Wi-Fi services for guests of hotels and short-term rentals. Video Provided by Liberty Global
The Future of NaaS and CableLabs' Role
The NaaS journey is just beginning. As we look toward the future, we see a digital landscape where networks aren’t just infrastructure but intelligent platforms that adapt to our needs in real time.
CableLabs is committed to leading this transformation, working closely with our members and the vendor community to explore, develop and deploy NaaS solutions. Through working groups, webinars and collaborative projects, we plan to take advantage of the ample opportunities for involvement and stay at the forefront of this network innovation.
Your Invitation to Shape the Future of Networking
Are you excited about the possibilities NaaS offers? Do you want to be part of this digital revolution?
Whether you're a developer, an operator or simply someone passionate about the future of technology, your insights and contributions are valuable. To learn more and find out how you can get involved, click the button below. Together, we can build a more connected, efficient and innovative digital world.
If you’re attending MWC Barcelona 2024, come see NaaS in action. Alongside Liberty Global and Vodafone Ziggo, CableLabs will present a demo illustrating potential applications of NaaS on the fixed network. Look for us in the GSMA booth located in Hall 4, Stand 4F30.
The future of networking isn’t only about faster speeds and more connections; it's about creating a smarter, more responsive infrastructure that anticipates and adapts to our needs. That’s what NaaS is all about.
Join us on this exciting journey!
AI
Intelligence (It’s Artificial): Takeaways From the CES 2024 Show Floor
Key Points
- In his CES 2024 report and an accompanying CableLabs webinar, broadband industry professional Clarke Stevens explores the role of AI in new innovations.
- AI-powered technologies rely on strong network connectivity — opening up a world of opportunity for broadband operators.
If you attended CES in Las Vegas, you’re probably finally starting to emerge from your technology-overload coma and trying to make sense of it all. We’ve got you covered!
If you haven’t read it yet, check out my recap from the annual trade show: “Clarke’s CES 2024 Report: Are You Smarter Than Your Technology?” I hope it will get you thinking about some of the great technologies that were on display and even entertain you a bit.
In the event, however, that you’re prioritizing your real job over reading my (admittedly lengthy) report, we’ve still got you covered! CableLabs is sponsoring a webinar in which I’ll discuss the technologies and solutions I saw and give my analysis on how they’re relevant (or not) to the broadband industry and to consumers in general. If you’re a CableLabs member, register now for the webinar on March 6.
In the meantime, here’s a brief summary to whet your appetite.
AI Spreading Outward
The primary theme of the show was that intelligence is becoming artificial. You might believe you already know all about artificial intelligence (AI), but now the technology is becoming more pervasive, spreading to common electronics.
Consider, for example, the Flappie cat door, whose motion sensor and night-vision camera will keep an eye on your cat and prevent him from coming inside the house until he drops the mouse he’s captured. Other AI-powered tools enable you to also measure your vitals just by looking in a mirror or communicate with people in your own voice when you can’t speak like you used to.
Because products like these rely on strong network connectivity, broadband operators will be an innate part of their success with customers. The industry opportunity doesn’t end there. Somebody must install, provision and maintain these products. Operators have the technical staff, vehicle fleets and monthly billing relationship with customers that give us a distinct advantage in the pursuit of new business opportunities beyond simple connectivity.
AI also presents operators with the prospect of new, futuristic market opportunities. AI-assisted cameras in cities can identify vehicles, animals and people. They can spot vehicle congestion and reroute traffic, and even call police, ambulances or firefighters.
AI Focused Inward
Cable companies can also use AI to anticipate, repair and even proactively prevent problems in their own network infrastructure. The benefits include a more reliable network at a reduced cost, fascinating new revenue opportunities and an improved ability to meet high-demand needs and provide appropriate service levels. Our combination of proven networking technologies and private networks can be leveraged to provide continuous connectivity to support new business models or simply make existing businesses more efficient.
A sometimes-overlooked opportunity in our industry is to increase our customer base by engineering our solutions toward new kinds of customers. For example, AI-powered “glasses” for the blind can replicate some of the benefits of a guide dog (sadly, not love). Not only can they guide a person around obstacles, but they can also integrate GPS for navigation and even help identify items on a grocery shelf. Let’s see the dog do that!
Many companies today are focused on conducting their business with an eye toward sustainability. Electric vehicles of every kind are replacing fossil-fueled alternatives. Fancy “leather” goods are being manufactured from pineapple waste. Bioengineered house plants are being bred to work as efficient (and decorative) air filters.
And, as always, great people are a natural advantage for the cable industry. AI and the other emerging technologies featured at CES are allowing those people to be more efficient, productive and happy.
A Limitless Future
New technology is improving your health, your daily life and your bottom line. You owe it to yourself to learn more about the emerging AI technologies that will make a difference in your near future.
In the webinar on March 6, I’ll cover some of the crazy ideas that blossom on the way to innovation. This is the kind of conversation that will improve your water cooler game as you stand around your Nube “no-plumbing” water generator that condenses and purifies moisture from thin air!
Security
CableLabs Co-Chairs New M3AAWG AI Committee
Key Points
- M3AAWG has formed the AI Committee to proactively address challenges posed by the increased use of artificial intelligence in online abuse.
- Addressing AI-powered abuse, the committee will study abusers' tactics and develops best practices to mitigate the impact of spam, phishing, fraud and online harassment.
- Actively tracking and advocating for responsible AI development policies, efforts are directed towards enhancing AI system security and ensuring lifecycle protection against cyber threats.
The sudden rise of highly capable artificial intelligence (AI) has brought immense opportunities for beneficial innovation and advancement. However, alongside its benefits, AI also presents unique challenges concerning online abuse and threats to security and privacy. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these issues, the Messaging, Malware, and Mobile Anti-Abuse Working Group (M3AAWG) has taken a proactive stance by forming a dedicated AI Committee. The M3AAWG AI Committee, co-chaired by CableLabs, underscores M3AAWG’s commitment to fostering a safer and more secure online environment for users worldwide.
Tackling Abuse Facilitated by AI Systems
One of the primary objectives of the M3AAWG AI Committee is to address the growing concern surrounding malicious actions facilitated by AI systems. To bolster spam and phishing attacks, fraud, and online harassment, nefarious actors are increasingly leveraging AI-powered tools to amplify and accelerate their harmful activities. By studying the tactics employed by abusers and evaluating countermeasures, the committee aims to develop best common practices to help mitigate the impact of AI-facilitated abuse on individuals and organizations alike.
Public Policy and AI Abuse
The landscape of AI policy is in varying stages of development, with governmental and intergovernmental bodies around the globe proposing and enacting their own models of regulation and oversight. These efforts include the recent Executive Order in the United States aiming for "Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence," and the European Union’s proposed AI Act establishing stricter regulations for high-risk applications. The M3AAWG AI Committee is establishing an initiative to track policy developments and advocate for public policy promoting responsible and secure AI development.
Best Common Practices for Securing the AI Lifecycle and AI Systems
As AI technologies become more pervasive across various sectors, they also become prime targets for cyberattacks and exploitation. Vulnerabilities in AI algorithms and frameworks can be exploited to manipulate outcomes, compromise data integrity, and undermine trust in AI-driven solutions. In addition to combating malicious use, the M3AAWG AI Committee is focused on enhancing the security of AI systems and the AI lifecycle from training to deployment of AI models through the development of best common practices.
Harnessing AI to Counter Abuse
Although AI has been weaponized for nefarious purposes, it also holds immense potential as a tool for combating abuse and safeguarding online ecosystems. The M3AAWG AI Committee recognizes this dichotomy and is exploring innovative ways to harness AI for good. From proactive content moderation and anomaly detection to sentiment analysis and behavioral profiling, AI technologies offer many possibilities for enhancing online safety and security. By developing AI-driven solutions for detecting and mitigating abuse in real-time, the committee aims to empower service providers, platforms, and other stakeholders in their efforts to combat online threats effectively.
Why M3AAWG: Collaboration and Engagement
M3AAWG recently celebrated 20 years of combatting online abuse and making the internet a safer place. The last 20 years of combatting spam, malware, DDoS and many other forms of abuse has only been possible through collaboration and engagement with industry leaders, academic institutions, government agencies, and advocacy groups. The M3AAWG AI Committee will leverage and build upon these relationships within the unique trusted forum of M3AAWG to address the complex challenges posed by AI-driven abuse and innovate towards AI-enabled solutions. Through open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborative initiatives, the M3AAWG AI Committee aims to foster a community-driven approach to combating online abuse and promoting responsible AI usage.
Looking Ahead: The Next 20 Years
As AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the importance of proactive measures to address its implications for online abuse and security cannot be overstated. With the establishment of the AI Committee at its 60th meeting in San Francisco this February 2024, M3AAWG has taken a significant step towards addressing these pressing issues head-on. By leveraging collective expertise and resources, the committee is poised to drive meaningful progress in safeguarding the digital landscape against emerging threats.
Stay tuned for updates and insights from M3AAWG as we continue our journey towards a safer digital future, and please consider joining M3AAWG and the AI Committee to do your part.
Wireless
Open RAN Momentum: A Year of Technological Evolution
Key Points
- Advancements in Open RAN over the past year are evidence that it continues to evolve toward adoption.
- Open Testing and Integration Centers (OTICs) around the world — including one at Kyrio, a CableLabs subsidiary — enable cooperation among vendors.
The Open RAN ecosystem has continued to evolve over the past year, taking major steps forward and gaining more credence and industry acceptance. In case you’re not up to speed, here’s an at-a-glance view of some of these promising new developments.
Significant new investments are driving scale and innovation.
- In September, Vodafone and Samsung kicked off a massive deployment of 2,500 disaggregated and virtualized cell sites, providing 4G and 5G services across the United Kingdom.
- In September, Ericsson announced it will introduce support for open fronthaul across its Cloud RAN and radio portfolios starting this year. In December, AT&T committed to large-scale Open RAN and selected Ericsson as its vendor.
- The NTIA awarded the first grants from the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund program for Open RAN technologies in 2023 and a recent round in early 2024 to academic institutions, DISH and Viavi.
- In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it will invest in private Open RAN 5G to leverage innovation in that ecosystem.
Maturing RIC and automation gear up for differentiating performance and efficiency.
- Vodafone has been vocal about its Open RAN deployments, delivering performance as good as or better than that of the company’s traditional RAN sites.
- DISH reported record-low cost due to highly efficient operations and automation.
- Open RAN vendors such as Mavenir are marketing artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) solutions that make full use of the data exposed by open interfaces.
- At the Open RAN North America conference in December, multiple operators discussed the intricacies and maturity of their evolving RIC implementations.
- The U.S. government is propelling RIC advancements: In March, the agency will host a RIC forum with live demonstrations of leading vendors’ RIC capabilities.
New OTICs and service offerings facilitate integration and adoption.
- Integrating various vendors’ gear to work together is one of the key challenges for Open RAN adoption. Open Testing and Integration Centers (OTICs) like the one at CableLabs’ subsidiary, Kyrio, facilitate this kind of cooperation, hosting multiple PlugFests to advance Open RAN features and performance. Several new OTICs have been added in 2023, most recently at MITRE in the U.S. and a group of companies in South Korea.
- Several operators and vendors, including Docomo and Ericsson, have announced new service offerings and pre-integrated configurations to ease Open RAN adoption.
Although there’s still a long way to go before Open RAN architectures become widely adopted, these advancements show that the technology is steadily evolving and here to stay.
If you’re planning to attend Mobile World Congress/MWC Barcelona this month, join us for the O-RAN ALLIANCE Summit. The summit is the first major gathering of this community in conjunction with an MWC event, further underscoring the industry’s continued interest in Open RAN.
Wireless
The 6G Network Is On the Horizon
Key Points
- In its work to develop 6G, the industry has new opportunities to reconsider the service and design requirements of seamless connectivity and convergence.
- Careful consideration of this next generation of mobile technologies will result in more efficient and simplified integration of the wireline and mobile industries.
- The first specifications of 5G Advanced, which will bridge the evolution from 5G to 6G, are expected this year.
Every decade, a new generation of mobile technologies, known as “G,” is developed, along with its own set of capabilities. Recently, the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) unveiled its IMT-2030/6G vision, which outlines capabilities of the 6G network built on top of its earlier IMT-2020/5G vision. The initial standards for the IMT-2030/6G vision are expected to be available around 2029.
The initial release of 5G became available around 2018. Although the 5G buildout is still in progress, the industry has already started discussing 6G. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) decided that Release 21 would be the first release of its 6G specification work. The exact schedule for Release 21 is still under consideration, but 3GPP is looking to hold a 6G workshop in March 2025, targeting the first 6G study package for approval in June 2025. This year, 3GPP will begin deliberating 6G service requirements.
So, 6G is not on the distant horizon! It’s closer than you think.
The broadband industry has been actively working toward fixed-mobile convergence and multi-access seamless connectivity in 5G design. However, the intent of incorporating such design principles may have created unforeseen complexities and introduced optional features that may have impacted commercialization timelines. Now that we have another design opportunity with 6G, we can reconsider major service/design requirements of seamless connectivity and convergence so that 6G design considers those from the start and incorporates them as integral components to the 6G architecture.
The use cases and capabilities we can expect from 6G are shown in the graphics below.
The Path to 6G
Understanding the mobile technology trends that are leading to 6G provides an opportunity to successfully integrate broadband industry requirements into the 6G architecture and design. Today, 3GPP is actively working on developing 5G Advanced, with certain features expected to bridge the evolution from 5G to 6G. The first specifications of 5G Advanced (Release 18) are expected in early 2024.
Some of the new 5G Advanced features include support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), tighter integration between terrestrial networks (TNs) and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), and improvements related to energy efficiency.
An example roadmap of 5G–6G, shown below, groups the new features into three categories: System Enhancements, Diverse Consumer Device Support and Different Radio Access Technology/Vertical Integration. The features will figure heavily into groups of projects, improving core performance, extending coverage of device types and expanding vertical sectors that incorporate mobile technology.
Here are a few examples of features in each category:
- System Enhancements. In each release, one or more features have been proposed and worked on to improve 5G system performance in consideration of various key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, 5G Advanced proposes positioning enhancements, coverage enhancements, AI/ML-based optimization for air interface/Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN), Flexible Duplex to address the uplink latency issue of Time Division Duplexing (TDD), and Network Energy Savings (NES). In 6G, we’ll see support for new advanced capabilities in the areas of sustainability, coverage, pervasive AI, interoperability and positioning.
- Diverse Consumer Device Support. One of the key differences between 5G and 4G is that 5G supports various consumer devices and diverse vertical markets. For example, Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) supports Industrial IoT devices such as robotics, machinery, automation, sensors and controllers. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology supports vehicle, pedestrian and device-to-device communication between smartphones, wearables and drones. Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices support 5G connectivity with limited capabilities (e.g., lower data rate, bandwidth support) compared with normal smartphones. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) supports a home gateway offering broadband services to home/customer premises. Multi-SIM capability supports the enhancement of devices with more than single-subscription information. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology supports high-altitude aircrafts/airplanes. Extended Reality (XR) supports XR glasses, augmented reality (AR) devices and virtual reality (VR) devices; in fact, XR enhances the 5G network and RAN to support lower latency and more importantly lower jitter for multimedia. Moreover, 5G promises to extend its support for ambient IoT devices to the point at which ambient IoT device types will further reduce complexity compared with 4G Advanced’s Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) support. In 5G and later, a device type considered in ambient IoT might have similar capability to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
- Different Radio Access Technology/Vertical Integration. The 5G standard also supports integrated/converged networking to various radio access technologies (RATs) and/or vertical sectors. For example, 5G supports integration with Wi-Fi networks — e.g., in-device coexistence (IDC) — to better manage resources, New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) and Wi-Fi coexistence with mobile access. The 5G standard also supports fixed-mobile convergence architecture — for example, Wireless-Wireline Convergence (WWC). Moreover, starting in Release 17, satellite-based New Radio (NR) technology has been a key aspect of 3GPP in the form of NTNs. Recently, 5G Advanced has begun to investigate Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) so that the first ISAC specification may be available in the Release 20 timeframe. Access Traffic Steering, Switching & Splitting (ATSSS) provides user data support over multi-access computing. Finally, Railway Mobile Radio (RMR) supports railway communication.
Mobile communications based on 5G/6G have devoted significant energy toward providing certain quality of service (QoS) levels to customer devices. In Release 19, 3GPP plans to further identify various users/devices sharing a subscription — say, 5G user equipment (5G UE) or 5G residential gateway (5G-RG) — and provide differentiated QoS to each user/device.
The graphic below illustrates various customer devices/device categories that the 5G/5G Advanced system supports — spanning various quality metrics and KPIs. For example, XR devices for AR/VR require very low latency (e.g., 1 ms) while handling high data rate demand (e.g., 100 Mbps – 1 Gbps). At the same time, due to the form-factor limitations of some XR glasses/equipment, a number of receiver antennas for a device may be limited as a result of required coverage enhancements compared with normal 5G UEs. In another example, reduced-capability devices will further decrease the number of receiver antennas and supported bandwidth (and thus require more coverage enhancement) but will offer improved energy-saving features (e.g., longer sleep) while relaxing QoS requirements. In 5G, more devices with higher capabilities (e.g., higher power, higher number of transmission/reception antennas) will support various verticals such as NTN, railway, aerial, fixed wireless gateway and so on.
Support for a large variety of customer devices in a single system has both benefits and drawbacks. For example, 5G adopts the concept of network slicing to potentially alleviate some drawbacks in which each slice with partitioned resource/management supported different devices or verticals.
It is evident that mobile industry aims to expand its coverage to various industry sectors where the broadband industry currently holds sway. One consideration is to support broadband operation via FWA or NR-based NTN — at least, in some areas where fixed broadband may not be easily achievable. Another example is to support various sensors, video surveillance systems and home devices that have traditionally been supported by home Wi-Fi. The 5G/5G Advanced system not only supports various device types but also various spectrum/frequency options, such as unlicensed spectrum, lightly shared spectrum (e.g., CBRS band), licensed spectrum and satellite spectrum.
How 6G Matters to the Broadband Industry
Based on a recent technical report from ITU-R, 6G will reach for more integrated, highly automated and intelligent infrastructure that contains several operational domains in various types of network segments (e.g., wired/wireless access, core, edge and space segments). In the 6G network, an operator may potentially target a service provider offering an end-to-end system — that is, from application to customer, including transport.
Broadband industry operators might become connectivity operators, providing transport (or any segment of the 6G system), or service providers responsible for the entire end-to-end system. Either way, understanding 6G requirements and the trends of the mobile industry will be important to consider:
- The QoS management framework can be enhanced to support traffic requirements between various end customer devices and diverging end applications. For example, Packet Delay Budget (PDB) or Packet Data Unit (PDU) Set Delay Budget (PSDB) — for packets with inherent dependency on one another — may be supported in fixed networks to accommodate end-to-end delay requirements. Another example could be to extend network slicing or virtual/physical resource partitioning to support certain vertical applications or diverse QoS requirements.
- Identification and management of the end customer (e.g., user, application, device) can be enhanced to customize capabilities, necessary QoS requirements of the end customer and the corresponding cable network management/control plane. For example, subscription models of the cable network can be enhanced (e.g., via fixed-mobile convergence) to address the needs of certain end customers/devices/applications.
- The cable access network can be offered as a Transport as a Service (TaaS) option that can be integrated with various management/core networks. For example, the Service-Based Architecture (SBA) between 6G core network and various access networks — including cable access and mobile radio access — may be designed such that the 6G core can connect to cable access without requiring complicated gateway functionalities such as the Wireline Access Gateway Function (W-AGF). Further disaggregation of cable network functions could allow for flexible network topologies.
- To support sustainability, 6G design must transcend individual RAT energy-saving measures and adopt a holistic approach that includes cross-RAT/multi-access energy-saving features while providing a seamless user experience.
As noted, 6G is coming sooner rather than later.
Now is the perfect time to review lessons learned from the 4G and 5G experiences on multi-access integration (e.g., Wi-Fi interworking, WWC) and carefully consider 6G design choices and requirements from the beginning. Doing so will result in more efficient and simplified integration of the wireline and mobile industries, and will enable coverage of various industry sectors through integrated/automated converged mobile/wireline access networks.
If you would like to be a part of the discussion around 6G specification activity, contact me using the button below.
Security
A Framework for Improving Internet Routing Security
Key Points
- The Routing Security Profile approaches routing security from a holistic, risk management perspective.
- It is applicable for use by any autonomous system operator — large or small — to enhance routing security.
- The profile and the underlying technical controls must continue to evolve to stay ahead of a constantly changing threat landscape.
- Our next step is to engage with the broader internet community to drive awareness and further improve and advance this work.
Reliable and secure routing is essential for the connectivity of critical communications networks, ensuring that data packets reach their intended destinations without being intercepted, altered or dropped. Inadequate routing security can make the entire network susceptible to attacks such as Internet Protocol (IP) spoofing, route hijacking and man-in-the-middle attacks.
With the increasing complexity and ubiquity of IP network infrastructures across the globe, the security of core routing protocols — including the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and the Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) — is an integral facet of the cybersecurity landscape. Malicious actors and threat vectors that target the network routing layer can lead to severe disruptions, such as data leakage, network outages and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
To address the issue, CableLabs has just released a “Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Internet Routing” (Routing Security Profile, or RSP) that serves as a foundation for improving the security of the internet’s routing system. The RSP is an actionable and adaptable guide, aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), that enables Internet Service Providers (ISPs), enterprise networks, cloud service providers and organizations — large and small — to proactively identify risks and mitigate threats to enhance routing infrastructure security.
The RSP was developed as an extension of CableLabs’ and the cable industry’s longstanding leadership and commitment to building and maintaining a more secure internet ecosystem. It also was developed in response to NIST’s call to action to submit examples of “profiles” mapped to the CSF that are aimed at addressing cybersecurity risks associated with a particular business activity or operation.
What Is the Routing Security Profile, and Who Can Use It?
Network engineers, IT managers, cybersecurity professionals and decision-makers involved in network security risk management are prime candidates for using the RSP — with its exclusive focus on routing protocols and services — as one tool in an overall network strategy to enhance existing security policies and risk management procedures within their organizations.
The RSP describes various technologies and techniques used for internet routing security, including BGP, Internet Routing Registries (IRRs), Autonomous System (AS) path filtering and RPKI. In addition, it outlines several key recommendations for improving BGP security that include Route Origin Authorizations (ROAs), Route Origin Validation (ROV), BGP peer authentication, prefix filtering and monitoring for anomalies.
What Can the Routing Security Profile Do?
By mapping routing security best practices and standards to the applicable key categories and subcategories of the NIST CSF 1.1’s Core Functions — Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover — the RSP can help organizations with the following tasks:
- Identifying systems, assets, data and risks that pertain to IP networks.
- Protecting IP networks by performing self-assessments and adhering to cybersecurity principles.
- Detecting cybersecurity-related disturbances or corruption of IP network services and data.
- Responding to IP network service or data anomalies in a timely, effective and resilient manner.
- Recovering the IP network to proper working order after a cybersecurity incident.
The RSP is a framework for improving security and managing risks for internet routing, which is one key piece of a larger critical infrastructure cybersecurity puzzle. As with any endeavor in security, the RSP will evolve over time to reflect changes to the NIST CSF, including the CSF 2.0 update coming in early 2024, advances in routing security technologies and the rapidly emerging security threat landscape.
The RSP was developed by CableLabs’ Cable Routing Engineering for Security and Trust Working Group (CREST WG). The CREST WG is composed of routing security technologists from CableLabs, NCTA — The Internet & Television Association, as well as network operators from around the world, including representatives from Armstrong, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Eastlink, Liberty Global, Midco, Rogers/Shaw and Videotron. For more information on the CREST WG, please contact us.
We welcome feedback on the RSP from other internet ecosystem stakeholders as we continue to advance this work. Please send comments to Tao Wan. We will also engage with the broader internet community through forums such as M 3AAWG to drive awareness and to further improve the profile for the benefit of all AS operators, including ISPs, cloud service providers, government agencies, universities and other organizations.
10G
Unleashing the Power of the 10G Lab: Fueling Innovation and Collaboration
Key Points
- The 10G Lab supports specialized equipment for running computationally intensive workloads.
- It provides a converged environment hosting DOCSIS, PON and 5G networks.
- A multi-purpose environment, the lab supports innovation, interoperability and testing of different use cases.
- It serves as a place for collaboration among CableLabs, members and vendor partners.
CableLabs’ 10G Lab, located at our headquarters in Louisville, Colorado, drives innovation and fosters collaboration among industry partners. We welcome partners to leverage this valuable asset and co-innovate with us. In this blog post, I’ll explore the capabilities and benefits of the 10G Lab, with a special focus on its role in promoting collaboration with our vendor partners.
10G Lab Capabilities
The 10G Lab is an ideal playground for a multitude of use cases. It supports an array of hardware infrastructure, including powerful compute nodes, high-capacity storage and ample bandwidth capacity. Specialized hardware such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) provide the computational power necessary for signal processing, 3D rendering and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) workloads.
The lab uses Kubernetes through the Red Hat OpenShift unified platform to build, deploy and manage applications at scale. In addition to these general compute infrastructure provisions, the 10G Lab hosts a converged environment containing DOCSIS®, PON and 5G networks, along with traffic-generation and network-simulation software to reproduce a wide variety of network topologies and conditions — a unique value proposition! Together with CableLabs’ subject matter expertise, the 10G Lab is a world-class facility with a powerful set of capabilities in a single location.
Leveraging this underlying infrastructure and networking capability, CableLabs continues to develop intent-based APIs that enable network-aware application deployment and enhanced performance as part of our Network as a Platform (NaaP) project. These APIs provide a level of insight and control of network features that ease the development of applications requiring intent-based networking. Many of the NaaP APIs are being standardized through the CAMARA project, an open-source project within the Linux Foundation to define, develop and test the APIs. Stay tuned for more details about current and future standardized API work with the NaaP project at CableLabs.
The 10G Lab also recently served as the host lab for the 5G Challenge, sponsored by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) — the research and engineering arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The goal of the 5G Challenge is to accelerate the development and widespread deployment of open and interoperable 5G networks with true plug-and-play operation.
10G Lab Benefits
At CableLabs, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration. We work with our vendor partners to develop proof of concept (POC) applications, facilitate the interoperability of network components, and enable the testing of next-generation network and service capabilities. CableLabs shares the output of the work conducted in the 10G Lab with our member operators and showcases the developments at leading telecommunications conferences and in CableLabs publications such as white papers and blogs.
Our goal is to bring cutting-edge innovations to the forefront, using the 10G Lab environment as a catalyst to bring those innovations to fruition.
Vendor Partner Success Stories
Flash Networks
Flash Networks is a company that improves subscriber quality of experience, drives radio spectral efficiency and monetizes mobile internet traffic with its vHarmony Mobile Internet Services Gateway. Initially lacking access to a DOCSIS network to test its solution, the company found a lifeline in the 10G Lab. Partnering with Flash Networks, CableLabs provided the necessary infrastructure and networking in the 10G Lab to enable the company to gather informative metrics on running its product within the DOCSIS network under various network conditions. The results that Flash Networks obtained were invaluable in presenting its offerings to potential customers in the broadband industry.
“This was Flash Networks’ first experience with CableLabs and a very positive one. The CableLabs 10G Lab environment is very flexible and allowed us to test our value in multiple real-life use cases. The CableLabs team was very professional and collaborated with us efficiently while using their vast experience to achieve great results. We truly hope that this collaboration with CableLabs is a great first step for Flash Networks as it enters the cable industry. The Flash Networks team is looking forward to further cooperation with CableLabs.” — Ofer Gottfried, CTO at Flash Networks
Casa Systems
Casa Systems designs and builds networking systems for the broadband and wireless industries. CableLabs partnered with Casa Systems to enable both the DOCSIS access network and a 5G network in the 10G Lab. The company’s virtual Converged Cable Access Platform (vCCAP), Remote PHY devices (RPDs) and 5G Core are foundational components that make up a substantial part of the backbone of the 10G Lab. With this networking capability in place, CableLabs has been able to demonstrate use cases involving converged networks and intent-based networking APIs at conferences and directly with network operators that are members of CableLabs.
“Casa Systems proudly stands at the forefront of innovation alongside CableLabs, shaping the future of networking technology. Together, we've unlocked the potential for converged networks and intent-based networking APIs, showcasing use cases that redefine connectivity at its core. We look forward to continuing our partnership to unveil a new era of possibilities for network operators.” — Colin Kincaid, CPO at Casa Systems
NVIDIA
CableLabs collaborated with NVIDIA to develop a proof of concept around GPU split rendering at the edge, utilizing the NVIDIA CloudXR platform and NVIDIA GPUs, including the NVIDIA L40 and A40 GPUs, in the 10G Lab. This unique opportunity allowed CableLabs to research what the networking requirements would be to enable virtual reality (VR) gaming using edge resources in lieu of local gaming equipment.
“Advanced computing and networking are needed to tackle today’s biggest VR innovation and collaboration challenges. Working with CableLabs enables us to build meaningful extended reality experiences and expertly demonstrate it to the CableLabs members, who are leading providers of broadband.” — Greg Jones, Director of Global Business Development for Extended Reality at NVIDIA
The 10G Lab is open to collaboration with CableLabs members and the NDA vendor community. We encourage members and vendors to partner with us to showcase innovations in the 10G Lab. You can also join the CableLabs community as an NDA vendor.
Driving Industry Progress Together
In a rapidly evolving technology landscape, our 10G Lab stands out as a beacon of innovation and collaboration. Its comprehensive hardware resources, diverse network environments and integration capabilities make it a playground for experimentation and development.
Vendor partner success stories serve as testaments to the 10G Lab's versatility. With CableLabs and its vendor partners working in harmony, the 10G Lab becomes a place where breakthroughs are shared with the industry through blogs and white papers, at conferences, and directly with leaders that operate wired and wireless networks around the world.
We look forward to a future in which the 10G Lab continues to drive industry progress and foster a spirit of shared knowledge and success.