Back to the future — Spectrum evolution without compromising legacy performance
This post is sponsored by Antronix.
Now more than ever, broadband has become an essential utility for residents, businesses and schools. NCTA Analysis estimates that 80% of US homes have access to the internet and that cable operators represent the largest provider of residential broadband services in the United States. As the next evolution of DOCSIS is on the horizon, network reliability will be key, but so will backwards compatibility with legacy networks.
While cable broadband operators certainly met the challenges brought about by the pandemic and proved their legacy networks fared well, the last 18 months have shown us that the need to increase and expand spectrum is only growing. There are many ways to meet these needs while supporting previous DOCSIS performance to ensure backwards compatibility, according to Antronix, a manufacturer of broadband devices that focus on legacy performance.
Antronix has designed its product portfolio to enable cable operators to add mulit-gigabit capacity to existing DOCSIS hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks, offer symmetrical gigabit services and significantly reduce throughput upgrade costs. Antronix’s flagship Milenium Series of multi-taps and faceplates, for example, give operators the needed path to cost-effectively boost the spectrum of their passive networks, while, in many instances, doubling their capacity. Antronix also enables providers to target super users within an existing HFC network group with “pay as you grow” options to keep costs manageable.
Future-proof HFC investments
Antronix President Neil Tang explains how the company has designed its products to help operators future-proof their HFC investments while maintaining all legacy drop and RF signal infrastructure.
“We understand every aspect of an operator’s networks, from the plant to the home and everywhere in between. The key to network future proofing, is knowing when and where to offer technology, when to retrofit, when to extend spectrum, when it makes sense to blend in fiber and when to fully innovate,” says Tang, adding, it is “key to note, this may not be a system-wide, one-size fits-all way of thinking — and we are okay with that.”
Antronix has designed its products to give cable operators the best upgrade path as they navigate the need to extend their spectrum deployments. Customized solutions are often required to sufficiently meet the varying needs of cable broadband operators.
“We’ve found that customization and expertise are essential for cable operators,” Tang notes.
Broadband infrastructure and network investment totaled $17 billion in 2020, according to S&P Global, and that figure will likely balloon even higher this year as providers work to effectively and efficiently deliver broadband services, especially in rural areas.
“The most important consideration is that the economics must work for these technology decisions and we can help operators make their best choices,” Tang concludes.
Find out more about Antronix, visit here.