Cable’s Cloud Journey

Despite a relatively late start, cable operators are now pursuing a distributed, software-based strategy, shifting network functions and services from their legacy hardware to the cloud. Led by Comcast and Liberty Global, cablecos have started disaggregating their access networks and virtualizing network firewalls, routers/gateways, set-top boxes, cable modem termination system (CMTS) chasses, and other key functions and equipment.

At the same time, cablecos are looking to leverage their hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks to provide wireless services to both consumers and businesses, including 5G mobile.

Why is this happening now? It’s all part of cable’s ambitious push to boost bandwidth, lower latency levels, scale operations, reduce operating costs, and deliver new, more advanced services to subscribers.

To be sure, the industry faces major challenges in bringing its twin cloud and convergence visions to life. Yet the work is clearly underway. How can operators manage and operationalize cloud-based networks at scale while maintaining high quality-of-experience (QoE) levels for their subscribers? This e-book looks at cable’s cloud and convergence strategy, examines the hurdles that the industry faces, and discusses what operators can do next.