-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Cable Operators Turning to Fiber to Compete With Telcos, Heavy
Reading Finds
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:02:46 +0000
From: Light Reading <unsubscribe-7469237-55176@responses.lightreading.com>
To: Light Reading <charles@thewybles.com>
Dear Colleague,
Cable network operators around the world are now investigating
technology options that will enable them to compete more effectively
with telco rivals by driving fiber-based offerings deeper into their
networks, but significant issues are emerging that may affect the extent
and timing of cable fiber deployments, according to a major new report
from /Heavy Reading/ (www.heavyreading.com
<http://www.heavyreading.com>), the market research division of Light
Reading (www.lightreading.com <http://www.lightreading.com>).
*Next-Gen Cable Networks: Opportunities for Fiber-Based Technologies*
explores the cable industry's initiatives in the fiber-to-the-premises
(FTTP) sector, examining the prospects for MSOs as they seek to extend
fiber lines to customer sites. The study analyzes the opportunities for
cable operators to capture greater portions of the residential and
commercial markets through targeted plant extensions to master planned
communities, other new housing developments, apartment building
complexes, business locations, rural areas, and other demographic
segments. It evaluates the significant obstacles that cable providers
must overcome to transform themselves into major players in the FTTP
arena, and it measures how well cable's technology stacks up against
competing telco delivery systems.
The 50-page report provides a detailed competitive analysis of 15
technology, equipment, and service suppliers in this emerging sector,
assessing their products, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses.
Technology initiatives assessed and analyzed include the emerging radio
frequency over glass (RFoG) standard, as well as related passive optical
network (PON) technologies.
For a complete list of technology suppliers reviewed and analyzed in
this report, click here
<http://img.lightreading.com/heavyreading/pdf/hr20090227_vendors.pdf>.
"By extending fiber deeper into their networks, cable operators could
support the more reliable delivery of greater downstream spectrum and
services to residential and commercial subscribers," notes Alan
Breznick, Senior Analyst at /Heavy Reading/ and author of the report.
"Because RFoG supports the delivery of up to 1 GHz of spectrum to the
customer premises, MSOs could more easily upgrade their system capacity
to carry more digital video channels, HDTV services, VoD choices,
higher-speed data signals, VoIP services, and other offerings."
Despite RFoG's apparent benefits, cable operators are increasingly
concerned about the actual performance of RFoG-based networks compared
with competing fiber-based telco initiatives, Breznick says. "Unlike the
various PON technologies that the phone companies are increasingly
deploying, RFoG doesn't actually produce any more bandwidth or faster
transmission speeds on its own," he explains. "While RFoG systems can
support cable networks with up to 1GHz capacity, they don't provide any
extra capacity for the industry's typical 750MHz systems. Cable
operators must still upgrade the rest of their plant to increase their
overall bandwidth capacity."
Other key findings of *Next-Gen Cable Networks: Opportunities for
Fiber-Based Technologies* include the following:
*At least two dozen cable operators around the world are exploring,
testing, or building FTTP systems or extensions.* MSOs investigating
fiber-based deployments in North America include Time Warner Cable, Cox
Communications, Bright House Networks, Rogers Communications, and
CableOne. In Europe and Asia, the growing list features Virgin Media in
the U.K., Ziggo in the Netherlands, ZON Multimedia in Portugal, and
Jupiter Telecommunications in Japan.
*In the past year, two major, influential U.S. MSOs – Time Warner and
Cox – have issued wide-ranging requests for information regarding cable
FTTP architectures.* The two RFIs, issued separately about six months
apart, also seek information about related PON technologies from
equipment vendors. Other MSOs are expected to follow their lead this year.
*Cable operators are showing genuine interest in FTTP architecture and
related PON technologies for the first time because they see promising
markets for the solutions.* MSOs are eyeing such key niche segments as
master planned communities, new housing developments, multiple dwelling
units (MDUs), rural areas, and business services. Cable providers are
also exploring fiber network builds in response to stiffer competition
from telco fiber network initiatives, such as Verizon's FiOS and AT&T's
U-verse projects.
*More than a dozen equipment suppliers have begun offering or are
planning to offer fiber, optical, and electrical gear for cable
operators to use in FTTP deployments.* Large, well-established equipment
vendors from both the cable and telecom sectors are involved, including
Arris, Calix Networks, Corning Cable Systems, Cisco, Harmonic, Hitachi
Telecom, Motorola, and Tellabs. But the vendor lineup also includes
smaller and/or newer firms such as Alloptic, Aurora Networks, Salira
Systems, and SMC Networks.
*Next-Gen Cable Networks: Opportunities for Fiber-Based Technologies* is
essential reading for a wide range of industry participants, including
the following:
* *Cable technology suppliers:* How will the development of
fiber-based network deployments affect cable MSO technology plans?
When is the market for deep-fiber cable likely to develop, and
what's the most likely timeframe for rollouts? How will the
emergence of RFoG and other fiber technologies and standards
affect other technologies that are being proposed to increase
bandwidth efficiency for cable MSO networks? Where are the
opportunities for market growth? Are your products and marketing
messages in line with cable MSO plans and expectations?
* *Cable network operators:* How do the current options for
deploying fiber-based technologies compare with one another in
terms of cost and effectiveness? How are other cable MSOs
approaching the fiber deployment issue? Are their plans and
expectations in line with your company's approach? Which
technology suppliers are best positioned to meet your company's
requirements regarding next-gen cable network deployments?
* *Investors:* Which technologies are emerging as the winning
solutions for deep-fiber cable network deployments, and which
companies are the leading providers of those solutions? How will
the need for new technology and infrastructure affect
profitability for the cable MSO sector in the coming months and
years?
*Next-Gen Cable Networks: Opportunities for Fiber-Based Technologies*
costs $3,995 and is published in PDF format. The price includes an
enterprise license covering all of the employees at the purchaser's
company.
For additional information, or to request a free executive summary of
this report, please contact:
Dave Williams
Sales Director
/Heavy Reading/
858-485-8870
dave.williams@heavyreading.com <mailto:dave.williams@heavyreading.com>
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Charles N Wyble charles@thewybles.com
(818)280-7059 http://charlesnw.blogspot.com
CTO SocalWiFI.net
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