Experience 10G
Network Convergence
As we enter a new phase of the information era, operators need a unified network that delivers a seamless connectivity experience in an efficient and predictable manner.
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What is network convergence?
Network convergence allows wireline, Wi-Fi and mobile services from a single flexible, programmable connectivity platform whose hardware, software and data storage resources spanning multiple geographic locations are shared across multiple access technologies. For end users, network convergence facilitates a seamless user experience across multiple connectivity services. For operators, network convergence reduces the complexity and cost of providing multi-service offerings.
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Why do we need network convergence?
Today, people expect round-the-clock connectivity at home, work and everywhere in between when they’re using various wireless and wired services. Network convergence allows for seamless access to video streaming, Internet shopping and video conferencing wherever and whenever we need these tools. The result is a simpler, faster and more agile network that can seamlessly transition user connectivity from wired to wireless and vice versa, delivering the uninterrupted, omnipresent connectivity that customers are looking for.
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Why do operators need network convergence?
For operators, maintaining and managing separate wireline and wireless access networks is not only inefficient and costly but also limits the type of services they will be able to provide in the future. Merging all these technologies into a unified connectivity platform will help reduce network complexity, cut operational costs, improve quality of service, allocate resources optimally across different access technologies and serve as a springboard for new business.
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What problems are we solving?
There is no “one-size-fits-all” network convergence roadmap; operators will have different evolutionary paths to network convergence. Any convergence strategy needs to be based on a framework that provides flexibility, is technology-neutral and allows both incremental and large-scale adoptions.
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CableLabs is focusing on key enablers
To realize the framework, CableLabs is working on creating open interface specifications to promote a diverse and competitive marketplace of vendors and suppliers, promoting the use of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and virtualization technologies for fixed, mobile and converged network functions, promoting cloud-native infrastructure to enable flexibility, elasticity, resiliency and telemetry, promoting technologies for closed-loop automation, zero-touch provisioning and self-healing of converged infrastructure and driving harmonization across the multiple industries.
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Quality is key
Network convergence and the resulting user experience will only have the desired effects when anchored by a robust transport fabric. The cable network, which is fast, reliable and secure, is a key foundation for network convergence. CableLabs’ convergence strategy is focused on helping our members fully exploit and optimize their network advantages, including the 10G platform.
Read more about the 10G platform
Upcoming Events
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CableLabs Envision Vendor Forum 2021: Mobile and Convergence
Envision Vendor Forum 2021: Mobile and Convergence is a private (no press) event dedicated to executives, senior technologists and strategists who are creating next-generation service offerings that will not only deliver unique and seamless user experiences, but will do so efficiently and at lower costs and higher quality than today. Convergence, which seeks to merge wireline and wireless technologies into a singular, multi-modal communication platform that reduces network complexity, cuts operational costs, improves quality and creates new business and service opportunities. You can register here.
Date: April 20-21, 2021, 9:00-11:30 a.m. MDT on both days.
White Paper
A Comparative Introduction to 4G and 5G Authentication
White Paper
Cable: 5G Wireless Enabler
White Paper
DOCSIS Technologies for Mobile Backhaul
Technical Report
5G Wireless Wireline Converged Core Architecture Technical Report
Specification
Low Latency Mobile Xhaul over DOCSIS Technology
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What are we working on?
What are we working on?
Converged Wired-Wireless Infrastructure
Both mobile and wired technologies are moving toward a cloud-based architecture and virtualization which offers a great opportunity for convergence. In other words, because there are virtual versions of many network functions, DOCSIS and wireless networks can now share hardware and software resources. CableLabs has already submitted contributions to 3GPP, the governing body responsible for the 5G specification guidelines, detailing requirements for 5G convergence with cable’s hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks. These specifications were released in 2019 and can be found here.
Low Latency Mobile Xhaul
As national mobile 5G rollout draws near, the number of small radio equipment that bolsters the speed and capacity of mobile networks called “small cells” has been skyrocketing. Those small cells require a fast and efficient way to communicate with each other and the core network. That’s where cable’s DOCSIS® networks come in. We’ve developed technologies that allow the wireline network to efficiently carry the mobile traffic back to the mobile network and significantly reduce latency and improve the service quality.
Network Slicing
Network slicing is a form of network virtualization that allows multiple mobile networks to exist on one radio or Xhaul path. For this to work, all individual parts of the mobile network “slice,” including its wireless, IP Core and DOCSIS components, have to act as one whole and maintain the same Quality of Service (QoS)—for example the same low latency. A common operation support system (OSS) can be used to manage both mobile and DOCSIS parts of the unified network.