Policy

Wi-Fi Spectrum: 6 GHz Use Is Surging and Headed Toward Exhaustion

Wi-Fi Spectrum

Mark Walker
Vice President, Technology Policy

May 20, 2025

Key Points

  • A new Wi-Fi network use analysis from CableLabs shows that current unlicensed spectrum won’t be able to keep pace with the demands of increasingly more connected devices over the next five years.
  • Exhaustion of the 6 GHz band is nearing as the growing number of Wi-Fi devices and applications strain current unlicensed spectrum.
  • If not addressed, the strain on unlicensed spectrum will significantly degrade Wi-Fi performance for consumers in high-density environments.
  • Policymakers should act now to ensure Wi-Fi connectivity for all Americans.

As U.S. and global policy makers debate the future of spectrum policy, CableLabs is releasing initial results of our Wi-Fi network use analysis, which further confirms the critical need to keep the current unlicensed spectrum resources and add more soon.

Fiber

Driving Alignment: New Progress Toward XGS-PON Equipment Interoperability

XGS-PON Interoperability

John Bevilacqua
Principal Architect, FTTP Technologies

May 16, 2025

Key Points

  • A recent CableLabs PON Interop·Labs event brought together OLT and ONU suppliers to test device interoperability and exercise the requirements of the Cable OpenOMCI specification.
  • Testing helps equipment manufacturers ensure interoperability among their devices — key to building a healthy, collaborative ecosystem.

With more and more CableLabs member operators deploying or preparing to deploy ITU-T-based passive optical networking (PON) technologies such as XGS-PON, interoperability of equipment from different vendors is more important than ever. One well-known source for the lack of cross-vendor interoperability of XGS-PON equipment stems from differing implementations of the ONU Management Control Interface (OMCI) — primarily specified by ITU-T Recommendation G.988.

Innovation

Preparing the Industry for the Next Era of Broadband Innovation

Preparing the Industry for the Next Era of Innovation

CableLabs
CableLabs

May 6, 2025

Key Points

  • CableLabs helps shape the future of connectivity and advance the technologies that will define it by empowering the people who make it possible.
  • Together with SCTE, our member operators and other industry stakeholders, we can build stronger foundations for tomorrow’s networks by investing in collaboration, community and continuous innovation.

The broadband industry is only as strong as the people who power it. 

Wireless

CableLabs and Industry Leaders Unite to Advance Open AFC Solution

Open AFC Project

Luther Smith
Distinguished Technologist and Director of Wireless

May 1, 2025

Key Points

  • In collaboration with industry partners, CableLabs is helping continue the development of the Open Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) solution.
  • The open-source AFC solution supports Standard Power operation for unlicensed devices in the 6GHz band.

CableLabs is proud to partner with Broadcom, Cisco, the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) to offer an open-source version of the Open Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) solution.

DOCSIS

CableLabs Certifies First DOCSIS 3.1+ Device with Four OFDM Channels

DOCSIS 3.1+ Device Certification

Jeff Leget
President & CEO of Kyrio, EVP Infrastructure of CableLabs

Apr 25, 2025

Key Points

  • The certification of the first DOCSIS® 3.1+ device enables significantly increased network capacity without the need for plant upgrades while signaling the growing momentum toward full DOCSIS 4.0 technology deployments.
  • This achievement is the latest step in the evolution of CableLabs' DOCSIS technology, further underscoring the adaptability of DOCSIS technology and the importance of certification in maintaining an interoperable ecosystem.

CableLabs is pleased to announce the certification of the industry’s first DOCSIS 3.1 Plus (DOCSIS 3.1+) device supporting four orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) channels. The certified device, developed by Vantiva, represents a key milestone in advancing broadband performance and capacity for cable operators worldwide.

Strategy

CableLabs’ Connectivity as a Service: Simpler, Smarter and Always On

CableLabs Connectivity as a Service

Sanjay Patel
Senior Director, Strategy

Apr 22, 2025

Key Points

  • Connectivity as a Service (CaaS), a new service concept in the works from CableLabs, takes the guesswork — and hassle — out of network connectivity for internet service subscribers at home and on the go.
  • Because they either own and operate their own mobile networks or leverage mobile virtual network operator relationships, some broadband operators are uniquely positioned to offer CaaS.

For most consumers, staying connected to the services they rely on every day likely requires subscriptions to two separate services: a broadband service at home and another for their mobile phone when they’re away from home.

Network as a Service

Open-Source Network APIs Advance With Latest CAMARA Meta-Release

CAMARA Meta-Release

Ben Hepworth
Principal Architect

Apr 17, 2025

Key Points

  • A new release from the Linux Foundation’s CAMARA project includes 38 APIs, further helping bridge the gap between network operators and application developers.
  • CableLabs contributions fall within our ongoing work to develop Network as a Service, a standardized solution for connecting applications to network services.

Last year, we shared how CableLabs is transforming networks through open-source API solutions as part of our work in the CAMARA project. Today, we’re excited to highlight the progress made in CAMARA’s newly published spring 2025 meta-release. The new release includes significant updates across CAMARA’s expanding suite of open network APIs — and spotlights CableLabs’ continued contributions to this global effort.

Technology Vision

How Broadband Service Innovation Can Change the Game for Operators

How Broadband Service Innovation Can Change the Game for Operators

CableLabs
CableLabs

Apr 11, 2025

Key Points

  • An integrated network environment will enable broadband operators to deliver seamless, higher-quality connectivity, ultimately enhancing customer experiences and service differentiation.
  • Through collaboration with other industry stakeholders, operators can accelerate innovation and deploy new services more effectively, allowing them to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving broadband landscape while mitigating risk.

The future of connectivity will be built on networks that deliver seamless customer experiences. To differentiate themselves in the broadband market, operators must embrace relentless innovation and adaptive service models centered on network evolution, monetization strategies and enhanced user experiences.

Strategy

The LEO Satellite Revolution: Five Considerations for Terrestrial CSPs

Hans Geerdes
Principal Strategist

Mar 27, 2025

Key Points

  • LEO broadband will continue to expand and play a central role in communications, ushering in a new era of “coopetition” between satellite operators and terrestrial communications service providers.
  • CableLabs has just released a new members-only strategy brief analyzing and projecting Starlink’s capacity for broadband service, finding that the company could become a significant competitor in home broadband markets worldwide.
  • Terrestrial home broadband operators should closely monitor the competitive threat from LEO broadband while also recognizing that the technology can complement terrestrial connectivity and play a key role in service innovation.

Connectivity is experiencing a revolution. Low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband has moved with lightning speed from a futuristic concept to reality, and it’s rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern connectivity.

Wireless

  Unlocking the Power of Seamless Connectivity

Seamless Connectivity

Omkar Dharmadhikari
Manager & Principal Architect

Mar 20, 2025

Key Points

  • Seamless connectivity has become of paramount importance for operators that own hybrid network infrastructures and offer varied service offerings.
  • CableLabs’ Seamless Connectivity working group is focused on validating and understanding the gravity of the problem by simulating real-world scenarios in a lab environment.
  • The working group is now investigating solutions that could address the seamless connectivity issues. We showcased one potential solution, ATSSS, as a demo at last week’s CableLabs Winter Conference.

Seamless connectivity is increasingly becoming an integral part of the connectivity service offerings of multiple system operators (MSOs). MSOs with their hybrid network infrastructure and varied service offerings may supplement their connectivity offerings with other wireless operators — for example, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreements with mobile network operators (MNOs) — in addition to leveraging their own infrastructure. Depending on the infrastructure they own, MSOs may have to contend with disparate sets of wireless infrastructures.