The CableLabs Technology Vision

Driving technology development & Innovation for the Broadband industry

An image illustrating the possibilities of holographic telepresence.

A high-impact framework advancing connectivity for all

These key themes and focus areas will collectively benefit the industry by driving competitiveness, scale and alignment while also cultivating technologies for the future.

Man standing in front of a holographic building.

Skyline of a technologically advanced city

A graph depicting the past and coming phases of networking.

Entering a new era

Gone are the days of focusing primarily on speed. We are embarking on a new age of seamless experiences and networks that adapt to the needs of users and devices in real time. In setting a target for ubiquitous, context-aware connectivity and intelligent, adaptive networks, together we will drive new innovations that transform the connectivity experience.

Key Themes

The framework defines three key themes that encompass the scope of broadband technologies: Seamless Connectivity, Network Platform Evolution and Pervasive Intelligence, Security & Privacy. This offers a concise model for building adaptive networks.

Seamless Connectivity

A Context-Aware Network

Connectivity anywhere and from any device without concern for the access network technology or how the user is moving across the network. The network is context-aware and effectively invisible to the user or device while providing connectivity services that match the needs of the interaction.

Network Platform Evolution

Built for the Future

Innovations that will drive the most optimal network architectures for our members, ensuring optionality and unmatched flexibility while delivering seamless connectivity experiences to our users.

Pervasive Intelligence, Security & Privacy

Smart, Secure, Sustainable & Reliable

Intelligence at every point in the network to ensure high performance, reliability, security, and privacy for all users and devices in any connectivity context.

Focus Areas

The following core areas focus on delivering network solutions that are flexible, reliable and capable of enabling new services and improved user experiences.

Fixed Network Evolution

Innovation that pushes the limits of today’s network architectures to deliver the most advanced, flexible and performant networks

Advanced Optics

Research to ensure state-of-the-art optics solutions find their way into the evolution of our networks

Security & Privacy

Defining security policy and implementing scalable security solutions that evolve as our networks advance

Network as a Service

Offering integrations through third-party developers that can leverage differentiated network capabilities to unlock new value and revenue opportunities for operators

Learn more

Fixed-Mobile Convergence & Wireless

Driving advancements in Wi-Fi and mobile wireless communications to create the best possible experience for our members’ customers

Intelligence, Reliability & Performance

Advancing network telemetry and automation to ensure networks perform optimally and mitigate disruptions without human intervention

Advanced Research

Investigating the latest in communication protocols, new forms of computing and emerging AI technologies to determine their applicability to our network architectures

Frequently Asked Questions

CableLabs’ Technology Vision is a strategic framework designed to advance innovation and technology development in the broadband industry in the coming years. It aims to foster alignment and drive scale while developing a healthy ecosystem for CableLabs’ member operators and the vendor community. With a goal of revolutionizing connectivity, the Technology Vision sets the course for a more adaptive, intelligent network that unlocks new possibilities for operators and their customers.
By defining three future-focused themes, the Tech Vision aims to provide a concise model for building adaptive networks. The themes — Seamless Connectivity, Network Platform Evolution and Pervasive Intelligence, Security & Privacy — establish a framework for a context-aware network that is smart, secure, sustainable and reliable and built for the future. The core areas focus on defining network capabilities that are flexible, reliable and able to deliver quality services and user experiences.
Fostering industry collaboration is fundamental to CableLabs’ mission. We worked with our members to build this framework, focusing on areas that will have the most impact for them and give them a competitive edge in the industry. We are involved with organizations including ITU-T, IEEE, IETF, WBA, WFA, BBF, TIP, GSMA, CAMARA, 3GPP and others. We encourage members, the vendor community and key industry standards bodies to engage with us and one another through our working groups and Interop-Labs events. Contact us to get involved.

An Inside Look

Learn more about the CableLabs Technology Vision through this in-depth discussion between CableLabs CTO Mark Bridges and David Debrecht, VP of Wireless Technologies.