After getting off to a late start, the cable industry is now advancing in the software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) space, even leading the way in virtualizing its access networks. But, while cablecos are beginning to virtualize such key network functions and hardware as firewalls, routers, set-top boxes and even CMTS chasses, they still have a ways to go. In this session, we'll look at where cable stands in its cloud journey, what it should virtualize next and which challenges must still be overcome.

Wary of the increasing number of hacks into enterprise and consumer data networks, cable technologists are pursuing ways to protect their increasingly complex networks and their customers from cyber attacks. CableLabs, for instance, is developing a “Micronets” framework to safeguard the home network. In this session, experts from CableLabs and elsewhere will discuss what cable operators can do to keep the bad guys out.

Like other network operators, cable providers are seeking to automate their networks for a variety of reasons, including simplifying network provisioning, scaling services more efficiently, gaining more insights into their customers and cutting operational costs. They are also looking to boost bandwidth utilization and service quality. But putting AI and automation to work is no easy task. In this session, we’ll focus on where the industry stands with automation now and how operators can make strides.

In their drive to sell more 4K TVs, consumer electronics makers are embracing HDR, or High Dynamic Range, a technique that expands the range of both color and contrast significantly on a TV set. This technology makes images appear to have more depth and richness. But it puts even more bandwidth and compression demands on pay-TV providers. How can cable operators meet those demands? In this session, we’ll look at what’s possible.

While DOCSIS may never die, it's not the only transmission technology in cable's arsenal anymore. With the industry's growing emphasis on Fiber Deep and FTTH rollouts, cable operators are increasingly turning to EPON, 10G EPON and other PON flavors to move bits over their fiber-rich networks. Where does the industry stand with PON now? What kinds of trials, pilots and rollouts are happening? How will NG-PON get deployed? In this session, our experts will assess PON's prospects in the DOCSIS world.

Seeking to stay ahead of aggressive rivals like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, cable operators are busily upgrading their networks for multi-gigabit speeds, cloud-based IP video services and next-gen wireless services. But now, with the emergence of 5G technology, the big question is whether cablecos will be able to harness 5G to their advantage or find themselves fighting a rearguard action against it. In this session, we will tackle the opportunities and challenges that 5G presents for cable in an increasingly converged world and discuss how operators can make the most of it.

Like other network providers, cable operators are looking to leverage cloud computing to offer various hardware-based products as software-based services, including both residential and business services. Operators are taking this route to improve the customer experience, bring new services to market quicker, scale them easier and reduce costs, among other things. But getting started can seem daunting. In this session, we’ll explore how operators can begin putting cloud computing to work.

Now that most larger North American MSOs are wrapping up their rollouts of DOCSIS 3.1, it’s time to prepare for rolling out the next DOCSIS spec – Full Duplex DOCSIS. But that’s easier said than done because Full Duplex requires operators to extend fiber much deeper into their access networks and eliminate all amplifiers. What kind of impact will Full Duplex have on the HFC network? How can operators cope? Our experts will tackle these issues and more.

While industry technologists love to expound on their plans to upgrade and expand the cable HFC network to deliver new services, it’s at least as critical to monitor, manage and maintain the network to deliver existing services. And such maintenance work will only become more important as the HFC network becomes more complex and sophisticated. In this session, we’ll look at the key maintenance functions of network testing, measurement, fiber connectorization and cleaning.

Following years of tech trials and pilot deployments, cable operators are starting to deploy distributed access architecture (DAA) techniques for moving legacy headend functions to the access network and expanding the capacity of that network for new, more advanced services. In this session, cable technologists will discuss their latest Remote PHY, Remote MAC/PHY and related moves; the new services they plan to deliver with DAA; and the challenges they must overcome to make DAA a reality.