Nokia and ZCorum streamline cable operators’ fibre transition

Nokia and ZCorum have developed a DOCSIS Provisioning Adapter (DPA) application for streamlining cable operators’ fibre transition.

The DPA application will enable cable operators to utilise their existing DOCSIS-based provisioning system to provision an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and subscriber services on an ITU-based Passive Optical Network (PON). This development comes as cable operators increasingly seek to upgrade their networks to fibre, which offers superior performance, scalability, and reliability.

For many Multiple System Operators (MSOs), the transition to fibre often necessitates the implementation of a next-generation fibre management solution. However, for those looking for a more gradual shift from their DOCSIS-based Operations Support Systems (OSS), the software-based DPA offers a seamless pathway. This approach not only simplifies the evolution to Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) but also helps distribute adoption costs and accelerate time-to-market.

Geert Heyninck, VP and GM Broadband Networks at Nokia, said: “As the industry leader in PON, Nokia is ideally positioned to assist cable operators in moving to next-generation networks, enabling them to deliver the best possible service to their subscribers.

“The DPA app we are developing with the OSS experts at ZCorum will offer our customers a simple means to ease their transition to FTTH and attain a more competitive position in their markets.”

The Nokia DPA functions as an interworking function, or translation layer, bridging the gap between the DOCSIS-based management system and Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller. Altiplano is an open and programmable platform that provides a comprehensive suite of network management functions and software-defined networking (SDN) controls for Nokia’s Lightspan PON networks.

Julie Compann, President and CEO at ZCorum, explained: “ZCorum has been serving DOCSIS and fibre operators since the time those technologies first launched, so developing DPA is a natural project for our company.

“Cable operators recognise the benefits of migrating to fibre, but also have a significant investment in their DOCSIS infrastructure. DPA will allow them to focus on fibre deployment where needed, without the need to immediately deploy a second provisioning system. We are pleased to be working with Nokia and their team to make that possible.”

Nokia expects the DPA application to be available for lab trials by the end of 2024. Upon its broader introduction, the Nokia DPA will be offered through the Altiplano Marketplace.

The Altiplano marketplace provides operators with access to a catalogue of ready-made automation tools and network analytics to optimise their broadband network performance. Furthermore, Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller platform offers operators and third-party developers – like ZCorum – access to open APIs and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for developing value-added applications.

Jeff Heynen, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group, commented: “While cable operators are upgrading their networks in various ways, virtually all are deploying PON-based FTTH networks in greenfield. Many are also overbuilding their whole network with PON or strategically adding it into their legacy HFC networks. 

“MSOs will benefit from and welcome any tool that makes it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to deploy PON. Certainly, Nokia’s DPA will do just that.”

The partnership between Nokia and ZCorum will help to simplify the transition to fibre for cable operators. As the industry continues to evolve, solutions like the DPA application will play a crucial role in enabling operators to meet the growing demand for high-speed, reliable broadband services.

(Photo by Pawel Czerwinski)

See also: AI era dawns for data centres with Nokia’s EDA platform

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Tags: broadband, cable, connectivity, docsis, fibre, Networks, nokia, zcorum