Nokia Bell Labs has claimed a “significant breakthrough” in the effort to meet surging data demand by demonstrating 10Gbps symmetrical data speeds over traditional cable access networks.
The proof of concept access technology, dubbed XG-CABLE, used point-to-point cable topologies to deliver 10Gbps symmetric data speeds over coaxial cable using 1.2 GHz of spectrum. Nokia says the test is the culmination of work that began in 2014.
“The proof of concept demonstrates that providing 10 Gbps symmetrical services over HFC networks is a real possibility for operators; it is an important achievement that will define the future capabilities and ultra-broadband services cable providers are able to deliver,” said Federico Guillén, president of fixed networks at Nokia, in a statement.
In its lab test, Nokia was able to deliver 10Gbps symmetrically using 1.2Ghz of spectrum over a 100m point-to-point drop cable. In its point-to-multipoint test, which reflects the topology used in HFC network deployments, Nokia was able to get a symmetrical 7.5Gbps.
The company said it is hoping to improve the echo cancellation that makes XG-CABLE possible to allow for 10Gbps in point-to-multipoint use cases.
Nokia said it would be possible for users to be upgraded to XG-CABLE as needed, once the network’s taps and splitters were upgraded to handle DOCSIS 3.1, and more fibre to be rolled out.
Nokia said a commercial solution was “a few years away”, and could increase the lifespan of HFC networks.
[ZDNet, FierceCable]
