Cable to Fiber: A New Era of Broadband Deployment - ETI
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October 30, 2024

Cable to Fiber: A New Era of Broadband Deployment

The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.

In an episode of the Broadband Bunch podcast, Dan Gledhill, Senior Vice President of Broadband at Harmonic, is interviewed live from Connected Britain 2024. With over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Dan brings a wealth of insights into the state of broadband, sharing his journey with Harmonic and the innovations that are redefining the relationship between cable and fiber. As Harmonic pivots from a strong legacy in cable to a new role in fiber, Dan shares how the company is helping operators provide faster, more efficient broadband, and discusses the emerging impact of open access networks, standardization, and automated network solutions.

In this episode, Dan discusses the shifting broadband landscape, focusing on the convergence of cable and fiber technologies, key differences between the U.S. and U.K. broadband markets, and Harmonic’s role in helping operators deploy broadband more efficiently. With open access networks as a central theme, Dan discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with deploying fiber, especially in high-density markets and underserved rural areas.

Dan’s Journey with Harmonic

Dan begins by recounting his move to Harmonic two years ago, where he joined the business unit to support Harmonic’s pivot from cable into the fiber broadband space. He explains that the company’s strong engineering culture has been instrumental in allowing him to shift Harmonic’s focus toward fiber, providing the technical foundation needed to serve new markets while still supporting their cable customers. With a background in helping operators deploy more efficiently at companies like Vecima, Dan’s mission at Harmonic is to build fiber products that meet the market’s evolving needs.

For Dan, the transition from a cable-centric to a fiber-inclusive company was relatively seamless due to Harmonic’s strong technical foundation. As he explains, much of the work revolved around refining the messaging to reflect fiber’s capabilities, rather than fundamentally overhauling the company’s approach. He notes that Harmonic’s core technologies in distributed access and open ecosystems have allowed them to address fiber customers’ needs with relatively minor adjustments.

The Evolution of Open Access Networks and Convergence

A significant focus of the discussion is on the rise of open access networks, which allow multiple ISPs to share the same infrastructure, making it easier and more affordable to serve larger numbers of subscribers. Dan explains that Harmonic’s focus at Connected Britain 2024 is to help fiber providers working with open access networks develop more streamlined fiber-to-the-home ecosystems. Open access models are becoming increasingly popular in high-density regions like the U.K., where infrastructure-sharing allows more ISPs to serve subscribers without duplicating physical networks. This approach not only reduces costs but also accelerates deployment times, allowing providers to reach more customers faster.

Dan highlights that in the U.K., the primary focus is on maximizing network density to reach as many subscribers as possible, while in the U.S., operators often face the challenge of extending broadband to rural and remote areas. This difference in market focus has led to varying approaches to open access. In the U.K., operators have built high-density networks where providers can compete over shared fiber infrastructure, while in the U.S., the focus is often on rural broadband initiatives, where the challenges of distance and lower population density make open access networks essential for viability.

According to Dan, the convergence of cable and fiber is reshaping broadband deployment in both markets. Harmonic’s ability to support multiple access technologies, including DOCSIS, G-PON, XGS-PON, and 10G EPON, allows operators to manage various technologies from a single, unified core. This “OneCore” approach enables operators to integrate new technologies with legacy networks without creating operational silos. Whether through expanding existing cable infrastructure or deploying new fiber, operators benefit from a more flexible approach that allows them to support multiple technologies and adapt to market changes with less disruption.

The Importance of Standards in Driving Down Costs and Enabling Growth

One of the key points Dan emphasizes is the role of standards in making open access networks more feasible. In the U.K. and across Europe, groups like the Broadband Forum have established standards that ensure compatibility and interoperability across different network components, creating an open ecosystem that allows providers to select network and in-home devices independently. This approach, referred to as “Open OLT,” has allowed European markets to create more competitive, adaptable networks, while also driving down costs for operators.

Dan suggests that the U.S. market could greatly benefit from adopting similar standards, which would help operators reduce operational expenses (OPEX) and capital expenses (CAPEX). By creating open standards, operators can more easily integrate new vendors, leverage best-in-class technology, and avoid vendor lock-in. Dan believes that standardization will play an essential role in making broadband networks more flexible and scalable, especially as demand for high-speed internet continues to grow. He points out that Harmonic has actively engaged with the Broadband Forum to help bring similar standards to the U.S., fostering a more open and competitive broadband ecosystem.

Automation, Unified Network Cores, and the Path to Operational Efficiency

Beyond standardization, Dan highlights the importance of automation and unified core networks as essential components of a scalable broadband strategy. Harmonic’s OneCore solution supports multiple access technologies through a single platform, allowing operators to manage DOCSIS, G-PON, and other technologies from a unified interface. This approach minimizes operational silos and reduces the need for specialized teams to manage legacy technologies, making it easier for operators to scale and adapt to new demands. With unified core technology, Harmonic provides operators with the flexibility to integrate new technologies without overhauling their networks, a critical advantage for companies planning long-term growth.

Dan explains that automation is another vital component of Harmonic’s approach to streamlining broadband deployment. Automated processes allow operators to reduce manual tasks, expedite deployment, and improve accuracy across their networks. In rural deployments, automation helps operators handle the unique challenges of managing longer networks with fewer customers, while in urban settings, it enables providers to handle dense, high-traffic networks more efficiently. For Dan, automation is central to Harmonic’s mission of helping operators deploy broadband faster and more affordably, without sacrificing quality or customer experience.

The U.S. and U.K. Markets: Different Challenges, Shared Goals

Dan goes on to compare the broadband markets in the U.S. and U.K., each of which has unique challenges and regulatory environments. In the U.K., the focus on high-density, urban networks allows operators to serve larger numbers of customers with fewer resources, while in the U.S., the broadband expansion often requires longer networks to reach rural subscribers. These differences shape how operators in each market approach open access networks, with U.K. providers focusing on urban areas and U.S. operators leveraging government programs like BEAD to expand rural connectivity.

According to Dan, one of the biggest lessons the U.S. can learn from the U.K. is the importance of creating standards for open access networks. In Europe, open standards have allowed operators to select their network components independently, reducing costs and fostering competition. Dan believes that a similar approach in the U.S. could help operators deploy broadband more affordably and efficiently, especially in rural areas where costs are higher and margins are thinner.

The Future of Broadband Deployment

As Dan looks to the future, he sees continued convergence between cable and fiber as essential for driving broadband growth. With technologies like Harmonic’s OneCore, operators can support multiple access technologies, allowing them to adapt to changing markets without overhauling their networks. This flexibility will be especially important as demand for high-speed internet continues to grow, both in high-density urban areas and rural communities.

One of the biggest challenges, Dan notes, will be increasing subscriber adoption rates, especially in markets where broadband networks have already been deployed. Operators will need to focus on differentiating their services, providing a superior customer experience, and delivering on the promises made to communities and investors. For Harmonic, this means continuing to innovate with solutions that help operators deploy broadband faster, more affordably, and with a focus on customer satisfaction.

Redefining Broadband for a Connected Future

In this episode of the Broadband Bunch, Dan Gledhill provides an in-depth look at how Harmonic is helping reshape the broadband landscape through open access networks, standardization, and automation. As the broadband market continues to evolve, Dan emphasizes the importance of flexibility, convergence, and customer experience as key drivers of success. Whether through streamlining fiber deployments or enabling operators to leverage multiple technologies through a unified core, Harmonic is at the forefront of a new era in broadband, helping operators meet the demands of a more connected world.

© 2024 Enhanced Telecommunications.

About the Author

Priscilla Berarducci - Sales and Marketing Coordinator

Priscilla manages digital content and supports sales/marketing efforts for ETI. She also serves as brand manager for the Broadband Bunch podcast where she books industry professionals who want to share their broadband stories.