DOCSIS 4.0 Field Trials Seen Starting by Year's End

DOCSIS 4.0 field trials could start by year's end, said Asaf Matatyaou, vice president-solutions and product management in Harmonic's cable access business, in a Light Reading webinar Thursday. He said the DOCSIS specifications and technology are ready, but the actual upgrades of cable operators' plants to allow 10G service will be a multiyear effort. Teleste Intercept Director Steve Condra said the time frame for 10G rollout varies from operator to operator. Some in particularly competitive marketplaces with high-end users "need it now," while in others could go for years before there's a critical need, he said. He said operators need to start upgrading equipment now in preparation. DOCSIS 4.0 will play a big role in the 10G rollout, but 10G is a platform requiring multiple technologies and cable operators have to have a systemwide perspective on planning, said Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers Chief Technology Officer Chris Bastian. Mike Whitley, ATX Networks vice president-access network products, said there should be lab and initial trials later this year and into 2023 of some DOCSIS components such as amplifiers, with more products coming to market in the next six to nine months.