DOCSIS 3.1 We’ve already heard a lot about what to expect from this next-generation cable technology, with promises of data speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second. The introduction of DOCSIS 3.1 will level the playing field between fiber-only providers and MSOs, and likely affect spending on provisioning systems and capital expenditure (CAPEX) for some time. Expect DOCSIS 3.1 to be front and center in discussions for the year ahead.
Managing Bandwidth. This has been an issue from 2013 that service providers will continue been struggling with for some time. I predict that 2014 will be a year of fine-tuning and deploying usage policies, where service providers will need to decide how users pay their fair share in the face of rising demand. Bandwidth caps, fair usage policies, service add-ons, and other incentives are all likely to play a role here. Broadband Technology Report recently released their predictions for video trends in 2014 and it seems most operators agree that video — whether it’s OTT content or additional video services — will continue to drive changes in cable.
IPv6 Deployments. No, I don’t mean that IPv6 is dead — or even unimportant. It is still vital that we all make a shift towards an IPv6 world. However, over the past 12-18 months more providers have been in the labs testing their deployments and I’m confident that we are slowly but surely becoming ready for the storm, with more providers prepared for a dual stack world. Expect to keep hearing about IPv6 in 2014 — it just won’t be with the same sense of panic as previously.
I’d love to hear your broadband predictions for 2014 will hold for service providers. Email info@incognito.com to share your views.