As the cable industry enters 2024, the high-speed connectivity landscape is poised to transform with the continued deployment of 10 grams and emerging next generation technologies. Dr. Riken Thacker, CTO and Senior Vice President at NCTA, provides a glimpse into the milestones shaping the future of the industry. This includes the deployment of DOCSIS 4.0, advances in Wi-Fi networking, seamless integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and ongoing prioritization of cybersecurity measures.
To get an overview of what might lie ahead, dive into our Q&A with Dr. Thacker below, as he shares his thoughts on the technology's trajectory in the industry.
With the ongoing rollout of 10G technology, how do you envision this high-speed connection shaping the landscape next year?
doctor. Thacker: 2024 marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of the 10G platform. 10G is a combination of technologies that provides faster symmetric speed, enhanced reliability, lower latency, and increased security. Many operators have delivered on their delivery promises DOCSIS 4.0 in 2023 Connecting more Americans to high-speed networks. I expect these deployments to continue throughout 2024.
In terms of challenges and opportunities, plant preparation and upgrading to DOCSIS 4.0 using either Extended Spectrum (ESD) or Full Duplex (FDX) will remain important. with CableLabs finished testing at an interoperability event In the last year, I also expect some operators to embrace the expanded DOCSIS 3.1 deployment as a precursor to the comprehensive DOCSIS 4.0.
Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) is expected to become more integrated into our daily routines at home and in the workplace. However, this transformation necessitates the development of indoor broadband networks, incorporating improvements in user interfaces and network capabilities to accommodate an increasing number of users.
The widespread adoption of 10G technology and the spread of DOCSIS 4.0 and fiber will increase the demand for new generations of Wi-Fi networks. Rapid adoption of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. Rapid acceptance of Wi-Fi 6E/7 will be boosted by its ability to use additional spectrum in the 6 GHz band, especially as more countries open up this frequency band.
Among other challenges, network construction will undoubtedly be shaped by BEAD/RDOF funding dependency, equipment availability, and plant construction issues.
As AI continues to advance, how do you see cable providers leveraging AI technologies to enhance their services and customer experiences in 2024?
doctor. Thacker: The importance of AI will continue to grow, especially as adaptive AI is poised to be widely integrated into a variety of networks. AI is also poised to help operators speed up troubleshooting processes, improve monitoring procedures, and proactively identify potential issues such as service outages and equipment failure.
Our knowledge and experience in using Proactive Network Maintenance tools in our systems – Ability to reliably predict where networking issues will occur and correct them before a customer is affected – It continues to grow. It will be interesting to see how AI/ML will help shape these tools in the coming years.
As cyber threats become more frequent and complex, what cybersecurity measures or strategies is the industry prioritizing in the coming year?
doctor. Thacker: The cable industry plays an important role and It remains committed to leading the way towards a safer internet ecosystem. NCTA and CableLabs are jointly developing and publicly sharing the NIST CSF Routing Security Profile. In response to NIST's call to action in its CSF 2.0 concept paper.
While the cable industry remains a leader in implementing Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), we expect other small and mid-sized operators to adopt these measures to mitigate cybersecurity threats. Known for our unparalleled cooperation with government agencies, the industry will continue to share threat intelligence and take security initiatives by working with various government agencies.
What other industry issues will be front and center in 2024?
doctor. Thacker: Demand for new wireless spectrum remains critical, and this includes the need to open up more unlicensed spectrum in order to foster significant technological growth and innovation. NTIA is scheduled to unveil its National Spectrum Implementation Plan in the coming months. This pivotal plan will define strategies for various bands relevant to the cable industry, which include 3.1-3.45 GHz, 7.125-8.4 GHz, and 37-37.6 GHz. Stay tuned.
IoT and labeling on consumer devices will be an important advance this year and we plan to keep an eye on it.
2024 is likely to be another banner year for the cable industry with advances in 10G and exceptional growth in wireless subscriptions.
