As cable operators prepare for substantial upgrades to their infrastructure to meet increasing spectrum and bandwidth demands, the deployment of next-generation amplifiers (amps) and related equipment has become essential. This evolution is driving a transformation in network management, promising greater efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced service reliability.
To better understand the industry’s approach to smart amp deployment, Heavy Reading, the research division of Light Reading, partnered with us to conduct a global survey of cable operators and wireline providers. The findings, detailed in the white paper Smart Amps, Smarter Networks, provide valuable insights into current trends and future strategies.
A key takeaway from the survey is that nearly three-quarters of operators (72%) are either “interested” or “very interested” in leveraging remote network management capabilities enabled by smart amps. The survey also highlighted two primary benefits of remote management: increased network efficiency (cited by 59% of respondents) and reduced operational costs (selected by 46%).
The business imperative for remote management
To address growing demands, technology vendors are introducing next-generation amplifiers, nodes, node modules, and related equipment. These innovations support operators as they expand their Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) deployments and gear up for next-generation DOCSIS rollouts. Smart amps, in particular, are proving to be a game-changer, offering advanced remote management capabilities that enable cable operators to enhance network performance while streamlining operational processes.
Cable operators are increasingly prioritizing smarter network management strategies to optimize labor efficiency, minimize network downtime, lower system repair costs, and reduce service revenue losses. The adoption of smart amps and other advanced network devices allows operators to remotely monitor and manage their hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks, significantly improving operations and customer experience.
To do this effectively, strategic planning and investment in training and infrastructure development are also important. More than half (55%) of survey participants identified the integration of remote management across both legacy and new equipment as a hurdle.
While it’s not a surprise that transformation presents challenges, there are key areas operators should consider as they evaluate their roadmap. These include integrating remote management across both legacy and new equipment, acquiring the right data for network oversight, and training personnel to utilize upgraded management tools.
Readying for the next generation network
The survey results point to a clear trend: operators are committed to upgrading their HFC networks to support higher orders of DOCSIS technology, with over half already initiating or planning upgrades within the next year. Additionally, the role of predictive analytics in proactive network management is gaining traction, with 70% of providers expressing interest in these advanced tools.
The adoption of smart amps and remote management solutions represents a crucial step toward optimizing network performance and enhancing service delivery. Our Smart Amps, Smarter Networks white paper serves as a useful guide for operators navigating this evolving landscape of next-generation network technologies.
