Comcast and CommScope have deployed DOCSIS 4.0 Full Duplex amplifiers across all Comcast markets, enabling symmetrical multi-gigabit internet speeds for millions of homes using existing connections.

Network upgrades

The latest amplifiers are a key element in Comcast’s ongoing DOCSIS 4.0 network upgrades. According to the companies, these deployments are providing increased speed, consistency, and reliability for network performance over multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. One of the main technical advances includes an AI-driven management core, which can auto-detect and correct network events in real time, enhancing intelligence, performance, and reliability throughout Comcast’s access network.

Dan Rice, Vice President, Access Network Engineering at Comcast, said:

“DOCSIS 4.0 FDX operation brings significant value to our subscribers with symmetrical multigigabit speeds and game changing network reliability capabilities. With these enhancements, we’re able to provide the highest-quality DOCSIS 4.0 powered multi-gig symmetrical Internet services with AI optimizing our customers experience and automating our network operations. This upgrade enables us to further transform our access network and continue to boost QoS for our subscribers.”

The DOCSIS 4.0 FDX network is designed to deliver symmetrical multi-gigabit speeds for users with a range of CPE devices, along with supporting greater ingest capacity. This results in faster and more consistent connectivity for Comcast subscribers.

Manufacturer’s perspective

Guy Sucharczuk, Senior Vice President and President, Access Network Solutions, CommScope, commented on the collaboration with Comcast and the supply of new amplifiers:

“We leveraged our world-class in-house manufacturing and our commitment to putting our customers first to deliver the STARLINE FDX amplifier solution for Comcast. We’ve worked very closely with the Comcast team to meet their technical and business goals, while also ensuring that the amplifiers seamlessly integrate into their existing access network architectures.”

CommScope reports that it has shipped almost 10 million network amplifiers since DOCSIS 1.0 was introduced in 1997. The company now intends to introduce a new set of amplifiers and Remote PHY Devices (RPDs) in the coming months. These will support DOCSIS 4.0 Unified operation, which allows a single device to be used for both 1.8 GHz Extended Spectrum DOCSIS (ESD) and Full Duplex (FDX) networks.

Product integration

The new Full Duplex amplifiers have been rolled out to every Comcast market, a move that forms part of Comcast’s large-scale access network initiative. The integration of these amplifiers is intended to be seamless within existing architectures, according to both companies.

The AI-powered management core in the amplifiers is designed to offer real-time network event detection and correction, ensuring more reliable performance for end users. This customer-centric approach is cited by CommScope leadership as a priority in their ongoing hardware solutions strategy.

Industry roadmap

As network demands continue to increase, particularly with the advent of higher bandwidth applications and streaming services, both Comcast and CommScope are positioning DOCSIS 4.0 technologies as integral to supporting future services. CommScope notes that it is the only solution provider with a full DOCSIS 4.0 access technology ecosystem, including nodes, distributed access architecture modules, amplifiers, and virtual converged cable access platforms (vCCAP), stating its platform is designed to support any operator’s evolution towards 10G services.

CommScope’s upcoming product roadmap includes new amplifiers and RPDs that aim to unify DOCSIS 4.0 operations, which the company expects to provide greater flexibility and capability to service providers adapting to a rapidly evolving connectivity environment.