2020.09.18 – Open Broadband News

Building broadband bridges: Broadband Forum help close the gap between measurements and reality

A new open source project to develop the new broadband speed test that will deliver more accurate results for a vastly improved broadband user experience has been launched by Broadband Forum.

Described as a game-changer for broadband measurements, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Speed Test will quantify and verify ‘ultra-fast’ broadband, using updated methods and metrics which are more suited to the gigabit services now being deployed. UDP is a communication protocol used across the Internet for especially time-sensitive transmissions, such as video playback, and is increasingly being used in new transports, such as QUIC

The speed test’s adoption will be fostered through an open source implementation, with the base running code provided by a leading US network operator, AT&T. Several major international and US operators are also already signed up and backing the project.

“Broadband quality of experience (QoE) was already important to consumers even before COVID-19, but since the crisis the consumer’s understanding of QoE has risen to new levels – especially when the service isn’t meeting their expectations,” said Michael Philpott, Research Director, Service Provider – Consumer at Omdia. “Network metrics such as speed, latency and jitter are critical to delivering a good broadband experience and service providers must invest to make sure they are meeting all of these criteria if they are to supply the services of the future.”

Pandemic casts a spotlight on the need for rural broadband

CommScope’s Morgan Kurk, Executive Chief Technology Officer and Dave Wright, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Network Standards, recently joined a podcast to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the digital divide in a new way and underlined the need for rural broadband.

With schools now in session, delivering broadband to students and teachers in rural areas is even more critical – on top of the need to provide a reliable Internet service to employees working from home.

Kurk and Wright discussed how operators are addressing the challenge of closing the digital divide, and how Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and the Universal Service Fund can support programs to address rural connectivity. Listen to the podcast in full here.

A future with broadband connectivity is in Openreach

As part of a new tranche of build work that will begin in March 2021, BT-owned UK national infrastructure provider Openreach has announced a further 67 locations in its Fiber Cities programme.

The new locations stretch across the country – from Alloway, Ayrshire to Helsby, Cheshire and Ivybridge, Devon – and the build of the Fiber-To-The-Premises (FTTP) broadband technology will take place over the next two years.

The new programme means that overall, more than 560 towns, cities, boroughs, villages and hamlets have now been included in the company’s Fiber First programme as part of a £12bn project to build full-fiber technology to 20 million premises throughout the UK by the mid- to late 2020s.

In its commitment to deliver nationwide gigabit-capable broadband by 2025, the UK government said such next-generation connectivity as this has the potential to revolutionize communities and make them more attractive places to live, giving people the freedom to live and work more flexibly and help to develop thriving digital economies.

Moldova, there is a new broadband leader in town

It has been revealed that Moldova ended the second quarter with around 690,000 fixed broadband subscribers. This, according to data published by the regulator ANRCETI, was 2.9% more than at the end of last year, with growth being driven by both Fiber-To-The-x (FTTx) and coaxial cable.

Fiber connections accounted for 69% of subscribers and DOCSIS 8.3%. Meanwhile, the number of xDSL subscribers fell by 4.9% to around 155,000 and those connected to other technologies by 1.4% to 1,700.

Revenues of the 99 active fixed broadband providers in Q2 amounted to MDL344.7 million, equal to €17.35 million, or 1.6% than in the corresponding period last year.

Fibrus win for homes across Northern Ireland

Broadband provider Fibrus is set to be awarded a £165m broadband project by the Department for the Economy, which aims to improve rural internet connectivity.

It has also been revealed that up to 80,000 homes are set to benefit from access to superfast broadband across Northern Ireland. The tender process has now entered a standstill period after the appointment of a preferred bidder.

The official announcement is expected before the end of September, provided the final formalities of the tender progress unhindered.

The total funding for Project Stratum is £165m, with £150m coming from the confidence and supply agreement deal signed between the DUP and the Conservative Party in 2017.

Broadband Forum needs you!

Do you want to help shape the future of broadband? If so, why not become a Broadband Forum Work Area Director?

Broadband Forum is seeking the appointment of leaders for the following Work Areas:

• Access and Transport Architecture
• Broadband User Services
• Fiber Access Networks

The terms will last for two years, beginning from January 2021. To submit a candidacy statement, follow the instructions provided on Broadband Forum Members’ Wiki. The closing date for submissions is 28th September 2020 at 5pm Pacific Time.

For more information about what a Work Area Director’s role will entail, please visit: https://wiki.broadband-forum.org/display/BBF/Work+Area+Directors.

A Series of Fortunate Events – by Broadband Forum

Reality check: The State of PON in the MSO Market

Broadband Forum’s PON reality check 2020 series of webinars has concluded to keep the industry updated on the latest innovations influencing fiber today.

In the latest edition of the BASe webinar series, the Forum was joined by an expert panel of leading cable operators and vendors from Europe, North and South America, highlighting their vision and preferred PON technologies plus the challenges and opportunities when migrating and complimenting their existing HFC/DOCSIS investment.

The latest webinar took place on Thursday, September 10 at 7.30am PST, and the ‘State of PON in the MSO Market’ webinar featured presentations from Liberty Global, Telecom Argentina, CommScope, and Calix.

View the recording here: https://www.broadband-forum.org/meetings-and-events/the-state-of-pon-applications-in-the-mso-market-base-series-webinar

Virtual Broadband World Forum 2020 – discounted participation for BBF members

Broadband Forum will join the Virtual Broadband World Forum (BBWF) event on 13-15 October 2020. BBWF is offering Broadband Forum members the opportunity to participate in this major industry event at a reduced rate.

As a key, long-standing partner to Broadband World Forum, Broadband Form will remain a major contributor to the conference content.

Broadband Forum members interested in being part of the Interop Pavilion will enjoy the following perks:

• A discounted rate for a Broadband Forum pod at a fraction of what it would cost to display on the show floor independently at £2,900
• 2 x full access delegate passes for the conference
• 10% off from any full price exhibitor package

To find out more about features, capabilities and functionality of a virtual stand.  BBWF invites you to view a demo here: https://tmt.knect365.com/bbwf/client-demo-your-guide-to-the-virtual-platform/\.

For additional enquiries or to book a Broadband Forum pod, please contact Tamas Szuts on tamas.szuts@informa.com or +44 (0) 207 017 4260.

Virtually back to BASe-ics

Broadband Forum has confirmed the dates of its next vBASe sessions. It will host its first ever virtual demo at Broadband World Forum, from October 13-15, showcasing the latest developments of its OB-BAA initiative. A panelist session on the Connected Home, along with a live Q&A, will also be held.

vBASe North America will then take place on October 26, with a theme of “2020 Lessons, 2021 Reality”, while vBASe Australia will see Broadband Forum team up with nbn to provide three weekly 90 minute sessions to deliver a market update.

The vBASe series continues for the first-ever virtual UFBB 2020 during the weeks commencing November 16 and 23. vBASe UFBB will cover the theme of ‘The Technology Leaders’ and will see three virtual sessions on Market Update, Access technology and Connected Home technology.

Read – or watch – all about it!

From 5G and the smart home to next-generation access and network automation, Broadband Forum is working on a series of initiatives to enable the next era of connectivity.

If you would like to track or get involved in these projects, you can learn more about Broadband Forum’s work in progress here or visit its YouTube channel for further insight.

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