Cisco's (NASDAQ:CSCO) Service Provider architecture for cable operators features new DOCSIS and optical networking capabilities, as well as the software defined networking (SDN) and virtualization technologies recently introduced in the company's Evolved Services Platform (ESP). Cisco's access architecture upgrades cover infrastructure, orchestration, and applications and services.

Cisco's uBR10012 CMTS has been enhanced to support 1 Gbps tiers, and the new cBR-8 Terabit CCAP platform leverages DOCSIS 3.1 to deliver 10 Gbps access tiers. Other upgrades include virtualizing CCAP elements, integration of DOCSIS and xPON into the access network for business and residential services, and virtualization throughout the network.