Cable MSOs have significant reach throughout residential and business locations, which positions them well for entering the small cell mobile backhaul services market. However, existing Ethernet-over-fiber demarcation devices targeted at wireline and tower operators are incompatible with the HFC plant and cannot be used unless MSOs install fiber everywhere.
The 3905 Service Delivery Switch is purpose-built for the cable MSO small cell mobile backhaul services market. It offers a DOCSIS-compatible port for integration into HFC plants, WiFi-based management port access, HFC strand mechanical mounting, zero touch provisioning and intelligent power controls.
Judges applauded "operator-friendly" features, including the Power over Ethernet Plus port, which provides data and power to subtended small cell radios; Ethernet operations, administration and management for manageability and performance monitoring; and a WiFi port for remote access so that cherrypicker trucks and ladders are not needed to lift field technicians to troubleshoot small cell radios located on walls, poles, masts, etc.
"Stick a DOCSIS 3.0 modem in there and call it a day," one judge said.