The Path to Next-Generation Access Networks
Broadband access networks are undergoing a years-long transformation: Chassis-based, monolithic solutions are being replaced with flexible, cloud-native, and virtualized components, delivering more efficient, agile, and scalable networks.
As with any evolution, the transition demands learning and iteration. Success hinges on three principles: Reliable. Flexible. Simplified.
Reliable
Billboard speeds once drove subscriptions. But today, with usage growing 10 to 25% annually, reliability—not peak speed—is the top factor shaping customer choice. Studies consistently show that connection reliability is the key determinant of customer satisfaction and churn.
Next-generation networks must be architected for high availability from the ground up. But one-size redundancy doesn’t fit all. Instead, match the resiliency model to the component:
- N:1 for high compute data plane functions where cost and space need to be optimized at scale
- 1:1 where full backup is necessary and practical
- three-way consensus mechanisms for distributed components that operate widely across cluster(s) and need to maintain consistency
Next-generation access networks built on cloud-native components leverage deployment flexibility to support accelerated disaster recovery and geo-redundancy. When sparing involves simply adding flexible compute resources in a common centralized facility, service restoration after local outages becomes faster, simpler, and more scalable.
Flexible
There is no magical universal architecture—each network has diverse access technology, management tools, and division between local, regional, and centralized infrastructure inherited from years of growth and acquisition. That diversity demands a highly flexible approach built around these tenets:
- Interoperability – avoid vendor lock-in and support multi-vendor solutions across every layer of the network
- Heterogeneous deployment – disaggregating management, control, and data planes allows a mix of bare metal servers, private cloud, and public cloud tailored to suit facility plans now and into a consolidated future
- Scalable clusters – expand servers one at a time to minimize incremental upgrade cost and right-size infrastructure in each facility
- Mixed hardware generations – support clusters where those incremental server additions allow multiple generations to simplify deployment, reduce generational swap costs, and add more efficient solutions given 12 to 24 month server cycles
Simplified
Flexibility can increase complexity in the network. Simplifying next-generation access networks is critical for the service provider by applying these principles:
- Modern interfaces – Use open, well-defined APIs to streamline integration, including: NETCONF/RESTCONF + YANG for configuration; OpenAPI interfaces help with BSS integration; and OpenTelemetry for AI data processing pipelines addressing observability and analytics.
- Automation – The integration of multi-vendor solutions naturally drives complexity. Applying automation is key to simplifying this. Automation key principles include integrating automated test suites into the upgrade cycle to test and deploy new releases faster, and supporting simulation in a digital twin environment to validate tools and workflow updates at scale before migrating to production.
The Vecima Entra® Cloud portfolio is built around these three principles to empower service providers on the path to next-generation access networks: Reliable. Flexible. Simplified.
Colin Howlett,
Chief Technology Officer,
Vecima
Colin Howlett is a technology innovator and broadband industry leader with over 25 years of experience in network architecture, distributed access solutions, and video delivery systems. As Chief Technology Officer at Vecima Networks, he is responsible for defining technology strategy and product innovation, leading a team of product architects to develop next-generation virtualized broadband access, content delivery, and commercial video solutions for operators worldwide.
Learn more at- vecima.com
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