Cox Communications CTO Kevin Hart has outlined major changes to his MSO's network, which includes plans to extend fiber to a node-plus-zero configuration and deploy DOCSIS 3.1.
"We're also taking fiber deeper as a part of our multi-year network transformation plan, working towards a node-plus-zero architecture that allows us to take fiber to the home, and allows us to bring gigabit speeds on demand. And of course we're aligning around DOCSIS 3.1," Hart told Light Reading.
Hart told the pub that Cox plans to conduct its first DOCSIS 3.1 commercial trial in the fourth quarter in one of the company's smaller markets, with deployments set to take place between 2017 to 2020. Likely modem vendors will be Arris and Technicolor, he added.
Comcast has been aggressively touting its expansion of fiber to the node, as well as its ongoing rollout of DOCSIS 3.1. This is the first time privately owned Cox has described similar plans. Reps for the company didn't immediately respond to FierceCable's inquiry for further comment.
Meanwhile, after skipping the first generation of Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) integration, Hart said Cox is ready to dive into the market.
"We're in the final stages here over the next couple of months," he said.
Of course, deep fiber deployment is useful for any MVNO deployment implemented by Cox down the road. But it's unclear what that play might be.
Last week, Cox spokesman Todd Smith confirmed that the cable company did have the option to implement an MVNO agreement with Verizon (NYSE: VZ) as part of its participation in SpectrumCo, but decided not to act on that option. He said the option has now expired.
For more:
- read this Light Reading story
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