Vodafone Germany taps Aurora, HUBER+SUHNER for cable upgrade

Aurora Networks and HUBER+SUHNER have been selected by Vodafone Germany to upgrade its cable network. The project focuses on distributed access architecture and virtual CMTS technology.

Vodafone Germany will use Aurora's vCCAP Evo platform and QAM video systems, while HUBER+SUHNER will supply Remote PHY devices. Aurora will also serve as the end-to-end systems integrator for the distributed access architecture, or DAA, deployment.

The upgrade uses a Remote PHY approach that shifts some network processing closer to end users. In cable networks, that is intended to improve speed and reliability while making better use of existing hybrid fibre coax assets.

The technology has already been deployed in Vodafone Germany's live network, indicating the project has moved beyond trials into active operational use.

Network shift

DAA has become a major investment area for cable operators looking to modernise legacy networks without replacing their entire access footprint. By relocating functions traditionally handled in centralised facilities, operators aim to increase capacity and ease migration to higher-speed broadband services.

Virtual CMTS technology is part of that shift. Instead of relying solely on hardware-based cable modem termination systems, operators can run CMTS functions in software on commercial off-the-shelf servers, potentially reducing space, power use and management demands in headend sites.

For Vodafone Germany, the combination of Aurora's software platform and HUBER+SUHNER's Remote PHY devices is intended to support multi-gigabit services across its cable network. The project is also designed to support future network expansion while reducing power consumption in central facilities.

Michael Rabes, Director of Fixed Access Engineering at Vodafone Germany, described the work as part of a broader relationship with the two suppliers.

"We are excited to be working with Aurora Networks and HUBER+SUHNER," said Michael Rabes, Director of Fixed Access Engineering, Vodafone Germany. "The collaboration with Aurora Networks and HUBER+SUHNER is long-term and promotes future cooperation. The DAA and vCMTS technologies have been deployed in the live network. Our joint efforts will help Vodafone deliver a reliable and high-quality cable network assuring the best user experience to its customers today and in the future."

Supplier roles

Aurora, a Vistance Networks business, is supplying the vCCAP Evo virtual CMTS platform and QAM video technology. Its role also includes integration of the full DAA system, drawing on experience migrating networks from traditional hybrid fibre coax architectures to distributed models.

In practice, that includes centralised provisioning, configuration and monitoring of DAA devices across the access network. Running those functions on standard servers can reduce rack space requirements in the headend compared with older, hardware-heavy CMTS setups.

Guy Sucharczuk, SVP & President of Aurora Networks, said Vodafone was joining other operators using the company's virtual CMTS software.

"We're thrilled to welcome Vodafone to our expanding roster of global operators that have adopted vCCAP Evo," said Guy Sucharczuk, SVP & President, Aurora Networks. "vCCAP Evo will enable Vodafone to significantly optimize the performance of its network, deliver multi-gigabit services to subscribers and to realize significant energy and cost savings in the headend. By choosing Aurora Networks as the end-to-end DAA solution system integrator, Vodafone will benefit from the extensive and diverse expertise of our Professional Services team who have helped network operators design, deploy, expand and evolve their networks for more than two decades."

HUBER+SUHNER's contribution centres on Remote PHY equipment with software interoperability. Remote PHY devices are a key part of DAA deployments because they move physical-layer functions from the headend to nodes closer to customers, reducing analogue optics in the network and supporting a more distributed architecture.

The Swiss supplier has a long-standing presence in cable network equipment, and the Vodafone project builds on earlier work in analogue optical and RF systems.

"This partnership is an important continuation of our support as the cable network solution provider for Vodafone," said Jürgen Walter, COO Communication Segment, HUBER+SUHNER. "Many analogue optical and RF technology solutions from HUBER+SUHNER have helped evolve Vodafone's cable network during the past decades. We look forward to using our deep and mature knowhow to further increase network quality and performance for Vodafone's cable network customers in Germany."

The agreement highlights how established cable operators are combining software-based control platforms with distributed hardware to extend the life of existing infrastructure while preparing for rising bandwidth demand. In Germany, Vodafone is doing that through a live deployment built around DAA, virtual CMTS and Remote PHY technology with Aurora and HUBER+SUHNER.