Hybrid Access Networks for a Smoother Transition

Hybrid access networks are designed to provide a seamless experience for users, offering a combination of wired and wireless connectivity options. This approach can help reduce network congestion and improve overall performance.

By integrating multiple access technologies, hybrid access networks can provide faster speeds and greater reliability. In fact, studies have shown that hybrid access networks can offer speeds up to 10 times faster than traditional wireless networks.

The benefits of hybrid access networks are numerous, including improved network efficiency and reduced costs. By leveraging the strengths of both wired and wireless technologies, hybrid access networks can help organizations achieve their goals more effectively.

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Hybrid Access Networks offer several use cases and benefits that make them an attractive solution for rural areas. One of the main motivations is to provide faster Internet services where it's not cost-effective to deploy faster xDSL technologies such as G.Fast or VDSL2.

Governments in Europe, for example, required network operators to provide fast Internet services to all inhabitants with a minimum of 30 Mbps by 2020. This is a significant improvement over what was previously available in these areas.

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The hybrid approach also improves the reliability of the access link, making it less likely that customers will be left without internet access. This is because it's unlikely that both the xDSL network and the wireless network will fail at the same time.

The fast service turnup is another benefit of Hybrid Access Networks. Customers can immediately install the hybrid network access and use the wireless leg while the network operator is installing the wired part.

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Hybrid Access Networks are designed to provide faster Internet services in rural areas where it's not cost-effective to deploy faster xDSL technologies. This is because they can cover long distances between the street cabinet and the home.

Several governments, including those in Europe, have required network operators to provide fast Internet services to all inhabitants with a minimum of 30 Mbps by 2020. This is a significant goal, and Hybrid Access Networks are a key part of achieving it.

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A second use case for Hybrid Access Networks is to improve the reliability of the access link. This is because it's unlikely that both the xDSL network and the wireless network will fail at the same time.

The fast service turnup offered by Hybrid Access Networks is another major benefit. This means that customers can immediately install the hybrid network access and use the wireless leg while the network operator is installing the wired part.

Here are some key benefits of Hybrid Access Networks:

Fiber is a better option than fixed wireless for providing reliable service to multi-dwelling units, such as apartment buildings.

Using the right tool for the job is crucial, and fiber may be favored over fixed wireless due to environmental or terrain factors.

The axiom of using the right tool for the right job is particularly relevant in the context of fixed wireless providers adopting fiber.

In reverse, predominantly fiber and cable-focused providers have adopted fixed wireless access to deliver more comprehensive coverage and expand their customer base.

Major telcos are using fixed wireless to enter new markets at a fraction of the cost of laying fiber, making it a cost-effective solution.

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Hybrid Access Networks use a variety of techniques to create a seamless user experience, including the allocation of different IP addresses to wired and wireless interfaces.

The Broadband Forum has defined several deployment scenarios for Hybrid Access Networks, including the use of a Hybrid Aggregation Gateway (HAG) to balance packets sent by and destined to the hybrid CPE router over the two access networks.

In one deployment scenario, the network operator provides a hybrid CPE router to each subscriber and installs a HAG inside its access networks, which plays a crucial role in balancing packets over the two access networks.

The Hybrid Aggregation Gateway uses technologies such as GRE tunnels or Multipath TCP to efficiently use the two access links, even if they have different delay and bandwidth.

Here are some examples of commercial deployments of Hybrid Access Networks:

To make a network cloud-ready, we need to consider the infrastructure and how it will support the transition to a modern, programmable network foundation. This involves building a network that's designed to drive innovation and make it easier to migrate to the cloud.

The Broadband Forum defines several techniques for creating Hybrid Access Networks, which are a crucial step in making a network cloud-ready. These techniques include using a Hybrid Aggregation Gateway (HAG) to balance packets sent by and destined to the hybrid CPE router over two access networks.

A key aspect of cloud-readiness is the ability to efficiently use multiple access links, even if they have different delay and bandwidth. The Broadband Forum has defined two technologies for enabling hybrid CPE routers to interact with HAGs: GRE tunnels and Multipath TCP.

To illustrate the benefits of Multipath TCP, consider its ability to handle congestion and cope with reordering on heterogeneous access links. This is particularly important in wireless networks, where bandwidth can vary quickly.

Here are some key characteristics of cloud-ready networks:

Deployments of Hybrid Access Networks have been taking place since 2015. Several companies have already successfully implemented this technology.

Deutsche Telekom was among the first to deploy Hybrid Access Networks, using GRE Tunnels to achieve this.

The French ISP Free has also deployed Hybrid Access Networks in France.

Proximus, a company based in Belgium, has deployed Hybrid Access Networks in the country. Telia has deployed this technology in Lithuania and Finland. BT has deployed a related solution, Hybrid 4G Speed Boost, specifically for SMEs in the UK. Go Malta has deployed a Hybrid Access Network in Malta. KPN has also deployed hybrid Access Networks, using Multipath TCP, which has made the solution available to 440,000 addresses.

Here are some of the companies that have successfully deployed Hybrid Access Networks:

Simplifying management is a breeze with hybrid networking capabilities, eliminating the need to manage licenses or complex user policies.

Preseem provides one platform across all access technologies and vendors, making it easier for support teams to do their jobs.

With Preseem, your support team can find customers across all access types and vendors in one place, saving a huge amount of time.

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They can also determine whether an issue is in the network or the customer's home by viewing key performance indicators at a glance on each subscriber's account.

This allows support staff to get to the root cause of issues much quicker, reducing resolution time and unnecessary escalations, and giving customers a more pleasant experience when they do have to contact support.

Here are some key benefits of using Preseem for support:

Deploying hybrid networking capabilities is a breeze, no need to worry about licenses or complex user policies.

You can easily deploy hybrid networking capabilities without the need to manage licenses or complex user policies.

Having to deal with licenses and policies can be a major headache, but thankfully, this solution makes it easy to avoid that hassle.

Preseem can help your network operations team proactively find and fix issues before they affect your customers.

With Preseem, your team can identify problems at the AP, PON, and ONT levels before they start affecting your customers, saving time and resources in the long run.

Preseem's metrics and trends can be used to generate a work list to improve overall network performance and health.

Preseem can be used to easily troubleshoot possible issues such as problems with an AP or PON, backhaul problems, or trouble with CPEs, saving on training costs and improving efficiency.

Your support team can find customers across all access types and vendors in one place, which is a huge time-saver.

Here are some benefits of using Preseem for issue resolution:

By using Preseem, your support staff will be able to quickly determine if the issue is in-network or in the home, without any vendor-specific training or expertise.

Preseem can help your support team get to the root cause of issues much quicker, reducing resolution time and unnecessary escalations, and giving your customers a more pleasant experience when they do have to contact support.

Hybrid Access Networks are designed to provide optimized performance, allowing you to improve application performance even over broadband access.

Deterministic Routing and quality of service (QoS) are key components in achieving this optimized performance.

Predetermined routing schemes ensure that critical traffic is prioritized, resulting in improved application performance.

You can assign applications to up to six classes of service to help prioritize traffic and boost performance.

With Secure Hybrid Network, traffic over the PoP will have predetermined routing schemes even over broadband access, resulting in improved performance of applications.

Using a single broadband internet connection can help you reduce costs by gaining access to public and private networking.

This optimization can lead to significant cost savings and improved overall network efficiency.

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Hybrid access networks require robust security measures to protect against cyber threats. This includes implementing firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols to safeguard user data.

A secure network also involves regular software updates and patches to prevent vulnerabilities. This is crucial in preventing data breaches and maintaining network integrity.

Funding for hybrid access networks often comes from a combination of public and private sources. Governments and private companies can invest in network infrastructure and cybersecurity measures to ensure a secure and reliable service.

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Verizon Secure Network is a powerful tool for businesses looking to secure their online presence. It's supported by Fortune 500 companies, which is a testament to its effectiveness.

One of the key benefits of Verizon Secure Network is its ability to easily connect remote locations to a private network, as seen in the example of a global supply chain solutions company.

Verizon Secure Network is a reliable choice for businesses that need to keep their online presence secure.

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Billions of dollars in state and federal funds for broadband deployment and expansion have become available in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The NTIA's Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program promised $42.5B to help expand high-speed internet access across the US.

This significant funding has been a game-changer for many wireless internet service providers (WISPs). An informal poll of WISP executives at a recent WISPAMERICA event found that the amount of available funding for broadband was the primary reason for the addition of fiber.

Optimized internet services are a key aspect of Hybrid Access Networks, as highlighted in reports such as the Optimized Enterprise Internet Services report.

Secure Hybrid Network capabilities are a crucial part of these optimized services, providing a secure and reliable connection for businesses.

Third-party insights have shown that these capabilities can greatly improve network performance and reduce downtime.

By leveraging these optimized services, businesses can stay ahead of the curve in terms of network security and performance.

Preseem offers a range of benefits to hybrid network operators, simplifying their support process and improving customer experience.

Preseem provides one platform across all access technologies and vendors, eliminating the need to log into multiple vendor systems.

This simplification saves support teams a significant amount of time, as they can search for customers and view their account information in one place.

Preseem also allows support staff to quickly determine whether an issue is in the network or the customer's home, thanks to key performance indicators displayed on each subscriber's account.

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By identifying the source of issues more quickly, support staff can reduce resolution time and unnecessary escalations, giving customers a more pleasant experience.

Here are some specific ways Preseem simplifies the support process:

Deploying fixed wireless technology is a cost-effective way for regional ISPs to deliver high-speed internet to their communities quickly at a fair price.

61% of FWA subscribers are satisfied with the cost of their internet service, compared to just 51% of fiber subscribers and 35% of cable customers.

Regional fixed wireless operators are starting to "edge in" to urban markets that don't have comprehensive wireline coverage because of how cost-effective it is to rollout the technology.

FWA operators only need 2% to 1.5% market share for it to make sense financially, a totally different ballgame economically on the fixed wireless side.

However, there's also the opportunity cost to consider of not adopting multiple technologies, whether fixed wireless or fiber.

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