Charter’s “one node, two futures”: DOCSIS 4.0 meets PON
Vecima Networks detailed its expanded role in Charter Communications’ multi-phase HFC network upgrade, including planned deployments of Vecima’s DOCSIS 4.0 remote PHY devices (Entra ERM422) and expanded use of its remote OLTs (SF-4X) supporting both 10G-EPON and 50G ITU PON. Charter’s phased plan moves from 1.2GHz high-split upgrades to distributed access architecture with virtual CMTS, culminating in DOCSIS 4.0 and 1.8GHz upgrades intended to enable multi-gig downstream and at least 1 Gbit/s upstream across its footprint. Charter expects the upgrade to be 50% complete by end of 2026, and has indicated it will fast-track DOCSIS 4.0 in Cox territories post-merger close, while other suppliers (e.g., Harmonic) are also participating.
Key Takeaways
- Vecima’s ERM422 DOCSIS 4.0 RPD (Broadcom “unified” silicon) is in lab testing and expected to ship later in 2026; it supports dual downstream service groups and up to 20 Gbit/s combined node capacity.
- Charter is expanding deployments of Vecima’s SF-4X remote OLT, supporting 10G-EPON and 50G ITU PON concurrently on the same optical port.
- Charter’s phased plan: Phase I (15%) 1.2GHz high-split with integrated CMTS; Phase II (50%) 1.2GHz + DAA + vCMTS; Phase III (35%) 1.8GHz + DAA + vCMTS + full DOCSIS 4.0.
- Charter says upgrades are largely through Phase I and will be ~50% complete by end of 2026; DOCSIS 4.0 will be fast-tracked in Cox territories after merger close.
- The supplier mix remains multi-vendor (e.g., Harmonic for vCMTS and D4.0 RPDs), signaling an ecosystem build—not a single-stack bet.
Why It Matters
This is the cable industry’s next big play: make HFC upgrades look and behave like fiber—without rebuilding the whole plant. For streaming economics, ≥1 Gbit/s upstream and higher node capacity reduce last-mile congestion, improve upload-heavy use cases (live creator workflows, cloud gaming, interactive sports), and can lower churn driven by “fiber envy.” The bigger meme: “converged access” is going mainstream—operators want a single node that can serve DOCSIS today and selectively light PON for premium users tomorrow. That flexibility will shape regional competition, CDN edge placement, and service tiering through 2026–2028.
Read full article at lightreading.com
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