Tino Muders
Director,
Systems Engineering,
EMEA
Tino Muders directs sales and system engineering at BigBand Networks towards implementing innovative network solutions for European cable operators. Prior to joining BigBand, Tino served in various engineering capacities at ADC, always focusing on development of the company's CMTS (cable modem termination system). In addition, he has held marketing and engineering roles at Komro, a regional cable operator in Germany. Tino holds a degree in engineering and business administration from Fachhochschule Rosenheim, University of Applied Science in Germany.
Q. What is DOCSIS 3.0 and what are the potential benefits?
A. DOCSIS 3.0 is one of the most important current initiatives in the cable industry. Developed by CableLabs® and EuroCableLabs, it enables operators to expand the functionality of their networks, providing them tools needed to compete effectively with the telcos. One of the cornerstones of DOCSIS 3.0 is channel bonding, a technique that combines DOCSIS channels in the upstream and downstream directions, resulting in dramatically higher broadband rates - speeds of 160 Mbps are possible in the downstream direction, and 120 Mbps upstream. The increases in bandwidth support increasing amounts of peer-to-peer applications such as file swapping and interactive games, faster delivery of HD video, and more.
Q. Why is having an effective evolution strategy to DOCSIS 3.0 important?
A. The reality is that networks today are comprised of DOCSIS 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 equipment, and any effective evolution to DOCSIS 3.0 must leverage this existing infrastructure. The alternative, fork-lift upgrades, are simply too costly. Cable operators need a migration strategy that seamlessly blends the old and the new, since service disruptions translate into dissatisfaction and customer churn. At BigBand Networks we've applied our innovative engineering to develop a solution that allows migration to DOCSIS 3.0 without forklift upgrades.
Q. DOCSIS 3.0 without forklifts? How is BigBand Networks able to accomplish that?
A. Our innovative Modular-CMTS platform offers cable operators the least disruptive and lowest cost path to DOCSIS 3.0. The BigBand M-CMTS allows cable operators to upgrade legacy networks to DOCSIS 3.0 without stranding hardware. For example, the DOCSIS 2.0 modules used today in the BigBand I-CMTS require no hardware changes to support DOCSIS 3.0 downstream channel bonding. Additionally, the BigBand M-CMTS allows cable operators to quadruple available bandwidth to subscribers with legacy cable modems. Consequently, speeds up to 25 Mb/s can be achieved without subscribers needing to buy new modems, while broadband rates over 100 Mb/s, using new DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding modems, are supported, on the same chassis.
Q. In your view, what does the future hold beyond DOCSIS 3.0?
A. The arrival of DOCSIS 3.0 is well timed, coinciding with the burgeoning subscriber interest in accessing high-bandwidth videos on their personal computers. The recent spectacular acquisition of YouTube and emergence of equivalent companies like Metacafe, websites like Yahoo! Video and MySpace, and the increasing numbers of Internet databases allowing viewers to download blockbuster movies, all attest to this trend. DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding provides subscribers with the bandwidth necessary to enjoy high quality online video experiences. As we look beyond DOCSIS 3.0 we anticipate cable operators having an opportunity to accelerate the rollout of exciting, interactive video services, using IP-based technologies, over their DOCSIS infrastructures. BigBand Networks is perfectly positioned to address this trend with its rich heritage of video innovation and DOCSIS expertise.