ABI Research Forecasts 9 Million Broadband Subscribers to Use DOCSIS 3.1 Equipment by 2017

With ultra-broadband technologies on target to become a transformative next generation solution for high speed internet, ultra-high bandwidth and faster internet speeds of 1 Gbps will be achievable when using G.fast, cable technology DOCSIS 3.1 or GPON. In fact, DOCSIS 3.1 is able to produce downstream speeds of 10 Gbps and upstream speeds of 1 Gbps when equipped with the proper devices and ideal network settings. ABI Research, the leader in transformative technology innovation market intelligence, forecasts that there will be approximately 9 million broadband subscribers using DOCSIS 3.1 equipment by 2017, representing slightly more than 1% of total fixed broadband subscriptions worldwide.

“Technology vendors like SAGEMCOM, Technicolor and Teleste Corporation already have commercial DOCSIS 3.1 solutions available in the market, which has seen strong response in the Western European region,” says Michael Inouye, Principal Analyst at ABI Research. “The DOCSIS 3.1-ready products and solutions are able to achieve 1.2 GHz bandwidth, and some, like those from Teleste, started shipping in 2014. Meanwhile, operators in the United States are showing interest, with cable players like Comcast, Cox and Midcontinent to launch their DOCSIS 3.1 networks in 2016 and 2017.”

The growing demand for broadband content and services, along with the need for enhanced quality of experience (i.e. high definition video and beyond and smooth streaming) is spurring the development of gigabit services in the market. With numerous planned trials on DOCSIS 3.1 to facilitate the commercial deployments of gigabit services, many cable companies are making the availability of DOCSIS 3.1 nearer to a reality due to its expected cost-effectiveness and scalability.

At present, ABI Research finds that interest for on-demand services is picking up faster than traditional broadcasting. In addition, European operators are facing tough competition from content providers, which, in turn, leads to a huge demand in network devices like ultra-broadband.

“European operators like Altice, TDC and Telenet likewise made inroads into preparing their networks for the launch of DOCSIS 3.1 in 2016,” concludes Sam Rosen, Managing Director and Vice President at ABI Research. “Ultimately, in instances in which corporations and homes already installed cable, it is more economical to upgrade cable services than make the switch to fiber, which gives DOCSIS 3.1 a definite advantage in the market space. Thinking ahead, enhanced deployments of ultra-broadband networks could pave the way for cable operators to migrate to a pure IPTV over DOCSIS network, abandoning legacy broadcast QAM technology. However, no major operator is publically investigating that approach.”

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Set-Top Box and Home Gateway Service, which includes research reports, market data, insights and competitive assessments.

About ABI Research

For more than 25 years, ABI Research has stood at the forefront of technology market intelligence, partnering with innovative business leaders to implement informed, transformative technology decisions. The company employs a global team of senior analysts to provide comprehensive research and consulting services through deep quantitative forecasts, qualitative analyses and teardown services. An industry pioneer, ABI Research is proactive in its approach, frequently uncovering ground-breaking business cycles ahead of the curve and publishing research 18 to 36 months in advance of other organizations. In all, the company covers more than 60 services, spanning 11 technology sectors. For more information, visit www.abiresearch.com.