en.Wedoany.com Reported - Canadian telecom operator Videotron has selected Canadian network equipment supplier Vecima Networks to deploy the Entra virtualized Cable Modem Termination System, EN9000 Universal Access Platform nodes, and ERM3 series Remote PHY devices for its next-generation DOCSIS broadband network. This initiative will drive the evolution of Videotron's existing hybrid fiber-coaxial network toward a cloud-native, software-defined, and distributed access architecture, laying the network foundation for future multi-gigabit broadband connectivity for residential and enterprise users.
This deployment by Videotron is not simply a replacement of a single core device in a traditional central office, but rather a reconfiguration of the functional distribution of the cable broadband network. Traditional cable networks typically concentrate signal processing capabilities in the headend. As user numbers and bandwidth demands increase, centralized equipment faces challenges such as complex scaling, high space occupancy in central offices, and inefficient network configuration across different regions. The Remote PHY architecture shifts some physical layer processing capabilities down to optical nodes closer to users. Digital signals are transmitted via fiber to community access areas, where remote devices connect to the existing coaxial cable end network, thereby shortening signal transmission paths and creating conditions for increasing available spectrum and access capacity.
The Entra vCMTS will handle centralized control and data processing tasks in the new network. This platform adopts a fully containerized, cloud-native architecture, allowing dynamic allocation of computing resources based on user traffic and business scale, and integrates with the operator's existing operations and maintenance systems via application programming interfaces and command-line interfaces. Compared to traditional CMTS systems reliant on dedicated hardware, the virtualized system can run some network functions on general-purpose computing platforms, enabling equipment upgrades, capacity adjustments, and service configurations to be largely completed through software. Videotron stated that the platform must meet requirements for network scalability, operational flexibility, and performance to support the continuous evolution of its DOCSIS infrastructure.
The EN9000 Universal Access Platform nodes and ERM3 Remote PHY devices deployed at the access side will connect the fiber transport network to community coaxial cable lines. Operators can upgrade headend systems, optical nodes, and distributed access equipment while retaining a large number of existing in-home wiring, avoiding the need to re-lay all household end lines in the short term. For operators with large-scale existing cable TV and cable broadband networks, this approach allows for the gradual release of existing coaxial network capacity while preserving conditions for a future transition to higher-bandwidth technologies.
The new platform supports network evolution paths such as DOCSIS 3.1+, Unified DOCSIS, and DOCSIS 4.0. DOCSIS 4.0 expands spectrum usage, enhances upstream and downstream transmission capabilities, and adjusts network architecture, enabling hybrid fiber-coaxial networks to continue carrying multi-gigabit broadband services. The actual upgrade process also involves deploying headend computing platforms, migrating existing user configurations, retrofitting optical nodes, installing Remote PHY devices, integrating network management systems, and switching services across different regions. The project team has not yet disclosed the number of devices, coverage scale of users, or a complete construction timeline. Therefore, this announcement indicates that the technical solution and equipment system have been finalized, while the scale of subsequent construction awaits further disclosure by the operator.
From an information and communication infrastructure perspective, this project establishes a broadband access architecture of "cloud-native vCMTS—fiber transport—distributed access nodes—coaxial in-home network." Core control and computing functions are increasingly software-based, with some signal processing capabilities moving closer to the user side. This allows operators to manage networks across different regions more centrally and adjust resources based on traffic changes. With improved automation capabilities, tasks such as provisioning new services, modifying parameters, and fault localization can also reduce manual operations on individual devices.
Videotron and Vecima have maintained a long-term partnership. This next-generation network upgrade will further expand their collaboration to include the virtualized core platform, universal access nodes, and DOCSIS 4.0-ready remote devices. Key engineering milestones to watch going forward include the launch of the first vCMTS platforms, deployment of Remote PHY nodes, migration of existing users, and activation of multi-gigabit broadband services. The network's stability under large-scale operational conditions and the effectiveness of automated management will also be key areas for project validation.
