Nokia has announced a ‘significant breakthrough in the effort to meet surging data demand from consumers and businesses.’

Using a ‘prototype technology called XG-CABLE’ that Nokia says is ‘based on unique access technology innovations and applications developed by Nokia Bell Labs, the test demonstrates how existing cable systems can be used to deliver symmetrical ultra-broadband access services.’

Achieving 'symmetrical' services - where the network can simultaneously support 10 Gbps data speeds for both uploading and downloading content - is what Nokia says is ‘a major breakthrough for the cable industry.’

The need for high-speed upload services is ever growing, due to demand for the kind of services you expect, from HD video uploads, real-time gaming, live streaming video and virtual or augmented reality.

To make this a reality, Nokia Bell Labs says it ‘started to explore the feasibility of delivering symmetrical service over HFC cable plants in 2014.’

Demonstrating for the first time that the concept is valid and achievable, Nokia says the ‘XG-CABLE test used point-to-point cable topologies to deliver 10 Gbps symmetric data speeds over coaxial cable using 1.2 Ghz of spectrum.’

While this has definitely been achieved, Nokia says it is ‘still considered a proof of concept.’

That said, we are told that ‘XG-CABLE can easily integrate into the CableLabs new Full Duplex DOSCIS 3.1 concept, which is focused on providing cable operators with technology innovations that can transform the industry.’

More below, please read on.

By leveraging the XG-CABLE technology, Nokia says ‘operators can effectively use existing HFC cables over the last 200 meters to provide upstream speeds never before achievable due to the limited spectrum available.'

'This will enable operators to more effectively bring ultra-broadband services to consumer locations that were not physically or economically viable unless fibre was brought all the way to the residence. XG-CABLE will also provide operators with greater agility in how they use and manage their spectrum.’

Federico Guillén, President of Fixed Networks, Nokia, said: "The XG-CABLE proof of concept is a great example of our ongoing effort and commitment to provide the cable industry with the latest innovations and technology needed to effectively address the growing demand for gigabit services.

“The proof of concept demonstrates that providing 10 Gbps symmetrical services over HFC networks is a real possibility for operators; it is an important achievement that will define the future capabilities and ultra-broadband services cable providers are able to deliver."

Dr. Robert Howald, Vice President, Network Architecture at Comcast Cable, said: "While it is still early in the development of full duplex, Nokia's XG Cable proof of concept shows that multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds over HFC, as targeted in the CableLabs FDX initiative, are achievable. As we continue our DOCSIS 3.1 deployments this year, this development further illustrates the power and flexibility of the DOCSIS 3.1 as a tool to deliver next-generation broadband performance."

Here is some ‘Technical background information’

• The XG-CABLE test used two different cable scenarios:
  • Leveraging a point-to-point 100m coaxial drop cable, XG-CABLE was able to deliver 10 Gbps symmetric data speeds with 1.2 Ghz of spectrum
  • Using HFC network topologies that utilise a Fibre-to-the-Last-Amplifier (point-to-multipoint coax drop) approach, XG-CABLE was able to deliver 7.5 Gbps of symmetrical data speeds.
• Nokia Bell Lab's XG-CABLE utilises innovative echo canceling technologies developed by Bell Labs to achieve full duplex transmission of 10 Gbps upstream and 10 Gbps downstream simultaneously.

Nokia has made an ‘XG-CABLE for HFC networks white paper’ here.