The Broadband Forum outlined a number of initiatives aimed at empowering next generation access solutions in a variety of technologies, including ADSL2plus, VDSL2 and GPON. Specifically, the Broadband Forum is extending its testing and conformance efforts, encouraging the evolution of access technologies. This work includes:
- Recent enhancements to the ADSL2plus functionality test plan (TR-105 Corrigendum 2)
- Introduction of the new VDSL2 test suite (TR-114/TR-115 and TR-138)
- Development of a new Vectoring best practices white paper (MD-257)
- Recently added GPON interoperability abstract test development and testing being performed in conjunction with Full Service Access Network (FSAN). This work includes ongoing Plugfest events, open to all FSAN and Broadband Forum equipment and chipset vendors.
- Additional fiber-related work is also moving forward addressing EPON.
The Broadband Forum has also undertaken a body of work to help service providers migrate to a more flexible, IP and MPLS-based mesh network. This pending release will be based on TR-144 "Broadband Multi-Service Architecture & Framework Requirements" and anchored by key work in progress, such as WT-145 "Broadband Architecture Requirements" and WT-223 "Requirements for MPLS over Aggregated Interfaces". A new white paper associated with this work is also in development titled "Unified MPLS: Enabling next generation transport and services using MPLS-TP".
"Our role is to ensure that the industry has all the specifications and tools it needs to optimize networks, advance interoperability, and ultimately to capture the full potential of broadband worldwide," says Robin Mersh, COO of the Broadband Forum. "These new initiatives and joint efforts will provide those tools needed to expedite the migration to the next generation broadband network."http://www.broadband-forum.org
