Deploying intelligence deeper into the access network is expected to drive economic growth and create new opportunities for businesses and consumers in the near future. This includes integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), edge compute, and smart services into every network.
Businesses can leverage these technologies to improve productivity, reduce costs, and create new revenue streams by enabling greater connectivity and access to data and services.
Increasing demand for smart services and the IoT is driving a significant need for more intelligence further into a network, particularly in rural areas with limited broadband connectivity. As a result, telecommunication companies and service providers are investing in edge computing technologies to meet this demand.
Edge computing allows data processing and analysis to occur closer to the data source, reducing latency and improving overall performance. Rural areas, in general, need to improve their broadband connections to support new and emerging technology. Thus, service providers are investing in new infrastructure, such as fiber to the home (FTTH) and DOCSIS, to improve that connectivity and support fasterdata transfer rates.
Beat the Competition with Fiber Deployments and Upgrades
With FTTH, data is transmitted over fiber optic cables. This provides higher bandwidth and lower latency than traditional copper cables, making FTTH ideal for supporting applications that require high bandwidth—such as video streaming and online gaming.
On the other hand, DOCSIS allows service providers to leverage existing coaxial cable infrastructure to deliver high-speed data services. This is a cost-effective solution to improve broadband connectivity in rural areas with fewer subscribers than cities or suburbs.
The deployment of these technologies allows service providers to improve network performance, reduce latency, and improve how they route traffic. As a result, companies and businesses that require fast and reliable connectivity will seek out service providers who can provide these assurances and offer the highly sought-after 99.99% uptime.
By default, this gives those same service providers a competitive advantage over neighboring networks waiting for equipment, and funding, or who aren’t planning on any near-term upgrades.
Revolutionizing Rural Broadband Networks
Rural networks and rural development with experience a revolution by enabling better connectivity, automation, and data collection. This change will be generated through the Internet of Things. Thus, significant impacts on agriculture, healthcare, energy, and other industries within those small towns and cities throughout America’s heartland will be realized overnight.
Here are 5 ways IoT might impact rural networks and development.
- Improved Connectivity: Many technologies can be delivered through IoT devices to connect you to the internet, including satellite, cellular, and low-power wide area networks (LPWANs). Real steps toward overcoming connectivity challenges in rural areas can be taken with IoT technology, where traditional broadband infrastructure may be limited or non-existent.
- Precision Agriculture: IoT sensors and devices can collect data on soil moisture, temperature, and other environmental factors. This data can be used to optimize crop yields, reduce water usage, and improve efficiency in farming operations.
- Smart Grids: Monitoring and managing energy usage in rural areas can be accomplished with IoT devices. Improved energy efficiency will reduce costs. Smart grids can also help to integrate renewable energy sources into the grid—such as solar and wind power.
- Remote Healthcare: IoT devices can monitor patient health remotely, enabling healthcare providers to provide care to patients in rural areas who may not have easy access to healthcare facilities. This can improve healthcare outcomes and reduce patient costs.
- Disaster Response: Natural disaster response and monitoring is possible through IoT devices, whether it’s a flood, wildfire, hurricane, or tornado. Sensors are placed in remote areas to detect potential hazards and alert emergency responders before and during disaster events.
For example, IoT sensors are deployed in the agricultural industry to monitor soil conditions, crop health, and weather patterns. This technology allows farmers to optimize operations, improve yields, and ultimately, protect their bottom line. Likewise, in the healthcare sector, remote patient monitoring devices are used to track vital signs and health indicators, improving patient outcomes while reducing the need for in-person visits and the costs associated with travel.
Smart Services and Intelligence at the Edge of the Network
By bringing intelligence to the edge of the network, rural areas can benefit from improved connectivity and access to smart services. Edge computing can also improve the performance of IoT devices by reducing the amount of data transmitted to the cloud.
Limited bandwidth is a big concern among broadband providers who have experienced rapid subscriber growth and increased device usage among current subscribers. Reducing data with intelligent processes and devices allows for more efficiency and less strain on the network.
In Delivering the Promise of IoT in Rural America, Noelani McGadden (Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Senet) explained:
“In the agriculture market alone, it is predicted there will be more than 75 million IoT devices connected by 2020, with the average farm producing up to 4.1 million data points daily by 2050. With the growth in IoT solutions for the agriculture market, the automated collection of data related to environmental conditions and other crop-related input is driving more meaningful and actionable contextualized output. This digitalization of the agricultural industry is enabling more efficient allocation and use of resources and driving process optimization for stakeholders throughout the entire global supply chain.”
Beyond agriculture and healthcare, technology enterprises and businesses can gain a competitive advantage within their markets by reducing latency and improving performance. By deploying edge computing infrastructure, applications and services run faster. Simple as that.
Industries—where small delays have significant impacts—are especially vulnerable. For example, a drop in customer satisfaction due to a poor experience within the gaming or e-commerce industry can directly affect subscriber churn, market share, and revenue.
Supporting Companies Who Rely on Reliable Internet
Telecommunication companies and service providers are deploying edge computing infrastructure to support the growing trend and internet needs with micro data centers.
By strategically placing micro data centers throughout the network, the edge nodes can host virtual machines and containerized applications. The result is smart services and IoT applications closer to the end user (i.e. a short distance to cover equals better connectivity).
Solution providers, like CCI Systems, work with operators and equipment manufacturers to ensure the “pipes” of this vast, new technology opportunity are ready to go. Carrying more intelligence deeper into the access network might sound easy, but creating a roadmap is always important.
Begin modernizing your network in 7 steps without missing a beat.
- Conduct a network assessment: The first step in developing a modernization strategy is conducting a comprehensive network assessment.
This should include an analysis and evaluation of the network’s current:
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- infrastructure
- equipment
- performance
- capacity
- reliability
- scalability
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Define your modernization goals: After completing the network assessment, the operator should define their modernization goals.
These goals should be based on the assessment and should include objectives such as:
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improving network capacity
- enhancing reliability
- reducing operational costs
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Use knowledge and expertise to develop a modernization plan: Create a modernization plan outlining the steps needed to achieve your goals.
This plan should include timelines, budgets, and a roadmap for deploying new technologies and equipment.
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Discuss and consider new technologies: Modernizing a network will require new technologies to help with the implementation.
For example, a provider may consider upgrading to PON or DOCSIS 4.0 to increase network capacity and improve performance. However, if they choose not to upgrade and stick with DSL, fixed wireless, or 5G for new services, the subscriber demand for reliability and low latency will drive more demand toward FTTH and/or DOCSIS.
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Perform upgrades to network infrastructure: Sometimes, you must upgrade your infrastructure to support new technologies and improve network performance.
This may include upgrading cables, amplifiers, and other equipment to support higher frequencies and bandwidth.
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Implement network monitoring and management: After installing a new light bulb, you typically flip the switch to ensure it lights up. This is the same concept.
Monitoring and management tools will show that your network is operating at optimal levels. Plus, the tools will help you detect, identify, and address issues before subscribers notice a disruption.
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Augment and train staff: After the new technology implementation and upgrades, you must train your staff. Otherwise, supporting the new technologies and equipment can quickly become a nightmare.
This may require training in new network management tools specific to the new equipment and technologies.
To remain competitive and meet the changing need of the subscriber, developing a modernization strategy is critical. The three advantages of selecting CCI Systems as your solutions provider are improving time-to-market, delivering expert quality, and scalability to execute your modernization goals.
Secure Your Economic Well-Being with the Right Technology
Deploying edge computing technology and driving intelligence deeper into the access network will be a vehicle of economic growth. The growth will create new opportunities for innovation and business development. 
Still—without the right technology to support that growth, your ability to implement upgrades and install cutting-edge infrastructure will be slowed.
CCI Systems has been navigating this arena for decades as a broadband solution provider. Here's how the engineers and architects on our team operate and how securing your future with intelligent solutions helps secure ours.
Expertise
Expertise and knowledge of the latest technologies and platforms, including integrating different systems, software, and hardware components to help accelerate the development process.
Efficiency
Optimizing the development process and reducing the time required for integration saves you money. They can identify potential issues and solve them quickly, reducing delays and improving the project's overall efficiency.
Scalability
Handling projects of every size and every level of complexity has required the development of resources to meet per-project requirements to drive faster delivery.
Standardization
System integrators follow industry standards and best practices to meet quality standards. They can also ensure the project complies with regulatory requirements to avoid legal issues.
Reduce Risk
Identifying potential risks allow integrators to mitigate them early in the project lifecycle. Performing thorough testing and quality assurance will lessen the chance of an error or failure in the system.
To set your company up for success, start looking at fiber-to-the-home and DOCSIS solutions to stay competitive, reduce costs, improve the quality of your products and services, and retain subscribers.
Interested in putting together the right plan for your access network? Start thinking about your network 10 years from now and continuing to be profitable.