[Barcelona, Spain, March 8, 2017] Attendees at Mobile World Congress 2017 have been able to observe an ultra-fast fiber broadband connection with a downloading speed close to 10 Gbit/s. This ultra broadband (UBB) technology can be applied to multiple services, such as ultra high definition (UHD) 8K videos, big data downloading, virtual reality (VR) and 3D, augmented reality (AR), remote healthcare, 360º television, and online gaming. These services can be used simultaneously at homes.

At Vodafone's booth, attendees are able to enjoy UHD 4K videos, while downloading data at gigabit speeds. During this process, other home services and user experience are not affected.

Vodafone Spain Plans to Upgrade Its HFC Network

Vodafone Spain announced in January 2017 that it would upgrade its hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network to offer its users symmetrical speeds, higher than 1 Gbit/s in both upstream and downstream directions. In addition to updating the existing network to a DOCSIS 3.1 one, Vodafone Span plans to use a new distributed architecture, based on which fibers are further moved downward to optical sites and greater bandwidths are provided for users. To achieve this, Vodafone Spain has adopted Huawei's DOCSIS 3.1-based distributed converged cable access platform (D-CCAP) solution.

Through network upgrade, Vodafone users can enjoy higher speeds and watch more TV channels, including 4K HD videos. The DOCSIS 3.1 network design has the following advantages:

• Higher speeds: Vodafone can expand the spectrum range and improve the modulation efficiency to increase the bandwidth per user.
• Improved operation and network quality: Vodafone can move fibers downward to achieve higher modulation efficiency and reduce noise.
• More flexibility and greater scalability: Vodafone can upgrade the HFC network based on demands or directly deploy FTTH, greatly improving network deployment flexibility.

Because of the DOCSIS 3.1 technology, users are able to enjoy symmetrical speeds of over 1 Gbit/s. Currently, DOCSIS 3.1 can deliver download speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. Simultaneously, the industry continues to develop DOCSIS to further increase upstream speeds for meeting future demands of symmetrical big data and video services.

For the development of this new architecture, Vodafone has relied on Huawei, a leading ultra broadband solution provider and is leading the way in DOCSIS 3.1 and FTTH technologies, as part of its strategy towards Ultra Broadband networks. The update of the network has already begun in the main cities in Spain and will extend to the whole territory from the next months.