The intelligent broadband access network

As the subscriber density for broadband Internet access continues to increase, so does the complexity of the broadband access network to support these connections. The access network is further challenged as triple play services, such as video streaming, gaming and voice over IP are provided. These services can consume large volumes of bandwidth and can be very delay sensitive, which requires an evolution of the current architecture for broadband services. This paper addresses the limitations in the current broadband access network and how they can be overcome by migrating to the Intelligent Broadband Access Network. In particular, the role of the DSLAM is assessed and how it must evolve in terms of IP intelligence, capacity and QoS to support these new value added, high bandwidth services. IP awareness in the DSLAM also enables the use of Ethernet in the aggregation network, as an alternative to ATM. Ethernet, with its low cost, universal availability and simple provisioning, will contribute to the overall evolution of the DSL network.