Swiss telecommunications provider Quickline has embarked on a programme to modernise its infrastructure with a virtualised broadband platform.
Quickline is the fourth-largest telecom provider and second-largest cable network operator in Switzerland, operating via a network of independent, regionally anchored partners. It currently supports 23 independent network operators across Switzerland through its nationwide backbone infrastructure, and offers internet, TV, mobile and landline services to more than 200,000 customers.
Its transition to a software-based broadband architecture is designed to create a flexible foundation for continuous network evolution, while simplifying operations and reducing power and space requirements. The shift is also intended to enable Quickline to speedily introduce fully managed broadband services for additional regional ISPs, creating new revenue opportunities.
From a technological basis, the company’s network infrastructure combines its own fibre-optic and cable backbone with partnerships on mobile infrastructure (such as Sunrise) and virtualised broadband platforms. The network transition will see the replacement of legacy cable modem termination system (CMTS) hardware with Harmonic’s virtualised cOS platform.
The managed service’s centralised architecture is designed to overcome the traditional limitations of hardware-based infrastructure and offer the ability to cut power, space and operational complexity. It can also allow Quickline to centralise network administration, streamline monitoring and maintenance, reduce operational complexity, and enhance overall service reliability.
“As a wholesale broadband provider supporting 23 regional network operators, we needed a platform that gives us the flexibility to grow and introduce new services,” said Torsten Schubert, head of network engineering at Quickline.
“Harmonic’s cOS virtualised broadband platform allows us to replace complex, decentralised CMTS hardware with a software-based architecture that can scale with subscriber demand. At the same time, it creates new pathways for us to deliver managed broadband services to our regional partners.”
These services will be delivered through a wholesale model for regional operators. That is, for Quickline to extend its fully managed broadband services to additional regional broadband providers, giving them access to a centralised broadband infrastructure without requiring them to deploy and manage their own virtualised core. This model could create a wholesale revenue opportunity for Quickline, and gives regional providers a practical path to evolve their networks.
As it was making its deployment, Harmonic noted that more operators are accelerating the move to virtualised CMTS and distributed access architecture (DAA). According to Asaf Matatyaou, senior vice-president of product at Harmonic, broadband business, adoption and deployment of DAA enabled with a virtualised broadband platform are accelerating, marking a significant shift in how operators evolve their networks.
Assessing what factors are driving this transformation and why now, Matatyaou pointed to a combination of economic pressures, competitive threats and technological necessity.
“The broadband industry is at a critical turning point,” he said. “Operators relying on legacy networks face significant risks – delaying transformation could leave them constrained by outdated infrastructure, making it increasingly difficult to stay competitive. To stay ahead, it’s essential to embrace change now.”
