Overview

• Network X 2025 was the latest edition of the annual show featuring experts across the broadband industry, key vendors, internet service providers and software specialists were all in attendance.
• The broadband access roadmap is developing, with vendors launching their latest 50G PON solutions, putting the technology firmly in the near term future. Initial deployments will likely be enterprise/industrial targeted but residential launches are expected in the longer term.
• Supplementing this broadband access upgrade is the transition to the latest in Wi-Fi technologies. Wi-Fi 8 SoCs were launched by Broadcom at the event, with some vendors demonstrating Wi-Fi 8 access points. Despite this launch the focus for ISPs currently remains on transitioning to Wi-Fi 7.
• Beyond pure hardware upgrades, AI and software is now the key differentiator for ISPs and vendors. Software solutions are becoming increasingly complex, ranging from boosting ISP operational efficiencies, improving the Wi-Fi network in homes, customer segmentations and additional end user services.
• As more use cases, including smart home automation and elderly care, become more prominent, the value of software features will increase. ISPs are ideally positioned to provide this technology and improve their offering in the home.