ATX ‘2050 Project’ Survey Charts Transformation of Cable Industry in DOCSIS 4.0 Era

Findings from the fifth-annual HFC evolution study highlight an increase in the number of technology options and competitive pressure since the introduction of DOCSIS 4.0 specifications in 2019

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ATX Networks, a global leader in broadband access and media distribution solutions, today announced the results of its latest 2050 Project Survey, unique primary research that tracks the long-term evolution of the Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) network. The annual survey provides MSOs with insights into what their peers are planning when it comes to technology upgrades and other issues impacting their current and future competitive standing.

The 2025 edition of the survey documents a near unanimous perception among cable professionals that the industry has changed significantly over the past several years, primarily related to the number of technology options that currently confront MSOs and the growing fierceness of competitive threats. The survey also shows an uptick in recognition that network reliability is now nearly as critical as speed and capacity in retaining the loyalty of existing subscribers. Energy efficiency and sustainability, especially as they relate to standby power solutions, are also attracting growing interest among MSOs, survey findings revealed.

“The HFC network remains an incredible asset that MSOs can quickly and cost-efficiently upgrade and evolve to meet the current and future needs of broadband subscribers,” said ATX CTO and GM of Access Networking Jay Lee. “ATX launched the 2050 Project Survey five years ago to help MSOs keep on top of annual fluctuations in technology and business trends as they navigate an increasingly daunting number of technology and architectural choices.”

This year’s results suggest that MSOs are still sorting through the potential impact of an extended version of DOCSIS 3.1 on the timing or even the necessity of DOCSIS 4.0 adoption. While MSOs are neither accelerating nor slowing the pace of their HFC-to-FTTH migrations, which was the major motivation for ATX’s 2050 Project HFC evolution initiative, a significant number of survey participants indicated an interest in pivoting future investment toward PON technology.

The 2025 Survey was based on the opinions of more than 120 cable professionals, the majority of which are in North America.

Key findings from the 2025 survey include:

• More than 30% of respondents believe that the HFC network will eventually support frequencies of 3GHz or higher
• Half of cable professionals expect the speed and capacity of DOCSIS 4.0 to be insufficient to meet the needs of broadband users by 2035
• More than half of cable professionals say their companies will activate DOCSIS 4.0 in their HFC networks by the end of 2027
• A quarter of survey takers said that the expanded bandwidth capabilities of DOCSIS 3.1 diminished the importance, or at least the urgency, of migrating to DOCSIS 4.0
• Nearly half of survey takers say their company has No plans to or has Yet to start integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology into network maintenance and customer care operations

“I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the ATX 2050 Project Survey,” said Patrick Murphy, CTO of Astound. “Given the number of industry professionals contributing to it, I find it immensely valuable in understanding broader engineering perspectives and refining our roadmap for modernizing our networks."

Other topics covered in the 2050 Project Survey, ATX’s fifth, include industry attitudes toward the adoption of advanced intelligence in the outside plant and its impact on improving network reliability and operational efficiency. Industry professionals also offer their opinions on the timing and methodology of upstream spectrum allocation and speculate on the maximum frequency of the HFC network.

ATX will conduct a webinar that summarizes survey findings and offers expert analysis on Thursday, April 3, at 11 AM EDT. In addition to Lee, webinar participants will include ATX access networking executives and outside plant experts Mike Whitley and Brad Nikkari.

A copy of the 2025 edition of the 2050 Project Survey Report can be downloaded here. For more information about ATX’s intelligent outside plant and energy storage solutions, please visit www.atx.com.

About ATX Networks

ATX Networks is an innovation leader in broadband access, media distribution and sustainable energy storage. ATX’s market-leading and award-winning solutions are based on Agile Innovation design principles, enabling communications service providers to futureproof and evolve their networks in lockstep with market demand and in compliance with environmental standards. ATX partners with the world’s most innovative cable, satellite, fixed telecom, wireless and media broadcast service providers to improve people’s lives by enabling affordable and reliable broadband connectivity and media content for everyone, everywhere. For further information, visit ATX at www.atx.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.