Increasing Broadband Reach with Hybrid Access Networks

End users and governments are forcing network operators to deploy faster Internet access services everywhere. Access technologies such as FTTx, VDSL2, and DOCSIS3.0 can provide such services in cities. However, it is not cost-effective for network operators to deploy them in less densely populated regions. The recently proposed hybrid access networks allow boosting xDSL networks by using the available capacity in existing LTE networks. We first present the three architectures defined by the Broadband Forum for such hybrid access networks. Then we describe our experience with the implementation and deployment of Multipath TCP-based hybrid access networks.