Infinite Broadband Unlocked (IBU) is a licensing programme aimed at improving the economics of offering multi-gigabit services via distributed access cable architectures, employing Remote PHY (RPHY) technology. Unlike traditional licensing models for converged cable access platform (CCAP) devices, which require cable operators to purchase large numbers of new bandwidth licences for every service group where they want to offer the expanded service, IBU has only one licence type based on bandwidth consumption. Thus, cable operators can provision the capacity of their CCAP platforms without restrictions or upfront licensing expense.

IBU licensing is aligned to the number of subscribers across the network, so licence investment is highly aligned to revenues.

“IBU helps cable operators be more competitive and gain subscriber market share,” said Sean Welch, vice president and general manager, Cable Access, Service Provider Business, Cisco. “We have listened carefully to our customers, and with this new offer we have specifically focused on making DOCSIS licensing simple and aligned with their business objectives.”