New SCTE•ISBE Standards Group Targets Proactive Network Maintenance

SCTE•ISBE has created a Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) Working Group within its standards program.

The group, which will strive to create standardize PNM solutions, is also aligned with CableLabs on the aim to provide operational practices, guidelines, and training focused on the effort.

As part of the SCTE•ISBE Standards Program’s Network Operations Subcommittee, the new working group will standardize PNM technology for operations and in the field that will encompass in-home networks (including wireless, optical and in-home wired platforms such as MoCA), consistent guidelines and tools across all networks, and a common framework and architecture designed to accelerate operational use of PNM metrics.

Larry Wolcott, fellow and distinguished engineer for Comcast and PNM expert, has been appointed chair of the group, whose first meeting is set for Tuesday, May 9.

“CableLabs has been developing and testing new PNM technologies and use cases,” Chris Bastian, senior vice president and CTO of SCTE•ISBE, said in a statement.  “Our new PNM Working Group will expedite the introduction of these new PNM solutions that improve employee and customer experiences, as well as the performance, functionality, and economics of all types of MSO access and in-home networks.”

“Preventive maintenance has been a guiding principle for a long time in cable, but consistently enacting a proactive culture requires more than tools and technology,” added Curtis Knittle, vice president of wired technologies for CableLabs. “The creation of the SCTE•ISBE Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) Working Group brings together the research and tools developed by CableLabs and the operational experience of MSOs to ensure that art and science converge in a way that can translate to useful practices.”

“We’re committed to using tools and technology to enhance the reliability of our network and improve customer experience,” said Wolcott.