Comcast has unveiled a new initiative called Janus that aims to virtualize the company’s core network and enhance its broadband services. The announcement was made during the SCTE TechExpo show in Atlanta. Janus will enable Comcast to move away from using proprietary, purpose-built hardware and instead shift the management and control of its core routing, switching, and transport network functions to its edge cloud platforms.
This will support new AI and machine learning capabilities designed to improve network reliability and performance. The initiative is initially being tested in Atlanta using network cloud software developed by DriveNets and a “white box” platform from UfiSpace. Comcast is also employing a new generation of disaggregated, pluggable optics from multiple vendors across its core network.
Elad Nafshi, Comcast’s chief network officer, said in a statement, “Data usage continues to skyrocket at unprecedented rates, primarily due to the rapid increase in streaming high-quality live sports.”
Following the trials in Atlanta, Comcast expects a widescale rollout of Janus in 2025, supporting both residential and business customers.
Comcast enhances core network virtualization
The initiative aims to boost Comcast’s Internet platform and increase capacity, particularly for high-demand activities such as streaming live sporting events.
Janus coincides with Comcast’s deployment of DOCSIS 4.0, which enables multi-gigabit speeds with lower latencies, higher security, and improved network reliability. Initial DOCSIS 4.0 markets include Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Colorado Springs. Virtualizing the core network, which reduces power and cooling needs, aligns with Comcast’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
In addition to Janus, Comcast is also deploying Qwilt’s Open Edge platform to bolster its edge network and content delivery. This deployment aims to increase capacity at the edge while reducing latency for live streaming and online gaming. The Qwilt deployment follows Comcast’s enhancement of live streaming services during the Summer Olympics in Paris for X1 video customers.
Comcast’s low-latency approach delivered 4K streaming with higher bit rates, equipped with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos spatial audio.
