TIA Releases New Central Office Evaluation Strategy Paper

New paper outlines considerations for the future deployment of Information and Communications Technology Equipment

Arlington, VA (October 25, 2018) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks today released a new position paper “Central Office Evaluation Strategy For Deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Equipment.”

Next generation networks and 5G implementation will require traditional central offices – where communications lines are connected and switched — to function more like data centers. As users now expect much more functionality to support IoT devices and services that require faster speeds, service providers are requiring much more from their central offices, integrating functionality to create a Smart Central Office where the wireline, fiber, and mobile worlds come together to connect. This paper begins to outline the transition of central offices to support these needs.

“The technology landscape is constantly evolving as the world races toward a 5G future,” said Harry Smeenk TIA’s Vice President of Program Development. “TIA and its members are at the forefront developing best practices for making communications equipment smarter to meet these demands.”

“Next generation services coupled with the roll-out of 5G are driving the need for central offices to evolve for the deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Equipment, and the challenges can only be addressed through industry collaboration,” said Hany Fahmy, AT&T Assistant Vice President of Global Public Policy. “We are glad that TIA is able to put forward this first thinking with exemplar configurations on how to deploy ICT in central offices.”

“The evolution of the network, driven by consumers’ demand for quick data, means data centers need to be hosted closer than ever to users and functioning in milliseconds.  This is where the traditional central office and new technology of data centers come together,” said Mickey Driggers CenturyLink’s Property Protection Manager.

TIA and its members are on the forefront of developing practices, guidelines, and standards for the infrastructure, connectivity, and environmental requirements of smart central office transformations. This position paper outlines key considerations as the communications industry begins defining, developing and consolidating central offices to data centers.

The paper is available to TIA members and the general public free of charge here.

Contact

Ashley Simmons, 703-907-7704, asimmons@tiaonline.org

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents more than 300 companies that enable high-speed communications networks and accelerate next-generation ICT innovation. Through leadership in U.S. and international advocacy, technology programs and standards development and business performance solutions, TIA and its members are accelerating global connectivity across every industry and market.