Cable operators in the US and elsewhere believe that 5G densification could boost the value of their HFC (hybrid fiber-coax) networks, since these can be used to backhaul small cells and advanced WiFi hotspots. That could simply create an additional source of revenue for the cablecos, by charging MNOs to use the lines for backhaul. Or it could help the cablecos to challenge the MNOs, by harnessing their HFC assets to lower the cost of building out localized small cell networks themselves. The interest in this topic is reflected in the latest initiative from CableLabs, the US cable industry’s R&D body, which has been increasingly active in 5G standards and regulatory processes. It has set up a Mobile Backhaul R&D…