During a recently concluded test wave, modems and headend gear for DOCSIS 3.0 from multiple supplying companies were found to comply with CableLabs (News - Alert) specifications.

 

CableLabs has reportedly awarded certification status for Data over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 3.0 cable modems to Ambit, Arris, Cisco, Motorola (News - Alert) for two modems, and SMC. According to CableLabs, this represents the first certification of DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems.

 

Casa Systems also received full qualification status for Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS) for two devices. CableLabs points out that this is the first qualification of a DOCSIS 3.0 CMTS, which represents complete compliance with all requirements of the DOCSIS 3.0 specification for headends. Motorola’s CMTS received bronze qualification.

 

Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast (News - Alert) Corporation and chairman of the CableLabs board of directors, noted in a statement that they have now achieved successful certification testing for a system of very high-speed cable data products.

 

Roberts indicated that this is a great accomplishment, ensuring that cable customers will continue to have access to the fastest Internet service available, along with access to more advanced service offerings.

 

CableLabs president and CEO, Dr. Richard R. Green, congratulated the successful vendors and the CableLabs staff who have worked so hard to help their industry bring the goals and objectives of the DOCSIS 3.0 project to fruition. He believes this is a great success for their industry and demonstrates how adopting a flexible program can speed solutions to their business.

 

For those unaware, the DOCSIS 3.0 specifications enable downstream data rates of 160 Mbps or higher and upstream data rates of 120 Mbps or higher. DOCSIS 3.0 reach the higher data rates through channel bonding in both the upstream and downstream directions. DOCSIS 3.0 is also backward compatible with all existing DOCSIS products.

 

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), another key element of DOCSIS 3.0, allows cable operators to effectively manage the proliferation of devices that are capturing consumer interest. These include portable media players, cellular phones, gaming consoles, PDAs and others.

 

Cable Television Laboratories is a non-profit research and development consortium. Founded in 1988 by members of the cable television industry, the consortium is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and to helping its cable operator members integrate those advancements into their business objectives.