Fiber-to-the-home is part of AT&T and Verizon Communications’ plan to compete with cable, but the cable companies are defending their turf with new standards that are set to speed-up data delivery. Data over cable service interface specification is migrating to a new standard, DOCSIS 3.1, which promises download speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second over cable.
“Cable operators want to be able to compete with fiber solutions, and it allows them to go to multigigabit data offerings over their current (hybrid fiber-coaxial) network,” explained Jay Kirchoff, VP of marketing at Broadcom. Broadcom said it has launched one of the industry’s first DOCSIS 3.1 chipsets, combining the modem with its 4×4 MU-MIMO Wi-FI chips.
“You get the gigabit access over DOCSIS and then you can distribute that video content with carrier-grade quality all around your home with this next-generation Wi-Fi,” said Broadcom CTO Henry Samueli. Broadcom said this week that it was seeing throughput of up to 4 Gbps with its CES DOCSIS 3.1 modem demo, and that the spec allows for 5 Gbps per second in Broadcom’s current configuration.
Cable operator Comcast, which is planning to acquire Time Warner Cable, has said it will use Broadcom’s modem to offer faster cable speeds to its customers. The operator said that its customers will see 1 Gbps speeds this year.
DOCSIS chips represent a significant opportunity for wireless chipmakers. Research firm Infonetics reports that 89 million DOCSIS 3.0 CPE units were shipped during the 12 months ending in August, and that during the third quarter, DOCSIS 3.0 gateway revenue increased 14% from the second quarter. DOCSIS 3.1 chipsets are designed to interface with DOCSIS 3.0 solutions so that operators can upgrade gradually.
Broadcom is not the only chipmaker preparing for the next generation of DOCSIS. STMicroelectronics also demonstrated the technology this week at CES, and Intel is working on DOCSIS 3.1 solutions.
Broadcom CTO Henry Samueli shares Broadcom’s CES 2015 highlights:
