By Stuart Thomson
Comcast says it has successfully tested a prototype ‘10G modem’ using Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 technology.
The lab test saw a Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 system-on-chip cable modem built by Broadcom deliver upload and download speeds faster than 4Gbps, powered by what the US service provider describes as 10G network technology.
The announcement is the latest in a series associated with the 10G initiative kicked off by Comcast.
In October, the company tested what it described as a complete 10G connection using a virtualized cable modem termination system (vCMTS) powered by DOCSIS 4.0. That followed a live lab test of a 10G SoC in April 2021 and a trial delivering 1.25Gbps upload and download speeds over a live production network using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) combined with the latest DOCSIS technology in October 2020.
The 10G initiative builds on the work Comcast has done over several years to build a smarter, more virtualized network.
Connected by Broadcom 10G technology, the latest modem test utilized the DOCSIS 4.0 FDX SoC device, which Comcast demonstrated last April, to pair with two cable modem chips to deliver the breakthrough performance. These were successfully connected over a lab-based hybrid fiber-coaxial network to the vCMTS operating in DOCSIS 4.0 mode. T
According to Comcast, this represents the first complete network connection of all-DOCSIS 4.0 components that are required for deployment. It said that the demonstrated speeds – which were faster than 4Gbps upload and download – are expected to increase significantly as developers refine technology at every level of the 10G architecture.
“The great strength of our smart network design is that we are able to exceed our customers’ demands today, even as we continuously evolve to meet the needs of the future. As our 10G journey continues to accelerate, customers will reap the benefits of ever-increasing security, reliability, and speed,” said president of technology, product, experience at Comcast Cable, Charlie Herrin.
“With each new milestone, we get a clearer picture of how 10G technologies will unlock the next generation of speed and performance for millions of people worldwide,” said EVP and chief network officer at Comcast Cable, Elad Nafshi.
