HICKORY, N.C.—CommScope has announced that its work with Comcast in the development of its DOCSIS 4.0 Full-Duplex DOCSIS (FDX) amplifiers has passed a new milestone with Comcast generating speeds exceeding symmetrical 4 Gbps in lab testing.
The lab test used CommScope MiniBridger FDX amplifiers in a six-amplifier cascade to emulate a typical plant design.
The achievement highlights a multi-year FDX amplifier development effort between the two companies that has also resulted in the development of CommScope’s DOCSIS 4.0 OM6000 node with RD1710-X6 FDX Remote PHY Device (RPD). These two solutions will provide a cost-effective, module-only upgrade path to DOCSIS 4.0 FDX in an open-standards environment, CommScope said
In the case of Comcast, they will serve as direct upgrades to the installed base of CommScope STARLINE-series MB amplifiers and OM6000 nodes already deployed in the field—enabling Comcast to accelerate its deployment of FDX at scale with an eye toward the 10G future.
For operators, this will boost their network capacity and offer multi-Gigabit data rates in both downstream and upstream – translating to a better user experience for their customers, the company said.
Comcast has announced that it was going to begin offering DOCSIS 4.0 broadband services to consumers in select areas in mid-October.
“DOCSIS 4.0 is ushering in a new era of speed and reliability for consumers and businesses. As we begin to introduce it to our customers, we’re continuing to innovate and push the limits of what HFC networks across the globe can achieve,” said Elad Nafshi, executive vice president, chief network officer, Comcast Cable. “Leveraging our installed base of CommScope amplifiers and nodes to achieve even faster symmetrical Internet speeds helps ensure that we can efficiently deliver the best broadband experience to our customers for years to come.”
“CommScope has an incredible legacy of pioneering leadership with the DOCSIS architecture, and this milestone DOCSIS 4.0 FDX lab test with Comcast is further proof that we’re on the leading edge of HFC network technology,” stated Guy Sucharczuk, senior vice president and general manager, Access Network Solutions, CommScope. “Our line of STARLINE-Series MB amplifiers, combined with our OM6000 node and RD1710-X6 FDX RPD, will give operators a means to extend their network capabilities well into the future, leveraging their existing investments and infrastructure, while reducing costs and downtime. This is just one way that CommScope’s innovation is empowering our customers’ network evolution, whatever their chosen path may be.”
The extensive deployed base of STARLINE-series MB amplifiers can be field upgraded as a “drop-in” to the new DOCSIS 4.0 FDX amplifiers, CommScope reported. The amplifiers are designed to enable upgrades to DOCSIS 4.0 specifications with minimal disruption and plant rework, allowing operators to realize significant savings in time-to-market and cost.
Comcast and CommScope’s DOCSIS 4.0 FDX developments will be on display at the SCTE® CableTec Expo® in each company’s respective booth (CommScope #773 and Comcast #1074) from October 17-19, 2023, in Denver, Colo.
