During Virtual SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2021, Comcast announced it conducted what it believes to be the world’s first test of a 10G connection all the way from its network to a modem. To do this, the operator's team activated what it characterized as "another world first" – a virtualized cable modem termination system (vCMTS) powered by Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 Technology.
As noted by Comcast, a key advantage of Full Duplex and other 10G technologies is that they will unlock multigigabit upload and download speeds over connections already installed in homes worldwide, without the need to dig up yards and neighborhoods across the country.
Last week’s demonstration, conducted by the operator's technologists in Philadelphia and Denver, builds on the 10G milestones it announced in April, and last October. Key technology advancements shown, according to Comcast, included the following:
- The research team implemented Full Duplex (FDX) DOCSIS 4.0 capabilities into a CMTS, or “virtualized” vCMTS, which is an essential component of our network and will be a critical link to delivering 10G.
- In order to complete the full connection, DOCSIS 3.1 modems were configured to operate in the FDX band.
- The demonstration proves the operator's ability to upgrade its existing vCMTS platform via a software upgrade to DOCSIS 4.0 Full Duplex, and gives it the ability to deliver multi-gig upload and download speeds.
- In line with these advancements, Comcast says it continues to work on the development of a full 10G cable modem.
"Across the 10G ecosystem, from virtually every type of company involved in delivering high-speed Internet around the globe (network operators, software developers, equipment manufacturers), we’re witnessing an explosion of creative and innovative approaches to 10G. With each new milestone, we take another big step closer to transitioning these technologies from the lab to the living room," commented Elad Nafshi, senior vice president, Next Generation Access Network, at Comcast Corporation. "As proud as I am of our team for achieving this important milestone, I’m equally thrilled by the dramatically accelerating pace of innovation and development throughout the global 10G community."