Comcast has successfully tested a prototype 10G modem that can deliver multigigabit internet speeds. The company is promising upload and download speeds north of 4Gbps (gigabits per second). That’s double the highest download speed of 2Gbps its Gigabit Pro service currently offers. The upload speed is much, much higher than the current maximum of 35Mbps (megabits per second).
According to Comcast, Broadcom built this 10G cable modem prototype, which is the first in the world. It features a Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 SoC device. The modem was connected to a virtualized cable modem termination system (vCMTS) over a lab-based hybrid fiber-coaxial network. This lab test market the “first complete network connection of all-DOCSIS 4.0 components that are required for deployment.”
“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,” said Charlie Herrin, a President at Comcast Cable. “As our 10G journey continues to accelerate, customers will reap the benefits of ever-increasing security, reliability, and speed.”
Comcast tests a 10G multigigabit cable modem
Comcast has been chasing the multigigabit cable internet dream for some time now. Back in October 2020, the company completed a trial combining a live production network using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) with the latest DOCSIS technology to deliver 1.25Gbps upload and download speeds. It then followed up with the first-ever live lab test of a 10G SoC in April 2021.
In October 2021, the broadband provider announced a successful test of a complete 10G connection using a vCMTS powered by DOCSIS 4.0 technology. The latest announcement is another major 10G milestone from the telecom.
According to the company, DOCSIS 4.0 has the potential to deliver multigigabit upload and download speeds over the connections that already exist in millions of homes globally. And the 10G technologies that it is developing will not just bring increased speeds but improved reliability, performance, and latency as well. Moreover, Comcast believes there’s still scope for dramatically increasing data transmission rates in the coming years.
“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 Elad Nafshi, a Senior Vice President at Comcast Cable.
However, there’s still a long way to go before this multigigabit cable internet dream becomes a reality. Comcast didn’t reveal when this prototype 10G modem will be customer-ready, which suggests that there’s still work to do. So for the time being, you’ll have to be content with the 2Gbps download speed its Gigabit Pro service offers. We will let you know when we have more information.
2022-01-14 15:05:52