In this feature, we look back at a selection of new telecom products and services announced around or during The Cable Show in Chicago. (See Kickin' Off the Cable Show With the Cubs, Photos: The Cable Show 2011 and Photos: Cable Tchotchkes in Chicago.)

Products are classified into a small number of fairly broad categories. Click on each category name to go to the corresponding page of new product information:

• Broadband/Cable Access & Applications: The wireline access network and associated customer premises and applications. Includes DSL, GPON, WDM-PON, outside plant and tools, and some CPE such as demarcation devices and access gateways/devices for homes or businesses. Also cable technology, STBs, IPTV, and home networking systems or applications, and miscellaneous business equipment/applications relevant to access.

• Mobile Devices & Software: End-user aspects of mobility that are becoming crucial for service providers’ business strategy. Includes smartphones, tablet devices, operating systems, applications and aspects of the software infrastructure needed to exploit them, such as app creation environments and app management.

• Telecom Software & Service Provider IT: The software and IT systems hardware to operate and control telecom networks, services and businesses. Service Provider Information Technology (SPIT) includes OSS, BSS, billing systems, ad management systems, customer analysis systems, service creation environments, SDPs and policy control.

• Test & Measurement: Self-explanatory.

Also, for reference, you can click here to see our list of previous long-form features and New Product Recaps.

— Tim Hills is a freelance telecommunications writer and journalist. He's a regular author of Light Reading reports.

Next Page: Broadband/Cable Access & Applications