Under a new 'exclusive technology collaboration,' Sercomm will partner with Harmonic on its introduction of new 'unified' DOCSIS 4.0 amplifiers that support both Full Duplex (FDX) and Extended Spectrum DOCSIS (ESD).
A technology ecosystem for future DOCSIS 4.0 networks is starting to coalesce.
Harmonic and Sercomm said Monday they've struck an "exclusive technology collaboration" to advance the ball for "unified" DOCSIS 4.0, a platform that supports both flavors of the specifications – Full Duplex (FDX) and Extended Spectrum DOCSIS (ESD).
Broadcom is currently the supplier of unified DOCSIS 4.0 chipsets spanning cable modems, nodes and amplifiers. Importantly, Broadcom announced in September that it has opened up access to its full suite of unified D4.0 chips. Prior to that, access was limited to a small group of Tier-1 cable operators that had signed joint development agreements – a group that included Comcast, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Liberty Global and Rogers Communications.
Sercomm, a company known for making DOCSIS gateways, video streamers, PON equipment and other types of customer premises equipment (CPE), said it will use the partnership with Harmonic to introduce its new DOCSIS 4.0 unified amplifiers and build on Harmonic's work centered on FDX and D4.0 unified nodes.
Sercomm announced its plans to enter the D4.0 unified amplifier market at this year's SCTE TechExpo in Atlanta. Sercomm's entry should apply some competitive pressure in the cable amplifier market as operators consider a potential move to DOCSIS 4.0. Notably, CommScope has developed an FDX amplifier that Comcast is using for its DOCSIS 4.0 network upgrade. Harmonic also has a marquee role at Comcast, which is using the supplier's nodes and virtual cable modem termination system (vCMTS). Charter has also selected Harmonic's vCMTS for its multi-phase hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) upgrade initiative.
Sercomm and Harmonic believe the partnership will help to reduce integration complexities for operators and help them streamline their transition to DOCSIS 4.0, a platform that's designed to deliver multi-gigabit symmetrical speeds alongside enhanced security and lower latencies.
"By leveraging Harmonic's leadership in DOCSIS 4.0 FDX and unified solutions with Sercomm's innovation in manufacturing and product design, we're delivering a uniquely powerful amplifier solution that will drive network performance for service providers," James Wang, chairman and CEO of Sercomm, said in a statement. "This partnership enables us to reduce the time to market for operators, accelerating the deployment of cutting-edge broadband technologies."
The timing of those deployments is still somewhat in flux. Comcast is well out in front as it moves ahead with D4.0 deployments in parts of at least ten markets and more than 1 million households. But Harmonic recently warned that it's facing spending delays as cable operators evaluate new unified DOCSIS 4.0 technologies and push out their deployment plans.
CableLabs DOCSIS 4.0 interops continue
Meanwhile, DOCSIS 4.0 interoperability work continues elsewhere. The latest DOCSIS 4.0 interop at CableLabs, held last month, saw downstream speeds in excess of 9 Gbit/s and north of 2 Gbit/s.
"The new focus is interoperability. Products are maturing, and suppliers are differentiating their offerings," CableLabs Principal Architect Doug Jones explained in this blog post.
Among participating suppliers, CommScope and Harmonic brought virtual cable modem termination systems (vCMTSs) to the interop, while three suppliers – CommScope, Harmonic and Vecima Networks – brought 1.8GHz remote PHY devices. Seven cable modem vendors (Arcadyan, Askey, Gemtek, Hitron, Sagemcom, Sercomm and Ubee Interactive) participated, as did Calian, which tested its suite of DOCSIS technology analyzers and tools.
Jones noted that CableLabs' next DOCSIS 4.0 interop is set for the week of February 10, 2025.
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