Comcast and CommScope announced today that for the first time CommScope’s® Full Duplex (FDX) DOCSIS® amplifier is now live serving customers in Comcast’s network. With the deployment of FDX amplifiers, Comcast will be able to seamlessly deliver multi-gig symmetrical services along with enhanced reliability, security and performance, to customers served by the vast majority of its current network architecture.
“At SCTE Expo last year we were excited to announce the first deployment of multi-gig symmetrical service to Comcast customers, and in the months since we have turned scaled DOCSIS 4.0 FDX into a reality,” said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast. “With this first CommScope Full Duplex (FDX) DOCSIS amplifier live in our network, we are positioned to accelerate the pace of our FDX DOCSIS 4.0 deployment. This pioneering smart amplifier will enable us to deliver multi-gig symmetrical services and leverage industry-first imbedded AI capabilities to deliver unprecedented intelligence, service automation and reliability across our network.”
Since launching FDX DOCSIS 4.0 in October 2023, Comcast has scaled the offering to more than one million homes across six markets and expects to continue to accelerate the pace of activation.Amplifiers are a critical component to realizing FDX DOCSIS 4.0 across Comcast’s footprint, with the current network architecture utilizing up to a six-amplifier cascade to reach customers with multi-gig symmetrical services. With this first successful deployment of CommScope’s FDX amplifier, Comcast has a clear path to delivering an unparalleled network experience to homes and businesses across the U.S.
CommScope delivered the first prototype Full Duplex DOCSIS (FDX) amplifiers to Comcast’s advanced technology labs in February 2023. In the following months, Comcast and CommScope undertook significant systems testing to understand and implement technology improvements in advance of this deployment.
“I am extremely proud to see these major deployment milestones come to fruition with Comcast after our multi-year FDX development efforts,” stated Guy Sucharczuk, SVP & President Access Network Solutions. “CommScope continues to push the envelope of DOCSIS technology to extend the utility of customers’ HFC cable access networks. These deployments demonstrate CommScope’s unique capabilities as both a leading RPD Node and RF Amplifier solutions provider.”
“Building a future-proof network demands that we’re continually evolving and refining our hardware and software to support ever-increasing customer demand,” continued Nafshi. “CommScope is a long-standing leader in technology development to support next generation connectivity. Their FDX amplifiers and RPD nodes afford us the flexibility to seamlessly upgrade legacy hardware or deploy hardware where it makes sense for us and our customers, while delivering all the capacity, power and longevity we’ll need into the future.”
About the Technology
This milestone represents the first field deployment of STARLINE® Full Duplex (FDX) DOCSIS amplifiers, which use Unified DOCSIS 4.0 silicon technology, in Comcast’s network. Comcast has also begun deploying CommScope’s Opti Max® OM6000® FDX node, which utilizes the RD1710-X6 Remote PHY Device (RPD).
CommScope’s FDX nodes and amplifiers operate in the upstream on a traditional 5-85 MHz mid-split upstream band. In FDX operation, however, both upstream and downstream traffic share the same spectrum, which begins at 108 MHz and extends to 684 MHz. FDX operation uses this shared spectrum dynamically by “directing” portions of the shared spectrum toward the upstream or downstream band based on traffic demands. This dynamically shared spectrum is used to increase the bandwidth that is available for upstream signals.
CommScope will demonstrate its STARLINE FDX amplifiers and OM6000 FDX nodes at SCTE® TechExpo24 in Atlanta, Georgia, September 24 to September 26. CommScope will also unveil its next-generation Unified FDX DOCSIS RD1710-U6 RPD, which supports both Extended Spectrum DOCSIS (ESD) and FDX operation via unified chip technology, and finally, a live 3GHz DOCSIS proof-of-concept demo at TechExpo24 Booth 1321.
Stop by booth #1321 at SCTE TechExpo24 to see demonstrations of these and other CommScope solutions.
CommScope and the CommScope logo are registered trademarks of CommScope and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. For additional trademark information see https://www.commscope.com/trademarks.DOCSIS is a registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. SCTE is a trademark of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Inc. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About CommScope:
CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) is pushing the boundaries of technology to create the world’s most advanced wired and wireless networks. Our global team of employees, innovators and technologists empower customers to anticipate what’s next and invent what’s possible. Discover more at www.commscope.com.
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This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: CommScope
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