Cable Labs yesterday released its final specifications for DOCSIS 3.0, the latest generation of cable modem technology. The much-anticipated specs will allow cable companies to better compete against fiber optic initiatives such as Verizon’s FiOS deployment, by bonding data channels together to deliver downstream data rates of up to 160 Megabits per second and downstream rates of up to 120 Mb/s.

DOCSIS 3.0 also incorporates support for IP Version 6, which gives cable companies access to more IP addresses, to enable support for more IP-based services, including interactive IPTV services.

“IPv6 implementation is a critical tool for our industry as we seek both to expand our triple play offerings and to extend into new areas,” said David Fellows, Comcast Chief Technology Officer, in a prepared statement.
“It also will allow cable operators to effectively manage the proliferation of devices that are capturing consumer interest, including portable media players, cellular phones, gaming consoles, PDAs and others.”

CableLabs is offering a new test submission option to enable suppliers to begin testing for feature compliance to DOCSIS 3.0. According to Cable Labs officials, the test option involves certifying cable modem equipment to the DOCSIS 1.1 or 2.0 specifications and running a parallel DOCSIS 3.0 “practice run” with the results enable suppliers to see where they are in terms of compliance to the DOCSIS 3.0 requirements.

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