Looking to help cablecos target business customers with better, more efficient broadband, Broadcom (News - Alert) Corp. has certified its end-to-end EPON ONU and OLT chipsets and DML software for the DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) specifications.

The qualification, developed by CableLabs (News - Alert), supports the interoperability of access network equipment based on Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) technology, so that MSOs can seamlessly integrate fiber-based access network technology to meet the high bandwidth demands of business customers as well as mobile backhaul. Broadcom collaborated with CableLabs, MSOs and industry OEMs on defining the requirements for the DPoE 1.0 specifications and co-authoring the standard.

The CableLabs DPoE 1.0 specification fully supports the DOCSIS provisioning processes, enabling new business connectivity services to be delivered over fiber access networks, yet managed similarly to conventional cable networks—so operators can preserve their DOCSIS back-office operations.

“BrightHouse Networks’ strategy to successfully introduce new business services requires a combination of the EPON fiber access solutions we have engineered and deployed since 2006, as well as interoperable standards to ensure cost-effective operations management and a larger ecosystem of product availability,” said John Dickinson, BrightHouse Networks’ senior director of network strategy and architecture. 

Broadcom’s EPON ONU and OLT chipsets work with Broadcom’s DML software, allowing cable operators to migrate their networks from 1Gbps to 10Gbps rates.

“The DPoE specifications represent a significant achievement on the part of CableLabs, cable MSOs and industry OEMs to create an open standard that achieves full vendor and equipment interoperability,” said Greg Fischer (News - Alert), Broadcom vice president and general manager for broadband carrier access at Broadcom. “This will further the growth of the cable industry by meeting the bandwidth needs of business users.”

He added, “As an early supporter of the technology, Broadcom has devoted significant resources to both the standardization process and our product portfolio to make DPoE technology available today.”