Marvell Semiconductor, Inc., one of the largest global semiconductor companies, is the newest member of HomeGrid Forum, a global, non-profit trade group promoting technologies based on the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union's (ITU-T) G.hn standard. Marvell will join BT, Intel, Lantiq, Sigma Designs (News - Alert), Telefonica, Texas Instruments, and others on the board.

"With the connected always on lifestyle, consumers anticipate the growth of intelligent, connected devices in the home, and seamless connectivity for all these devices is key," said Gani Jusuf, Vice President of Product Development, for Communications and Consumer Business Group of Marvell (News - Alert) Semiconductor, Inc, in a statement. "Marvell delivers a comprehensive total solution platform for 'connected mobile' experiences. G.hn technology complements Marvell's existing total connectivity solutions already being deployed in the home and access markets, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet and cellular. Marvell is pleased to join the HomeGrid Forum Board of Directors and we believe, moving forward, the G.hn standard will be the key for power line, as well as coax and phone line, communications. Marvell continues to drive standards that provide internet and broadcast connectivity options to the world over various media including G.hn based wire line communications."

The G.hn is a worldwide standard that unifies the networking of content and devices over any wire—coax cable, phone and power lines. G.hn enables service providers to deploy new offerings, including IPTV (News - Alert), more cost effectively and securely; allowing electronics manufacturers to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation and security products throughout the house; and greatly simplifying consumer purchasing and installation processes.

"As a networking leader, Marvell's recent acquisition of DS2 (News - Alert) places them in a very strong position to deliver G.hn products," said Michael J. Palma, senior research analyst for consumer semiconductors and Electronics Manufacturing Services at IDC, in a statement. "As part of the HomeGrid board, Marvell will help accelerate the delivery of G.hn solutions to customers in the systems and telecom space that are becoming increasingly interested in deploying G.hn-based platforms."

"Marvell's strong endorsement of the G.hn family of technologies and HomeGrid Forum is the latest indicator of the strong momentum G.hn has been building for the last 24 months," said Matt Theall, President of HomeGrid Forum. "Marvell joins HomeGrid Forum at the right moment, as more and more companies are transitioning away from today's proprietary wired networking technologies to G.hn technology, which is accepted globally as the leading technology for wired home networks and the Smart Grid."

Want to learn more about Smart Grid technologies? Then be sure to attend the Smart Grid Summit, collocated with TMC’s ITEXPO East, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. The Smart Grid Summit is the first event of its kind to address the unprecedented opportunity coming from the intersection of two core building blocks of our economy – utilities and communications. This unique event is based on the joint vision of TMC and Intelligent Communications Partners (News - Alert) to create a new forum for and actively engage an entire community. To register, click here.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jamie Epstein