AT&T has selected HomePNA 3 technology for in-home distribution of its U-verse services, including its forthcoming IPTV offering, high-speed Internet, and VoIP.
HomePNA 3 technology will be integrated into IP set-top boxes supplied by Motorola and Scientific Atlanta and Residential Gateways supplied by 2Wire as key components of AT&T’s U-verse deployment.
AT&T said it chose the technology following extensive testing in AT&T Laboratories and other test environments.
“Based on our research, we believe HomePNA 3 technology is the best option for distributing IP-based video services inside customers’ homes,” said David Deas, vice president–networks & services, AT&T Laboratories Inc. “The ability to work over both coaxial cable and traditional phone lines is a key advantage and we look forward to working with the industry to enhance and standardize the technology.”http://www.att.com
- The HomePNA 3.0 spec, which was standardized by the ITU in May 2005, reaches a data rate of 128 Mbps with optional extensions reaching up to 240 Mbps. It also features a deterministic QoS mechanism so that it can be used as a high speed backbone for distributing multiple, feature-rich digital audio and video applications throughout a home. The QoS technology permits users to assign specific time slots for each stream of data guaranteeing that the real-time data will be delivered when it is required with predetermined latency and without interruption, allowing HomePNA V3 to transport data with inherent QoS requirements such as IEEE1394.
- In March 2006, the HomePNA alliance announced plans to extend the 3.0 specification to deliver up to 320 Gbps over existing wires in homes. The HomePNA 3.1 specification is intended to provide the highest speed option for in-home distribution of new triple-play services such as IPTV.
- In December 2005, AT&T awarded a $43 million, one-year contract to 2Wire to supply its new IP-based residential gateways for the forthcoming AT&T U-verse suite of services.
- In September 2005, AT&T (formerly SBC Communications) announced an agreement with Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta to provide set-top boxes for AT&T U-verse TV. These set tops will connect to the residential gateway to deliver the IP video to TVs.
- In June 2006, AT&T began offering its “AT&T U-verse” services in San Antonio — its first IPTV market. AT&T expects to offer its U-verse services in 15 to 20 markets (metropolitan statistical areas) within its traditional 13-state wireline area by the end of 2006.
