The International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) formally approved the G.hn standard for next-generation wired home networks. All three components of the new standard — the Data Link Layer (G.9961), Physical Layer (G.9960) and coexistence protocol (G.9972) — are now complete. The first products based on this standard are expected to reach the market later this year.
G.hn is expected to simplify the home networking market, which has until now been cluttered with many competing technologies and upgrade variations. A global standard, when implemented by service providers, could lead to better and cheaper home gateways and IPTV set-top boxes.
Consumer electronics manufacturers will be able to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house. Smart Grid devices such as electricity meters, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical appliances, electrical vehicles, and lighting systems will also benefit from the reliability, security, and low-power consumption provided by the G.hn Recommendation.
“In an industry cluttered with a host of incompatible technologies, we congratulate the ITU-T for championing one standard that truly delivers anywire connectivity and next-generation performance,” said Matt Theall, president of HomeGrid Forum and technology strategist at Intel Corporation. “G.hn is the only technology platform that supports every wire in the home. We believe that consumer electronics manufacturers, PC companies, and service providers–and every group that works within these markets–will benefit from the commercial availability of this technology as it rolls out later this year.”http://
