ntl, the UK’s leading consumer broadband provider, is conducting field trials of a 100 Mbps access service using ARRIS’s FlexPath channel bonded technology and its Cadant C4 CMTS and Touchstone Wideband Modem.
FlexPath uses the same bonding technique as that selected by CableLabs for its DOCSIS 3.0 standard.
ntl is using the channel-bonded cable modem service to demonstrate a variety of new services, such as ultra fast downloads of large media files; security services including closed circuit television; inexpensive video conferencing; internet-based gaming; and the multicast streaming of multiple high definition television channels.
“We are delighted to have the support of our technology partner ARRIS in order to demonstrate the significant potential of our cable network,” said Kevin Baughan, ntl’s Director of Network Strategy. “Following a highly successful trial in our labs, we are looking forward to commencing field trials of the ARRIS FlexPath technology in March.”http://www.arrisi.comhttp://www.ntl.com
- ARRIS’ FlexPath uses the same Packet Bonding technique as CableLabs’ chosen approach for DOCSIS 3.0. Channel bonding is an efficient way to combine multiple DOCSIS channels together for a higher effective data rate to the subscriber. It is also expected to backwards compatible. The first release of the Wideband Cable Modem with FlexPath will support 4 bonded channels in both the upstream and downstream directions, and that number will increase with subsequent releases. Four DOCSIS 2.0 channels bonded together create over 100 Mbps in both directions, significantly surpassing xDSL data rates. ARRIS said future releases of FlexPath could support up to 32 downstream channels in a bonding group, enabling downstream data rates of over one gigabit per second to a single node. FlexPath will be deployable on the ARRIS Cadant C4 CMTS through a software upgrade, and will work on existing 2D:12U and 1D:8U cable access modules (CAM’s).