IBC 2007 – AMSTERDAM. UPC is testing the DOCSIS 3 cable modem technology in the Amsterdam district of IJburg in the Netherlands. IJburg is the core of CityNet the FTTH deplyment fiercely fought by UPC, that is scheduled to complete its first phase of 40K homes in May 2008.
It is believed to be the first European test of the DOCSIS 3.0 system in Europe. The system is capable of offering speeds of up to 200 Mbps and is being run with UPC’s long-term network partner Cisco. A demonstration of the technology can also be seen on the UPC/Liberty Media stand at IBC in Amsterdam. Just a handful of homes currently have the technology available to them, although this is expected to increase over the next few weeks.
Malcolm Taylor, managing director, EuroCableLabs, cautioned that the lack of equipment meant that previous tests had not been fully compliant, as they had only been able to offer downstream channel bonding. A significant issue had been the lack of available silicon.
However, more products coming on line means that the EuroCableLabs will commence the testing process for DOCSIS 3 in January 2008 and will issue the first certifications the following March.
