Nokia demos first 10 Gbps full duplex DOCSIS 3.1 XG-CABLE

Nokia’s Bell Labs division has announced what it claims is a world-first lab test of XG-CABLE, a technology that promises 10 Gbps symmetrical data speeds over Hybrid Fiber Coax cables using full duplex DOCSIS 3.1 technology.

XG-CABLE is still at the proof-of-concept stage, with CableLabs having first previewed the full duplex tech back in February. Full duplex is a technology that overcomes interference problems to allow symmetrical data transfer – i.e. full speed in both directions. A similar concept is being championed by Kumu Networks for wireless data.

“The XG-CABLE proof of concept is a great example of our ongoing effort and commitment to provide the cable industry with the latest innovations and technology needed to effectively address the growing demand for gigabit services,” said Federico Guillén, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia. “The proof of concept demonstrates that providing 10 Gbps symmetrical services over HFC networks is a real possibility for operators; it is an important achievement that will define the future capabilities and ultra-broadband services cable providers are able to deliver.”

“While it is still early in the development of full duplex, Nokia’s XG Cable proof of concept shows that multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds over HFC, as targeted in the CableLabs FDX initiative, are achievable,” said Dr. Robert Howald, VP of Network Architecture at Comcast Cable. “As we continue our DOCSIS 3.1 deployments this year, this development further illustrates the power and flexibility of the DOCSIS 3.1 as a tool to deliver next-generation broadband performance.”

Meanwhile G.fast specialist Skipio has unveiled a technology called Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation, which they claim is the world’s first G.fast solution to deliver up to 1.5Gbps in combined upstream and downstream performance by dynamically allocating the bandwidth in each direction in real time. This apparently allows a service that offers 750 Mbps in each direction to ‘feel’ like 1.5 Gbps of total performance.

“With dynamic bandwidth allocation, we believe AT&T can offer up to 750Mbps in both downstream and upstream performance over coax with today’s chipsets,” said Eddy Barker, Assistant VP of Technical Design & Architecture at AT&T. “In the next generation G.fast chipsets, we should be able to double that target, achieving as much as 1.5Gbps in each direction.”

“DBA is a G.fast game-changer,” said Tim Fell, VP of Video & Broadband Services at TELUS. “In the race to deliver ultra-fast broadband, the ability to offer affordable symmetrical services will give telcos the flexibility required to meet our customers evolving high speed Internet needs.”