CableLabs today published the DOCSIS 4.0 specification, which incorporates full-duplex and extended spectrum capabilities.
According to CableLabs, DOCSIS 4.0 achieves a downstream speed of up to 10 Gbps (doubling the maximum download speed available with DOCSIS 3.1 technology) and an upstream speed of up to 6 Gbps – quadrupling what DOCSIS 3.1 technology could do. The speed increases build on the capacity deployed by today’s cable operations as gigabit capable services have nearly saturated the U.S. cable footprint.
The higher speed is expected to enable cable broadband operators to deliver symmetric multi-gigabit services, significantly enhancing upstream capabilities.
CableLabs 4.0 Specification
CableLabs further expects that as cable operators continue to respond to connectivity needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work, learning and health services will benefit from the upstream broadband enhancements as DOCSIS 4.0 technology is deployed.
“With the speed increases, we intend to change the consumer broadband industry by ushering in a new era of application development,” CableLabs said in a prepared statement. “Although speed numbers are important, broadband is about so much more than speed. It’s about changing the way we collaborate to make the world a better place.”
DOCSIS 4.0 specifications are based on four pillars, according to CableLabs. The pillars include:
- Speed upgrades that offer multigigabit symmetric speeds, raising the bar for consumer broadband.
- Lower latency was incorporated into the DOCSIS 3.1 specification and has been brought forward into the DOCSIS 4.0 specification. Lower latency will provide a better experience for consumers on applications such as online gaming and multimedia.
- Increased security comes with every new DOCSIS release. Our security experts are constantly monitoring network threats to the network and taking measures to increase the confidentiality, integrity and availability of communications.
- Higher reliability must be planned into the network and DOCSIS technology takes this to a new level by including methods to proactively identify and address network issues before consumers are even aware of them.
Telecompetitor earlier reported that Curtis Knittle, vice president of wired technologies for CableLabs, said the desire for “instant gratification” will help drive the adoption of 10 Gbps.
