General Instrument's SURFboardÆ SB3100 Cable Modem Receives CableLabsÆ Certification
CableLabs Certification Further Validates The SB3100's Interoperability And Demonstrates GI's Leadership In Providing DOCSIS-Based Modems
General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC Friday announced that Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabsÆ) has certified its SURFboardÆ SB3100 high-speed cable modem. CableLabs Certification means that the SB3100 modem has completed an extensive series of interoperability tests and is recognized as compliant with Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 1.0-based headends and operation support systems (OSS) equipment. The SB3100 is the second SURFboard cable modem to receive the CableLabs Certified seal, with GI's SURFboard SB2100 having received it in May 1999. The SB3100 also has received Excite@Home Level 2 approval. Together, these certifications confirm the modem's interoperability, demonstrate GI's implementation of key data networking and network management features, and validate the quality of the SURFboard modem. ""CableLabs is very pleased to certify another GI SURFboard cable modem. GI has been a strong contributor to our DOCSIS efforts for over three years, and we value its commitment to our interoperable cable modem initiative,"" said Dr. Richard R. Green, CableLabs President and CEO. ""GI is pleased to have obtained DOCSIS certification for the SURFboard SB3100 cable modem from CableLabs and the DOCSIS certification board. The CableLabs Certified seal is another valued testament to the next-generation SB3100's superior design, reliability, and performance - as well as recognition of our role in accelerating the mass adoption of cable modem technology,"" said Dan Moloney, Senior Vice President and General Manager of GI's Advanced Network and Telecom Systems business unit. The next-generation SB3100 cable modem is DOCSIS 1.1 based, which calls for advanced Quality of Service (QoS) and Internet Protocol (IP) filtering functions. QoS enables operators to guarantee - and therefore charge increased rates for - higher-speed Internet access to targeted businesses or homes demanding it. It also enables the prioritization of voice calls to support real-time Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which eliminates the delay found in earlier voice over IP technologies. GI has put a very high-speed processor, 5 times faster than its SB2100 modem, in the SB3100 to handle current and future advanced DOCSIS functions. The SURFboard product line embodies over 5 years' experience designing cable modems and 50 years in the cable industry. GI's modems offer a standards-based architecture, high-performance processors, superior RF design, operator-friendly diagnostics, and outstanding field reliability. Released by CableLabs in March 1997, DOCSIS calls for the interoperability of cable modems and associated networks manufactured by different suppliers. Interoperability speeds time to market by reducing risk for equipment purchasers and consumers and creates economies of scale for broadband network operators by creating multiple product sources. About General Instrument General Instrument is a leading worldwide provider of integrated and interactive broadband access solutions, teaming with its business partners to lead the convergence of the Internet, telecommunications and video entertainment industries.