CableLabs will pursue a three-tiered program for qualification of Data over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 3.0 cable modem termination systems (CMTS): Bronze, Silver and Full. CableLabs said this novel CMTS qualification testing approach would waive some of the more advanced DOCSIS 3.0 CMTS requirements for the entry level of qualification as a way to encourage CMTS makers to submit gear for testing earlier than they otherwise might.
Meanwhile, DOCSIS 3.0 modems will have only one level of certification that will be representative of compliance with the completed DOCSIS modem specification.
CableLabs expects that DOCSIS 3.0 CMTSs and cable modems will be submitted as early as Q4 of this year. In the meantime, CableLabs will host a number of interoperability events.
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- DOCSIS 3.0 specifies downstream data rates of 160 Mbps or higher and upstream data rates of 120 Mbps or higher. To achieve these higher data rates, DOCSIS 3.0 describes a methodology for channel bonding in both the upstream and downstream directions. DOCSIS 3.0 also incorporates support for IPv6.