Broadband Forum Outlines BroadbandSuite 3.0 Plan

The Broadband Forum, formerly the DSL Forum, unveiled its BroadbandSuite 3.0 plan. This includes specifications for triple-play delivered via GPON and bonded DSL over a QoS-enabled Ethernet architecture, and remote management beyond the gateway to address video and storage devices.


BroadbandSuite 2.0, released in 2007, provided a roadmap for triple-play access via ADSL2plus, but over the past 12 months, the Broadband Forum has responded to an industry need for the ability to deliver triple-play services, such as IPTV, over a variety of different access technologies.


The Broadband Forum said key capabilities of BroadbandSuite 3.0 include triple-play augmented via GPON and bonded DSL over a QoS-enabled Ethernet architecture; full support for multicast to IPTV streaming; and integrated remote management of set-top-boxes (STB) and attached storage devices.


"With over 17 million IPTV subscribers around the world -- two and half million in the US alone -- the ability to offer triple play services is essential if a service provider is to remain successful in such a competitive market. However, different geographical areas and landscapes demand different access technologies. The Forum understands these demands and is working hard to establish specifications that cover the range of access technologies, from DSL to fiber, ensuring Quality of Service and Quality of Experience for all customers, wherever they are. We believe that our BroadbandSuite Release Plan, which provides a clear and concise blueprint, is the way to do this," said George Dobrowski, President and Chairman of the Broadband Forum.http://www.broadband-forum.org