Liberty Global has introduced a next-gen data/voice gateway equipped to handle 1 Gbps broadband services and integrated WiFi.
The device, which will be locally branded by Liberty Global, will enable broadband download speeds of up to 1 Gbps using EuroDOCSIS 3.0 (Liberty Global is also preparing to trial DOCSIS 3.1, cable’s multi-gigabit platform for HFC networks, next year).
Liberty Global said it developed the device in partnership with Arris and Compal, uses software from Celeno to optimize its WiFi performance, and supports a “wizard” to assist with customer self-installs.
Liberty Global said the new WiFi and telephony gateway (an image of it is shown here) is now available to Telenet customers in Belgium and UPC customers in Romania and will be introduced by the rest of the MSO’s footprint in Europe “in the coming months.”
“Our next-generation WiFi and telephony gateway enables us to maximise the impact of our high-speed fiber networks across Europe by giving our customers a better, faster and even more reliable internet experience,” Doron Hacmon, managing director, products and online media group, at Liberty Global said in a statement. “ Our customers rightly demand seamless WiFi connectivity both in and out of the home, and we will continue to focus relentlessly on providing them with a best-in-class experience, wherever they happen to be.”
The MSO noted that it has rolled out a WiFi network of 6 million hotspots throughout its footprint , and expects to grow that to 10 million WiFi access points in 2016. Comcast, which has deployed 11.7 million hotspots, and Liberty Global struck a WiFi roaming deal last fall.
Update: Liberty Global supplied a statement with more details about its new gateway while also hinting at what's on the horizon with respect to DOCSIS 3.1:
“Our new Wifi and voice gateway will enable broadband download speeds of up to 1 Gbp, based on the successful Docsis 3.0 technology and the powerful WIFI AC standard that allows concurrent use of both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz spectrum. With the new device we are deploying technology that is fit for the future so that we can deliver higher performance and reliability to our customers. This includes the possibility for higher speeds and a considerably better wifi performance, such as a larger wifi range in the home, better Internet throughput and a new customer-friendly user interface – all in a cost-effective way. With a proven track record of customer focused innovation, we stay committed to continually developing new and better solutions for our customers. This means that once enhanced technologies that allow new features and functionality such as Docsis 3.1 mature and become cost-effectively available, we will deploy them.”
