Canadian operator Rogers Communications has begun to deploy a DOCSIS 3.1 gateway from Hitron that’s initially being used to support broadband subs on some of the MSO’s highest-level speed tiers, including its 1-Gig offering.
Rogers hasn’t formally announced the rollout, but a Rogers network architect has posted some details about it on the operator’s community forum, and Rogers broadband subs have begun to post images and other details about the new device on the DSL Reports message boards.
Per the Rogers forum posting, the device in question is the Hitron CODA-4582, a DOCSIS 3.1 gateway that uses the Intel Corp. Puma 7 chipset. Hitron’s D3.1 device recently obtained certification from CableLabs.
RELATED: Hitron ‘Coda-45’ Modem Nets DOCSIS 3.1 Certification
“From a technical perspective, there is still a lot of testing going on and some enhancements are already planned to be deployed between not and the end of January,” the post read, noting that the device isn’t yet IPv6-enabled but should be in the January release.
The post also notes that the Hitron device will available in stores starting Dec. 13, and will be the “new default” product for Rogers Gigabit customers. Current subs on Rogers’s 1-Gig and “250u” (250 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps up with unlimited data) “Ignite” tiers “should be able to swap their existing gateway without issues,” the posting adds.
Rogers has been asked for additional detail about the rollout as well as pricing on the Hitron gateway.
UPDATE: A Rogers official confirmed that the operator has begun to deploy DOCSIS 3.1 on its network while also making the new HItron gateway availalbe. "This week, starting with our Gigabit Internet customers, we're inviting them to swap their existing modem (free of charge) for the new modem that will offer more capacity for faster speeds, more robust performance and more capacity to support our customers’ growing needs," the official added in an email to Multichannel News. Regarding availability through Rogers stores, the MSO is not selling the Hitron device at retail but letting gigabit customers swap out their existing modems at those outlets.
South of Roger’s border, Netgear is gearing up for the retail release of its first DOCSIS 3.1-certified device, the CM1000. Comcast and Cox Communications have already approved it for use on their networks. Arris is also getting ready to offer a D3.1 modem, the SurfBoard 8200, at retail.
