Thursday, February 21,2008 @ 1:05pm
Motorola announces DOCSIS 3.0 modems
Though typically associated with cellphones, Motorola has announced its very first collection of modems based on the DOCSIS 3.0 standard, which has yet to deploy in any wide fashion in North America but can dramatically increase the possible bandwidth of cable Internet connections. Aimed at the average consumer is the SURFboard SB6120, which permits as much as 160Mbps in standard DOCSIS mode, or 195Mbps under Euro-DOCSIS; because of its internal design, this works without the need for hybrid support by cable operators.
Unlike some recent modems the 6120 is also compliant with all DOCSIS 3.0 standards, including full channel bonding, IPv6, and greater encryption. It should moreover be easily installable by home users, as the rear is clearly color-coded. The modem will initially be sold by cable ISPs, however, at an unknown date.