Comcast, Arris Open Up Gateway Deployment

Arris said it has begun to deploy a new DOCSIS 3.0-powered gateway with Comcast that supports 802.11ac WiFi, IP video and integrated home automation and security, and represents a component of the MSO’s new “XB3” service.

The Arris TG1682 can bond 24 downstream channels (enough to support bursts of up to 960 Mbps in North American DOCSIS systems that use 6MHz-wide channels), two analog voice lines, a four-port Gigabit router, MoCA 2.0, and and a dual-band 802.11ac WiFi access point.

The deployment announcement comes almost a year after Comcast and Arris said they would collaborate on a trial of a broadband-enabled version of the Reference Design Kit (RDK) running on the Arris TG1682. The RDK, a preintegrated software stack originally developed for video set-tops and gateways, is being extended (via a project commonly referred to as “RDK-B”) to support DOCSIS-based broadband modems and all-service gateways.

"We are committed to providing our customers with the best, fastest in-home Wifi experience, and the XB3 is a powerful tool for delivering on that commitment," Ken Klaer, SVP of premises technologies at Comcast, said in a statement. "ARRIS has been a valuable partner in our effort to continually evolve the high-speed data experience for our customers."

"We are pleased to work with Comcast to launch the TG1682 as part of their XB3 service," added Larry Robinson, president, customer premises equipment at Arris.

"We are committed to continue introducing additional advanced broadband devices based on this new software ecosystem to make our customers more competitive. We will continue to invest in these solutions during this very exciting and dynamic time in the industry."