Cable operators already have purchased thousands of these modems and may buy hundreds of thousands more in order to meet the high market demand for such devices. Cable companies and manufacturers today are working toward an open standard that includes those proprietary portions that are available in licensing on a non-discriminatory basis. To spearhead this effort, CableLabs has been asked to coordinate the process which its members hope will result in specifications for these connection points, called interfaces. Leading U.S. and Canadian cable companies will be involved in this endeavor and hope to build upon the valuable early work done by the cable modem manufacturers and the lessons to be learned from deployment of various modems in 1996. These specifications will then be presented to recognized standards-setting bodies for approval as standards.
Several interfaces are within weeks of being specified.
One is the connection between the cable television modem and the computer. In addition, the link between cable networks and the next level of wider area networks is close to being identified. Some interfaces also reside within the cable network. Manufacturers who invest in technology early on, and who supply the early generations of modems for market entry, will have many opportunities to increase sales as interfaces are established, executives said. CableLabs will work with vendors and others on these intellectual property rights issues, to ensure a continuing supply of modems to meet the high early demand.