HomeGrid Forum and the GiGAWire Alliance say they will provide a certification program for broadband access equipment based on the ITU-T G.hn standard. GIGAWire (sometimes "GIGA Wire") is the community-accepted name for the use of G.hn-based technology to support high-speed broadband delivery over copper-based infrastructure, particularly twisted-pair, coax, and power lines. It offers an alternative to such approaches as xDSL, G.fast, and MoCA.
The two groups, which have been collaborating since 2019, say the certification program will assure network operators that certified products are interoperable and conform to G.hn specifications. The organizations also expect the program will help the development of GIGAWire and related G.hn-based products to deliver broadband at transmission rates greater than a gigabit to large apartment complexes, office buildings, and single-family homes.
“Our new organization is dedicated to guaranteeing end-to-end coexistence and interoperability at all levels of broadband access technology. As part of this we are delighted to unveil our newest certification process and are now encouraging technology vendors to start submitting their applications, so we can support the continued development of advanced networking solutions that ensure a reliable, versatile backbone,” said Livia Rosu, Marketing Work Group Chair at HomeGrid Forum.
The two groups plan to hold a GiGAWire test event this March. “With the GiGAWire solution improving internet speeds up to 10 times over VDSL in the premises environment, where optical fiber cannot be deployed for technical or historical preservation reasons, this new effort will deliver huge benefits,” added Rosu. “As innovations continue to emerge, we will also expand our technical and marketing support across a widening portfolio of industries such as IoT, smart grids, and GiGAWire MDUs, to provide the best connectivity to meet the needs of our changing world.”