This year marks the return of Lightwave's Diamond Technology Reviews. As we have traditionally done, the 21st Diamond Technology Reviews will recognize innovation in DOCSIS 4.0 and PON-based fiber broadband, as well as the growing role of AI and software platforms in helping operators deliver a quality experience for their customers. 

Honorees will receive their Diamond Technology Review award during the TechExpo26 show in Atlanta, Georgia. As always, the Lightwave staff and our program judges were impressed with the ingenuity exemplified in this year’s high-scoring entries.

This year, our program followed the usual procedures: We invited vendors serving the standard broadband cable industry to submit information about products released or upgraded since last year’s SCTE's TechExpo (October 2025). We assigned each entry to at least three of our expert volunteer judges. To ensure fairness, the same panel reviewed similar products from different vendors.

Judges based scores/comments on written material provided by vendors and their experience with or knowledge of the specific technologies. Review panelists were informed that scores/ comments would remain anonymous.

Specifically, judges used the following scale to determine Diamond scores:

·       1.0-2.5: Not a valid product

·       3.0: Useful product, yet commodity

·       3.5: Solid product with viable attributes that set it apart

·       4.0-4.5: Excellent product with technical features and performance that provide clear and substantial benefits

·       5.0: Superb product that sets new standards for performance and/or breaks new ground

Each entry’s scores were averaged and rounded to the nearest full or half Diamond. Note that products are grouped by score (with the highest Diamonds ranking first) and then in alphabetical order. Scores of 3.5 or above are considered excellent and reflect a favorable panel opinion. Only products receiving a 3.5 or above are included in this publication. 

This year's entries emphasized helping cable operators get more juice from their existing HFC plant through 1.8-GHz capabilities and Remote PHY for fiber-deep deployments as they migrate to DOCSIS 4.0. This list also emphasizes tools to help cable operators enhance fiber-based PON network rollouts, including new cable products, fiber splicing, outside plant cabinets, software, video distribution and Wi-Fi. 

“Our 2026 Diamond Technology Review honorees once again showed how the cable industry is looking for ways to not only enhance speeds but also enhance the overall quality of experience for broadband consumers,” commented Lightwave Editor-in-Chief Sean Buckley.

However, the Diamond Technology Review would not have been possible without the judging panel. “We are grateful to our judges for taking the time to review all the entries quickly.”

2026 DIAMOND TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS JUDGES PANEL

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Sean Buckley, Editor-in-Chief, Lightwave

Hayden Beeson, Editor of ISE

Stephen Hardy, former Editor-in-Chief and editorial director of Lightwave

Tee Harton, senior director, RF engineering at Cox Communications

Jeff Heynen, Vice President, Broadband Access and Home Networking, Dell’Oro Group

Garinder Shankrowalia, Senior Analyst, Broadband Access, Omdia

Mark Woodworth, Managing Director, Magnolia Road Internet Cooperative

HERE ARE OUR HONOREES:

ACTIVE NETWORK HARDWARE 
EnerSys: XM Edge

BACK OFFICE
GOCare: OutageIQ

CABLING & ACCESSORIES
Sterlite Technologies (STL): Aerial Fiber Distribution Hub

DOCSIS
Technetix: XFO faceplate-only 1.8 GHz upgrade

FIELD TEST INSTRUMENTS
EXFO: FTB Lite 975 - Simplex, duplex, multi-fiber bidir certifier
VeEX: FX92 DWDM 100/50 GHz Optical Channel Checker for C-band
VeEX: FX160 FiberBEAST Automated Bidirectional OLTS and OTDR
VeEX: HX-1 Handheld HFC Installation & Maintenance Test Set
VeEX: MTX642 Dual Port 400G Test Set
VeEX: PX92 PON Analyzer & Multi-Gigabit Service QoE Test Set
VeEX: WX90 Wi-Fi Expert Test Toolkit

FTTH/OPTICAL ACCESS PLATFORMS
Vecima Networks: Entra vPON Manager for XGS-PON Platform

INSTALLATION & ENGINEERING SERVICES
AFL: Fujikura 100S Core Alignment Splicer

MONITORING & ANALYSIS
Ciena: Navigator Network Control Suite (NCS)
Vecima Networks: Entra Access Simulators
VeEX: RFTS-400 Remote Fiber Test System (RFTS)

SDN/NFV/CLOUD
Technetix: NeuronX
Vecima Networks: Entra vCMTS

VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS
Quortex: PowerVu

WI-FI SOLUTIONS
RouteThis: RAVA