text: Introduction of VoIP Over Cable Cable operators are busy optimizing the existing bandwidth in their networks to deliver high-speed Internet access and are turning their efforts to delivering integrated Internet and voice service over the same cable spect
  Introduction of VoIP Over Cable
  Cable operators are busy optimizing the existing bandwidth in their networks to deliver high-speed Internet access and are turning their efforts to delivering integrated Internet and voice service over the same cable spectrum. Voice (and fax) service over these cable networks is referred to in this tutorial as cable-based Internet protocol (IP) telephony. This technology, targeted primarily at the home, poses many of the same challenges faced by telecom carriers as they work to deliver to enterprise voice and fax over other types of packet networks such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and frame relay.
  VoIP Solution with software
  Voice over IP (VoIP) provides many benefits for all levels of users, from networking equipment manufacturers and designers who are providing next-generation equipment to service providers, who are marketing these services to business and home users. IP phones transport voice using data packets instead of circuit-switched connections over voice-only networks. Enterprise IP phones are desktop business phones that deliver richly featured, low-cost telephony services by leveraging the corporate data networking infrastructure (LAN). IP-based communications systems must address users across the entire enterprise, given the continuing migration from proprietary PBX phone systems to IP-based enterprise telephony systems.
  The Packet Voice Over Cable
  There is no ATM capability, so VOIP is the only possibility. Although there are some similarities in capability to DSL, there are probably more differences. The major similarity is that cable operators can deploy an MGCP ATA that has access to a guaranteed QOS channel to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) and core network. This uses the CableLabs DOCSIS 1.1 QOS system between the cable modem and the CMTS. The standard specifies client ATAs or multimedia terminal adapters (MTAs), which can be standalone or more often embedded with a cable modem in an integrated telephony cable modem (ITCM). And, like the residential routing gateway, the NAT/firewall router can be integrated as well, creating what at least one vendor calls a cable access router. At the edge of the HFC access network, the CMTS terminates the DOCSIS systems and forwards traffic to a B-RAS or edge router.
  VoIP Mediant for Cable Network
  Now that CATV has achieved high penetration rates, Multiple System Operators (MSOs) of cable broadband networks need to offer "triple play" data, voice and video bundled services to ensure ongoing profitability from high-value customers. Audio Codes' solutions address multiple network architecture options, equipping NEPs to meet MSO migration, cost, timing, and risk concerns in deploying cable telephony. For cable operators, offering voice and bundled services can yield higher revenues and reduced churn. AudioCodes' cable access gateways help make this possible, and protect valuable infrastructure investments with open and scalable platforms that enable differentiation and interoperability with multiple network architecture alternatives.
  Voice over Cable Market with New Technologies
  Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) today announced the availability of its advanced voice-over-cable (VoCable) chipset and new Wideband DOCSIS reference design which will help drive the continued global growth of Voice over IP (VoIP). TI is the leading supplier of VoCable semiconductors and software, and its latest innovations provide the foundation for enhanced broadband services over cable to homes worldwide.TI's DSP-based TNETC47xx (Puma-4) VoCable chipset incorporates advancements to process cellular codecs, setting the stage for fixed mobile convergence with phones that operate on cellular or VoIP connections, depending on the user's choice and proximity to either network. Additionally, its low bit-rate codecs for conferencing channels use half the bandwidth currently consumed for multi-user calls, saving bandwidth for other applications while maintaining high data rates.
  VoIP Software for Comcertro Family
  Mindspeed Technologies, Inc, a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for network infrastructure applications, today announced a suite of VoIP-over-Cable software for its Comcerto voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) processor family. The new software combined with Comcerto Series processors offers the industry?s most highly optimized family of semiconductor solutions for implementing CableLabs®? PacketCable? initiative for advanced, real-time digital multimedia services over two-way cable plant. Built on the industry's highly successful cable modem infrastructure, PacketCable and PacketCable Multimedia networks use IP technology to enable a wide range of multimedia services, such as IP telephony, multimedia conferencing, interactive gaming, and general multimedia applications.
  The Comcerto VoIP Over Cable Software
  The addition of a comprehensive new suite of PacketCable-based codecs and other voice-over-cable software enables Mindspeed to bring Comcerto's carrier-class voice quality and low-latency processing performance to enterprise IP-PBX and large media gateways. Comcerto's Voice-over-Packet feature set incorporates the full range of PacketCable codecs including G.711, G.728, iLBC, G.729e and T.38 Fax relay along with support for, TTY/TTD, RTCP and G.168-2002-compliant echo cancellation. The software suite also includes Mindspeed's proprietary zero-delay implementation of the G.711 Appendix 1 PLC, and an adaptive jitter buffer for optimized performance.
  Voice over cable: hits its stride
  The paths are varied, but MSOs have one common goal: Add voice to the arsenal. With cable companies aggressively making due on their promise to add voice to their arsenal, the beachhead is set for a battle between the RBOCs and MSOs. Certainly, cable operators of all sizes have chosen some form of voice service as the primary triple threat target. According to data gathered from the NCTA (National Cable Telecommunications Association) and Merrill Lynch, there were 2.6 million residential cable telephony subscribers as of Q1 2003, and that number is expected to boom. Deployments are happening worldwide, and not just of plain vanilla voice, but also VoIP and other converged IP services. Time Warner Cable, for example, has just begun its deployment of Cisco's softswitch in its Portland, Maine, division for primary line residential service.
  The Companies team to provide voice over cable
  Net2Phone already sells wireless VoIP services to cable providers that are based on the Session Initiation Protocol, along with other cable-based phone services via a standard known as PacketCable. But the company says it can lower cable companies' overhead for providing phone services using Level 3's technology. Under a deal announced Monday, Net2Phone will use Level 3's VoIP-enhanced residential phone offering as an addition to its existing cable phone services. Net2Phone said the Level 3 partnership will complement its existing relationship with IDT Solutions, under which the companies sell local and long-distance phone services in U.S. metropolitan markets. Along with the Level 3 package, Net2Phone will also market its own VoIP Enhanced Local bundle, which includes local calling.
  The Nuera Gateway for Voice over Cable Deployment
  Nuera Communications, Inc. today announced that Essent Kabelcom, the second largest cable company in the Netherlands, has deployed the ORCA RDT-8v Voice-over-IP (VoIP) broadband access gateway as part of its ongoing delivery of voice-over-cable services. Essent, a leading Dutch cable and broadband communications provider, is using the RDT-8v to connect its VoIP broadband access equipment to its Class 5 switch and the public switched telephone network. Essent currently offers voice, data, radio, and TV services to 1.7 million customers in the consumer market and the business sector. With the implementation of the RDT-8v, Essent transitions its voice network from Constant Bit Rate (CBR) to VoIP and therefore, offers its first converged service. Nuera provides a reliable and proven system that allows us to run a more efficient and profitable network," said Bert Meijerink, COO, Essent "We look forward to continue operating our converged VoIP network, and will continue to deliver the highest quality to our customers.
  Voice Over Cable Chip For VoIP Services
  Broadcom has announced a new voice over cable chip designed to provide improved performance and reliability to voice over cable modem customer premise equipment. Incorporating Broadcom's voice over IP (VoIP) on Enhanced RISC processor architecture, the BCM3368 chip can simplify and accelerate the development of VoIP solutions. According to Broadcom, the chip's RISC architecture, delivering 800 DMIPS of computational power, supports the implementation of multi-line voice solutions without requiring a dual processor. By reducing the component count on primary multi-line voice over cable modems by over 20%, the BCM3368 can be used to build more affordable and more reliable voice over cable products. With the introduction of the BCM3368, cable operators are now able to cost effectively deploy voice-ready cable modems to every broadband subscriber," Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group senior vice president and general manager Daniel Marotta said in a statement.
  The Warner Deploys VoIP Cable
  Time Warner Cable could be leading the charge into delivering voice services over cable modem links with the release of a voice-over-IP service to customers in Portland, Maine. It has been forecast in the communication market that cable operators would look to gain market share from existing telecom operators by delivering VoIP services over their cable plant. But costs associated with implementing these solutions and a tough economy have pushed most cable operators to focus on digital TV and cable modem service. With Time Warner, one of the nation's largest cable operators, rolling out services, interest in VoIP could once again be growing in the cable sector. With Digital Phone, Time Warner is able to offer combined local, in-state, and long-distance calling at a flat rate which will translate into substantial savings for customers," predicted Gerry Campbell, senior vice president at Time Warner.
  Nortel Cable Voice over IP Solution
  Adelphia Communications Corporation, the fifth largest cable television corporation in the United States, has selected voice over IP (VoIP) solutions and Global Services from Nortel to extend a suite of telephone services to residential customers in selected Adelphia markets. Nortel's PacketCable voice over IP and professional services not only meet our requirements, but also have a proven track record and solid reputation in the industry for helping drive new revenue opportunities," said Marwan Fawaz, chief technology officer, Adelphia. As the competition heats up to capture more subscribers and keep pace with new technologies, our cable customers like Adelphia continue to look at voice over IP technologies to give subscribers the best of the Internet with the best of today's telephone network," said Dan Mondor, general manager, Global Cable Solutions, Nortel.