Wifi Revolution

Verizon (News - Alert) is upgrading the capabilities of its in-home network equipment, adding new custom-built routers made by Actiontec and Westell that will boost in-home speeds over coaxial cable to up to 175 Mbps from the current 75 Mbps, and allow operation of multiple simultaneous in-home Wi-Fi networks.

 

Some immediately will note that there is no need for that much speed when the access connection doesn't run that fast. True, but there will be more of a need to create in-home sub-networks, creating four 43 Mbps virtual wireless LANs in the house. That might be useful for walling off networks used by children in the house. It might be just as important as a way of creating secured home office networks and content sharing networks as well.

 

One way of ensuring quality operation of real-time networks is to create separate virtual LANs that do not have to contend with traffic generated by all other devices on the network, such as printers and PCs, for example. A voice or communications VLAN ensures better quality by giving the real-time traffic its own dedicated network.

 

What Verizon is deploying does the same thing for a consumer user.

 

The new routers will use the MoCA 1.1 standard that not only increases the speed of signals over coaxial cable in the home, but in many case eliminates the need for use of Ethernet connections to additional PCs, because an even broader, faster signal can be provided over coax already in place. This simplifies installation for both the Verizon technician and the customer.

 

In addition, the MoCA 1.1 distribution technology increases to 15 from seven the number of set-top boxes or other devices that can operate simultaneously on the coax portion of the FiOS (News - Alert) home network.

 

The new routers will be ready for deployment in the third quarter.  

 

"Verizon is already well into the second generation of technology for our fiber-to-the-home access network, and it's time to upgrade the home network technology as well, with broadband home routers that pack an unmatched degree of speed and service punch," says Brian Whitton, executive director, access network design and integration.

 

The new equipment includes the MI424-WR by Actiontec and the UltraLine (r) Series 3 model 9100 by Westell, both custom-built for FiOS to Verizon specifications. The new routers support up to four Wi-Fi networks.

 

Quality of service controls to give traffic preference to critical services like voice or security devices are built in. The devices also support simultaneous networked data services, possibly including home security, home monitoring, network security and other applications.

 

The new routers also support media sharing between home devices, such as between TVs and PCs, media servers, and other consumer electronics, using DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) and Universal Plug and Play standards.

 

They will also enable modular expansion using a USB interface, so that shared storage servers, printers, peripherals and other devices can be added when desired. In addition, Verizon required the vendors to shield the devices from electric power surges and make them energy efficient.

 

Make no mistake: the new routers are designed to be a platform for introducing new services. Among the new possibilities are services that use the Internet for content delivery, and the TV for display.

 

 

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