HGI Expands Portfolio with New Ecodesign and Multi Session Support Documents

The Home Gateway Initiative (HGI) announced the ratification of two key documents focusing on ecodesign in home networking and home gateway traffic management.

The first document helps to further enhance HGI’s energy efficiency portfolio of work and is a big step towards bringing ecodesign to home networking by facilitating energy efficient, reusable power supplies.

The document is part of the HGI’s Release 3 specification family and has been produced by the HGI’s Energy Efficiency Task Force. The document has already been liaised to ETSI where it will form the basis of a new European series of standards. HGI’s work is also expected to directly influence work in this area at the ITU-T and IEC.

The second document sets technical requirements that will increase the reliability of the home gateway when handling some types of data traffic.

Founded in 2004, HGI is the world’s leading member-led organization devoted to translating broadband service providers’ service plans into published technology requirements for home enablers.

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Support for G.hn Grows Worldwide -- Homegrid Forum Adds New Members

HomeGrid Forum kicked off 2010 with a bang as it welcomed four new members to the global, non-profit trade group promoting the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union's (ITU-T) G.hn standardization efforts. HomeGrid Forum's new members include: Polaris Networks, Taiwan-based IC Plus Corp, the Institute for Information Industry (III) and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI). By joining HomeGrid Forum, these companies are recognizing the importance of G.hn as the single unified standard for wired home networking in the global marketplace as the technology draws closer to silicon shipment in 2010.

The members of the ITU-T's G.hn Rappatour Group have created a specification for a single MAC/PHY technology which can run over coaxial cable, phone lines, or power lines. Consumer electronics manufacturers will be able to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house. G.hn participants include service providers, consumer electronics and information technology manufacturers, and component and intellectual property providers from around the world.

For the full press release, click here.

Telefónica Joins HomeGrid Forum Board of Directors

HomeGrid Forum, a global, non-profit trade group promoting the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union's G.hn standardization efforts, announced that one of the largest telecommunications service providers in Europe and Latin America -- Telefónica -- has been appointed to the organization's board of directors. This announcement confirms the growing importance and broadening adoption of G.hn as the next-generation global standard for wired home networking.

The G.hn standard is designed to deliver a unified technology for the wired home network that addresses key issues of service providers, electronics manufacturers, and consumers alike. Through one worldwide standard, G.hn will unify the networking of content and devices over any wire -- coax cable, phone, and power lines. G.hn enables service providers to deploy new offerings, including IPTV, more cost effectively; allows electronics manufacturers to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house; and greatly simplifies consumer purchasing and installation processes.

The addition of Telefónica to the HomeGrid board is evidence of the increasing support from telecommunications carriers around the world. Telefónica's global reach throughout Europe and Latin America, along with their endorsement of the standard, increases the momentum for the adoption of G.hn on a global scale.

Telefónica joins a growing list of industry-leading organizations that are part of HomeGrid Forum. Global leaders in the service provider, computing, and consumer electronics industries also support the adoption of G.hn through their participation in the ITU-T.

For a complete list of HomeGrid Forum members, visit www.homegridforum.org.