Louisville, Colorado, October 5, 2011—In a significant accomplishment, cable industry technology suppliers working with CableLabs® successfully completed voice calls over networks employing Internet Protocol Version 6, the next-generation Internet addressing scheme that will support a wide range of advancements in communications and entertainment services.

During a CableLabs-hosted interoperability event (or "interop") in September, two separate calls involving IPv6 interoperability were completed:

• A PacketCable™ 2.0 SIP call between a PacketCable 2.0 E-DVA (embedded Digital Voice Adapter) and Session Border Controller over IPv6
• A PacketCable 2.0 SIP call between an IPv6 E-DVA and IPv4 E-MTA (embedded Multimedia Terminal Adapter)

Both calls were completed during a two-week IPv6 interoperability event Sept. 19-30. The event was the seventh in a series of IPv6 interoperability events hosted by CableLabs.

The successful tests are important in that they signal the ability of cable technology to support calling across both the existing Internet addressing protocol, IPv4, and the emerging IPv6 protocol that will become the fundamental underpinning for current and future large-scale communications services and IP devices.

About IPv6

IPv6 is the next-generation Internet Protocol. It offers significantly more IP addresses than the current version, IPv4, which is widely expected to become exhausted next year. Cable operators are planning to offer IPv6 to customers as a platform that allows them to continue enjoying innovative communication and entertainment services.

"We're very excited about the progress demonstrated at this event. IPv6 is a very important technology for cable operators, and it is encouraging to see such a strong commitment from device manufacturers," said Chris Donley, Project Director - Network Protocols at CableLabs.

Representatives from 16 companies worked together to test IPv6 interoperability in a range of products including: DOCSIS® 3.0 cable modems, DOCSIS 2.0+IPv6 cable modems, cable modem termination systems, PacketCable E-DVAs, e-set-top boxes, provisioning servers, home gateways, consumer electronics devices, and Carrier Grade NAT servers.

Companies that participated in the interop included: A10 Networks, Alcatel Lucent, ARRIS, Broadcom, Casa Systems, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, GENBAND, Huawei, Incognito Software, Intel, Juniper Networks, LG Electronics, Motorola, Netgear, and ST Microelectronics.

Participants also tested DOCSIS and PacketCable IPv6 provisioning, Internet video streaming, eRouter and standalone home router configuration, and interoperability with consumer electronics equipment and PCs running Windows XP, Windows 7, Mac OS X, and Linux. In addition, suppliers tested NAT444 and Dual-Stack Lite, two important IPv4/IPv6 coexistence technologies.

CableLabs' interoperability events provide vendors with an informal laboratory setting in which they have the opportunity to test their latest products within CableLabs' headends and testing environment, determine compliance with industry specifications and demonstrate the ability of their products to interoperate with other devices in an end-to-end system.

About CableLabs: Cable Television Laboratories (www.cablelabs.com) was founded in 1988 by members of the cable television industry. A non-profit research and development consortium, CableLabs delivers innovations that enable cable operators to be the providers of choice in their markets. Cable operators from around the world are members. CableLabs maintains additional web sites at www.cablenet.org and www.ebif.tv.

CableLabs® is a registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Other CableLabs marks are listed at http://www.cablelabs.com/certqual/trademarks. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.