The wireless industry is experiencing a seismic shift in usage patterns from primarily voice usage to data. This shift represents a window of opportunity for the cable industry to enter the wireless market segment with competitive product offerings for wireless data services. CableLabs members have recognized this opportunity and are aggressively developing products and services for wireless data. In support of these efforts, CableLabs has formed a Wireless program to focus on helping the MSO community integrate wireless technology with existing cable infrastructure to create a new growth opportunity for the cable industry.

In particular the program aims to:

• Enable a common cable industry cross-MSO wireless service that facilitates a new growth area to offer a quad play with nationwide roaming options for data.
• Develop the technology essentials necessary to build a strong MSO wireless federation. This technology includes common areas of requirements on both the edges (wireless clients and home or public Wi-Fi gateways) and the core wireless networks (inter-operator authentication and accounting).

By focusing on wireless data services, the cable industry and CableLabs can leverage its vast expertise in building and operating large scale IP access networks. Putting in place a robust wireless IP data network will provide the foundation for delivery of any IP based service to any device over any network.