DS2 Introduces 400Mbps Powerline Communications Technology

  • Launch Event and Demos in New York City next month, November 2007

Valencia, SPAIN - 18th October 2007 - DS2 announced today that it has developed technology that will allow next generation powerline products to operate at a peak data rate of 400Mbps. This milestone will enable the development of new HD-capable multimedia applications, such as multi-channel HD-IPTV delivery or multi-room PVR.

Demonstrations of the 400Mbps powerline technology will be featured at the invitation-only technology launch in New York City next month, November 2007.    

DS2 400Mbps technology will be available in next generation products from DS2 on time to satisfy the demands for extra bandwidth in the digital home and last mile applications that most analysts predict will happen from 2009 onwards. Next generation multimedia applications including multi-room IPTV and HDTV networked entertainment services, networked PVRs (personal video recorders) and multiple video streams will require bandwidth sufficient to support five or more simultaneous video streams.

A recent study from the Diffusion Group on "Bandwidth Challenges to the Digital Home" (2007), confirmed that the need for bandwidth sufficient to deliver at least three HDTV and two SDTV streams to the home is foreseen as early as 2009.

DS2's 400Mbps technology will be compatible with existing 200Mbps products from DS2, ensuring a seamless migration path for existing users and designs, and will comply with the evolving standards. This quantum leap in performance is slated for 2009.

Jose Calero, CTO at DS2, stated: "Increased bandwidth requirements for multimedia networking applications is one of the key requirements that suppliers to the home networking, networked entertainment and last-mile BPL markets are looking for from future technology specifications. We are well on the way to developing our 3G technology to ensure that suppliers will have the products available to meet the demand for multimedia applications in the future. These results are very exciting and demonstrate that we will be able to achieve the rates required to sustain the multimedia applications of the future over powerline or coax."

The new technology builds on the success of DS2's 200Mbps technology, already deployed and tested by leading operators  that include Belgacom, British Telecom, Portugal Telecom, Telefonica, Telecom Italia and Telia Sonera; global electricity utilities such as Endesa, Electricite de France, and Iberdrola and vendors of networking products, including Buffalo, D-Link, Comtrend, Corinex Communications and Netgear. During 2008 DS2's roadmap includes the delivery of additional features in the 200Mbps technology, as well as reducing manufacturing costs, to give DS2 the edge in meeting customer demand for increased customisation of today’s powerline enabled multimedia applications.

DS2 will continue to maintain its low-cost leadership with this 400Mbps generation as well.

About DS2
DS2 is a global leader in semiconductors for Powerline Communications and the world's leading supplier of the 200Mbps technology that enables home networking and broadband access over powerline, coaxial cable, and telephone wire. DS2 pioneered the industry with the introduction of its 200Mbps chipsets, creating the fastest and highest performance solution for simultaneous data, digital audio and high-definition video transmission. Two pre-eminent industry groups, the Universal Powerline Association (UPA) and the European Union consortium OPERA (Open PLC European Research Alliance) have adopted DS2 technology in support of multi-vendor standard certified product. For more information, please visit www.ds2.es  

Ann Whyte
DS2
Tel:+ 34 96 136 60 04
ann.whyte@ds2.es

Manuela Whittaker
The PressOffice, PR for DS2
Tel: +44(0)1780 721433
mwhittaker@pressoffice.targetwire.com


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