Broadcom Adds VoIP Telephony and Home Networking Technology to Industry-Leading DOCSIS Cable Modem Chip

Business Wire, Sept 19, 2000

Business Editors and Technology Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2000

Revolutionary IC Enables Cable Operators Worldwide to Effectively

Deliver Primary-Line VoIP Telephone, High-Speed "Always On" Cable

Modem and Home Networking Services Using a Single Device

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM), the leading provider of integrated circuits enabling broadband communications, today announced the BCM3352, the world's first single-chip Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable modem solution that addresses the ultra low power, extreme temperature, and 99.999% reliability requirements for primary-line Internet Protocol (IP) cable telephony.

"This breakthrough single-chip solution represents a significant step in the creation of the residential broadband gateway, a device that will enable entire new classes of consumer services and applications, from basic phone service to new household information appliances," said Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, President and CEO of Broadcom Corporation. "Our chip now opens the way for the deployment of low-cost broadband IP gateways, permanently attached to the side of homes, that deliver four lines of primary line digital telephone, IP video, home networking, and `always on' cable modem Internet services over cable systems and home phone lines."

The Broadcom(R) BCM3352 Four-Channel QAMLink(R) VoIP/Home Networking Residential Broadband Gateway IC will usher in broadband IP cable telephone, home networking, and broadband data connections as regular, simple to use, services offered by cable companies worldwide. Integrated HomePNA 2.0 technology eliminates wiring for additional telephone lines and high-speed data connections by providing a broadband connection over every existing phone line, and to every telephone jack connection in the home.

"The BCM3352 will make digital broadband telephone and high-speed data services as easy as plugging into the existing telephone line," said Tim Lindenfelser, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Broadband Communications Business Unit. "Now every cable operator in the world can provide easy to manage "plug and play" access to broadband cable services through the use of this DOCSIS cable modem IC."

"The future of cable modems will become a significant opportunity as the integrated modem chips that are used in this customer premise equipment is projected to grow from $140 million in 1999 to $570 million in 2003," said Sean Lavey, Senior Research Analyst with IDC. "Broadcom's introduction of the BCM3352 is a leading example of the type of advanced integration that will continue to occur in order to jumpstart the voice-enabled cable modem and home networking market."

"Broadcom's BCM3352 is at the forefront in the technology race for integrated broadband VoIP and home networking gateways," said Dan Moloney, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the IPNS Business Unit of the Motorola Broadband Communications Sector. "This highly integrated chip will help to enhance manufacturability and enable us to meet the industry price targets for our IP telephony products while providing superior performance and features."

The Broadcom BCM3352 achieves an unprecedented level of integration. It combines Broadcom's industry-leading and proven System-on-a-Chip expertise in DOCSIS broadband cable modems, HomePNA 2.0 home networking, a 200 MIPS Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a 4-Channel IP optimized voice CODEC, and IP security technology into a single-chip solution. The BCM3352 also supports the EuroDOCSIS specification, enabling customers to deploy products in the European market.

In addition, the BCM3352 attains the ultra low-power, high-performance, and outdoor temperature requirements outlined in the PacketCable(TM) specification and by major Multiple System Operators (MSOs), providing cable operators with the affordable gateway solution they are seeking for VoIP telephony, high-speed Internet service, home networking, and other IP services.

"The BCM3352 is providing Arris Interactive with the leading edge technology to meet the cost, power, and feature requirements for our PacketPort line of cable telephony products," said Oscar Rodriguez, COO and President of Arris Interactive. "Broadcom's unique ability to successfully integrate all of these technologies into a single chip now makes it economical for wide-scale deployment of IP telephony and home networking gateways."

"A BCM3352-based product will enable Comcast to offer a complete set of IP Broadband services to our customers with a single product," said Steve Craddock, Vice President, New Media Development of Comcast Corporation. "Primary line VoIP telephony is a huge growth opportunity for Cable and the BCM3352 is enabling this to be a reality."

The BCM3352 chip integrates Broadcom's 32 megabit per second (Mbps) iLine20(TM) HomePNA technology to expand the bandwidth capacity of existing home telephone wiring, enabling consumers to receive multiple digital services from their cable operator without any additional wiring. Real-world applications that will benefit from the single-chip solution include: