Powerline technology from DS2 and Comtrend for SingTel's mio TV

Enables a secure and reliable ‘plug and play’ home network for quick access to content; Fast data transfer rate up to 200Mbps – even in high-density areas

VALENCIA, Spain — DS2 and Comtrend Corporation today announced that Comtrend’s Power Grid 902 adapter, based on DS2’s Aitana powerline communication chipset, has been selected by Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) [Singapore: SGX; Australia: ASX] to create a secure and reliable home network to deliver quick and convenient access to content and entertainment on SingTel’s IPTV service, mio TV. DS2 is a leading technology innovator in next generation wireline technology based on the G.hn standard for a single wired home network and a global supplier of Universal Powerline Association (UPA) compatible circuits for Digital Home, Smart Grid and Ethernet over Coax applications. Comtrend Corporation is the leading provider of home networking solutions for service providers.

SingTel’s mio TV service is a 24-hour pay TV service. It offers multi-room connectivity with a Set-Top Box with or without a Digital Video Recording (DVR) feature. Each Set-Top Box is connected to an ADSL2+ modem and a SingTel telephone line. The service will now offer Comtrend’s Power Grid 902 adapter, based on DS2’s Aitana chipset, as a local network bridge for ‘plug and play’ home networking. Each adapter features an integrated power socket that saves the subscribers’ wall outlet for other uses and includes a mains filter for greater reliability.

“Working with key suppliers to large service providers, DS2 has designed features that are specifically required for the IPTV market. DS2 technology optimises performance to guarantee maximum data rate in high-density areas like Singapore,” said Jorge Blasco, President and CEO of DS2. He added: “DS2’s 200Mbps UPA-complaint powerline communications technology provides a reliable and scalable home networking solution that will interoperate with our next generation DSS9960 chipset which we are designing to comply with the emerging ITU G.hn standard. Our technology offers scalability, safeguards the operator’s investment and ensures that SingTel customers will enjoy a better TV service.”

DS2’s Aitana chipset was designed for service provider IPTV applications. It offers a maximum PHY data transfer rate of 200Mbps. Powered by DS2´s SPIRIT firmware, Aitana provides advanced capabilities, such as TR069-compliant remote management, offering SingTel the option to manage devices in the subscriber’s home network. It also includes programmable Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure that voice and video services get higher priority than data services to ensure maximum performance for all applications.

“We are delighted that SingTel has chosen powerline communication technology from Comtrend and DS2 for its mio TV service,” said Sam Liu, President, Comtrend Corporation. “Comtrend has extensive knowledge and expertise of the powerline market and this partnership is an example of how this expertise, coupled with our customer service, manufacturing capability and cost effectiveness, combine to offer tailored solutions that enable network operators to offer enhanced services and greater choice to their customers.”