HomePlug Powerline Alliance Announces Milestones

Organization Gains Momentum as HomePlug Becomes the Technology of Choice for Streaming IPTV

LONDON — At the IPTV World Forum, the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance, the driving force for global powerline network technology, today celebrated its 10th anniversary by announcing several key milestones. With HomePlug technology continuing to gain momentum for broadband, IPTV and triple-play services, the organization has added nine technology vendors and utility companies to its roster, and is nearing the completion of the new Green PHY (GP) specification for Smart Grid applications.

HomePlug and HomePlug AV devices currently account for more than 75 percent of the world’s broadband powerline communications market, with over 45 million devices sold to date and shipments forecasted to reach 60 million by year’s end. More than 50 of the world’s leading service providers are already utilizing HomePlug technology to deploy broadband, IPTV and triple-play offerings. HomePlug products take advantage of the most universal wired communications medium (a home’s existing electrical wiring) to reliably deliver audio and video without packet loss – which is ideal for streaming IPTV throughout a home.

“The HomePlug Powerline Alliance has maintained its leadership in the broadband powerline industry for 10 years and is now evolving to enable the latest broadband and Smart Grid applications,” said Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. “We support the industry’s first international powerline standard (IEEE 1901), and we continue to increase and diversify our membership while expanding our technology roadmap by completing the Green PHY (GP) specification for Smart Grid applications.”

Growth of the alliance continues with new members added in the silicon supplier, service provider and OEM categories; such broad diversity is necessary for complete industry representation and a global HomePlug ecosystem. New members include: Atheros Communications, Inc.; Broadcom Corporation; D-Link Systems, Inc.; ETSA Utilities; Kawasaki Microelectronics America, Inc.; Marvell Semiconductor; Polaris Networks; Sigma Designs, Inc. and Western Digital Corporation.

For Smart Grid applications, the HomePlug Alliance is developing HomePlug GP, a powerline specification targeting low power, cost-optimized solutions such as HVAC thermostats, smart meters, home appliances and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PEHV). Since HomePlug GP is derived from HomePlug AV, it will be fully interoperable with the new IEEE 1901 Draft Powerline Standard. Major utility companies, including Duke Energy, are supporting HomePlug by giving direct input into the specification requirements, helping optimize the technology for real world deployments.

The HomePlug Alliance also operates the powerline networking industry’s largest Compliance and Interoperability (C&I) Certification Program to ensure true multi-vendor compliance and interoperability. The program has certified more than 200 products and will also begin certifying IEEE 1901 products in Q2 2010.

HomePlug is the official Exhibition Guide Sponsor of IPTV World Forum, taking place March 25-27 at Olympia National Hall in London. Several HomePlug members will be exhibiting HomePlug powerline networking solutions for IPTV, including: Atheros Communications, Inc. (Stand 121), devolo AG (Stand 43), LEA (Stand 153) and Sigma Designs, Inc. (Stand 13). Additionally, HomePlug’s president, Rob Ranck, will be speaking on the Connected Home panel on Thursday, March 25. This panel will address connecting the home, the battle for the home and unclaimed revenue opportunities for operators, as well as standards and opportunities.