NXTcomm: ZyXEL announces new ADSL 2+ gateway

ZyXEL today announced an ADSL 2+ gateway with built-in HomePlug AV Powerline and Wi-Fi capabilities.

The new system enables service providers to deploy more quickly without having to be as concerned about inside wiring, said David Thompson, senior product manager for CPE, ADSL and G.SHDSL for ZyXEL.

The HomePlug AV Powerline technology enables a home’s power lines and power outlets to serve as the in-home network for content. That reduces the need to run separate Ethernet cabling or use in-home phone lines, which may not run near where TV sets are sitting, he said. By putting that capability into the home gateway, ZyXEL has simplified things further.

“By having all this in one box, their wiring is a lot less,” Thompson said. “You send one box to the customer, and it is automatically up and running. He doesn’t have to figure out plugging a standalone AV box into the router.” Customers can still use the wireless and Ethernet ports in their gateways for voice and other applications, Thompson said.

“HomePlug AV has far more connections throughout the home at every plug,” he said. In addition, ZyXEL can customize the gateway to do HomePlug AV over either coax cables or phone lines, Thompson said.

By operating over the power lines, the service provider can also be certain the customer is not using the in-home network for their own networking, thus creating potential disrupters to IPTV service, Thompson said. In addition, the integrated gateway approach enables the service provider to use the DSL Forum’s TR-69 capabilities to manage the in-home network—something that isn’t possible with a standalone HomePlug AV device.

The new boxes are available now and generally available in July, Thompson said.