Thomson incorporates standardized home networking technology into DSL modems

Thomson has become the first vendor to incorporate standardized home networking capabilities into DSL modems. The Universal Plug and Play [UPNnP] standards organization has certified Thomson’s modems as compliant with its home networking guidelines, setting the stage for DSL modems that offer easy connections to network devices in the home.

Thomson’s products cover the gamut of home networking, including wired Ethernet links; universal serial bus [USB] interfaces and wireless Ethernet, said Karsten Verhaegen, director of business development and marketing for DSL, with Thomson Multimedia.

DSL modems, said Verhaegen, have come to be more than access points for high-speed data delivery.

“It makes a lot of sense to have that big bandwidth DSL connection shared across all the PCs in the household,” he said.

Networked PCs, he said, are the first step.

“UPNnP is already targeting things like a games console and maybe TVs,” he said. “Going further, there are activities looking into home automation, where you can connect all your home appliances to this network. The first step is a big need today to share the DSL connection across the devices in the home.”

Although Thomson, with its RCA, GE and Philips brands is a huge retail presence, its DSL products are distributed by telco providers.

“DSL service is always bundled with the modem,” Verhaegen said, in much the same manner that wireless carriers bundle handsets with subscriptions.